Plan Your Stay

HOST CITY  

Brisbane, the river city and capital of Queensland, is a bustling international metropolis. In the heart of the city is the conference venue and the Brisbane cultural precinct. South Bank is also Brisbane’s premier lifestyle destination, with 17 hectares of lush parkland, world-class cafes, restaurants, and stunning river views. Journey on the ferry to discover the business heart of the city, the University of Queensland, and the Queensland University of Technology with “The Cube,” one of the world’s largest interactive digital learning spaces. Follow the river to Moreton Bay, a Ramsar wetland and habitat for dugong, turtles, and migratory wader birds.
Brisbane and its people will embrace you and make you welcome. There is no shortage of things to do in this friendly and accessible city, a city that is the jumping-off place for five of Australia’s World Heritage Areas and the famous “outback,” and only 80 km from the surf and beaches of the Gold Coast.

IAIA is negotiating for lower conference rates at a number of hotels near the convention center. Information will be posted online as soon as it is available at www.iaia.org > IAIA19 > More Info.

Brisbane is a subtropical city. The warm days and cool evenings in April/May make dining out in Brisbane an especially enjoyable experience. Temperatures in autumn average 14°C to 28°C and most days are sunny.

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Visitors must have a valid visa and current passport for entry into Australia. A visa must be issued in the visitor’s own country and be entered in the passport before the travel date. An ongoing ticket out of Australia and proof of funds to sustain your stay may also be requested by immigration officials. New Zealand citizens do not require a visa.

For more information on applying for a visa or to apply online, visit www.immi.gov.au.

DOWNLOAD: General information for visa applicants – Fact Sheet

DONWLOAD: Business Conferences, Seminars, Trade Fairs and Expos – Fact Sheet

Most IAIA19 delegates will need one of the following visas:
Visitor (subclass 600)(Business stream) visa.  See www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/600-
Electronic Travel Authority – ETA (subclass 601).  See www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/601-
eVisitor visa (subclass 651)(Business Stream) See www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/651-

Be sure to make your visa applications early, as the process can take weeks to months in some cases. If you need a visa invitation letter, please contact info@iaia.orgno later than 5 April 2019. Requests received after this date will not be accommodated.  Registration and payment must be received by IAIAHQ before an invitation letter will be provided.  Please note that IAIA has no influence in visa application procedures or the approval/denial of individual applications by embassies.  All countries have different requirements; it is the sole responsibility of each delegate to inquire on the proper procedure from their country’s embassy in an effort to procure their visitor visa.

From the airport, board the Airtrain for a direct transfer to the city (20 minutes) or the South Brisbane Station, located at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Airtrain also links the domestic and international terminals. and links the domestic and international terminals.
Taxis are also available 24/7 from sheltered ranks right outside the domestic and international terminals.
 

The conference venue and South Bank and city hotels are within easy walking distance.
Visitors to Brisbane can travel on public transport across the city on one cashless ticket called a Go Card. The card is a touch-on touch-off system that can be used on the city’s buses, trains, CityCats and ferry services.
A CityHopper  ferry service  enables  delegates  to  discover  Brisbane  for free with  ferries  running  every  30 minutes  between  06:00  and  midnight,  seven  days  a  week.  The  CityHopper  travels  along the  Brisbane  River, stopping  at  eight  inner-city  locations  including  South  Bank  and  the  central  business  district.
Brisbane has a free loop bus service within the central business district. Taxi ranks are also available throughout the city.
Further information on public transport can be found at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/public-transport.

Businesses in the central business district normally trade the following hours:
Monday - Thursday:  09:00-17:30
Friday:  09:00-19:00
Saturday:  09:00-17:00
Sunday:  10:00-17:00
Banks generally operate from 09:30 to 16:30 weekdays. Some banks open on weekends.

Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, which includes restaurants, bars, shops and public transport.

The national currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD). ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) are commonly found throughout Queensland. Some banks’ ATMs will charge a small fee for withdrawing money.
Major credit cards are widely accepted with the most common being Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, and their affiliates. Traveller’s cheques are also accepted in Queensland; however, please note that some banks will charge a small fee for cashing travellers’ cheques. Currency exchange facilities are also available at international airports and in major city centers.

Tipping is not common in Australia and prices are inclusive of GST. Tipping is appreciated for exceptional service (generally 10% at restaurants and rounding up of taxi fares); however, it is not compulsory or expected.

The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three-pin power outlet is different from some other countries so an adaptor may be required.

A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% applies to most goods, services, and other items sold or consumed in Australia. This is included in the price. The Tourist Refund Scheme allows overseas visitors to claim a refund (subject to certain conditions), of the GST paid on goods bought in Australia and then taken out of Australia. Further information is available at www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/ente/tour/are-you-a-traveller. Overseas delegates will not be able to claim GST on IAIA19 conference registrations and fees. Delegates from Australia will be able to claim back GST on registrations where they are registered for GST, or if an organization is paying on their behalf, if the organization is registered for GST.

Visitor information centers can be found at Brisbane Airport, South Bank, and in the Queen Street Mall in the city.
Brisbane visitor information: www.visitbrisbane.com.au
What to see in Brisbane – one to five days:  www.choosebrisbane.com.au/~/media/choose/pdf/brisbanes_best_in_five_days_pdf.ashx
Queensland visitor & tourism information