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General information

This version was saved 15 years ago View current version     Page history
Saved by Sally Brown
on March 23, 2009 at 7:03:32 pm
 

Invitation

We extend a warm invitation to you to participate in the Research in Engineering Education Symposium being held at Palm Cove, North Queensland, Australia.

This is the third in the series, which began with the ICREE conference in Hawaii in 2007 followed by the first REES conference in Davos in 2008. 

Symposium Theme

The focus of this conference is “building an international community of engineering education researchers”. With papers from more than 20 countries, the conference is a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and to seek collaborative opportunities.  Sessions commence on Tuesday 21 July 2009.

Social Functions

·         Monday 20 July pm: Registration, Welcome Reception and BBQ at Novotel Palm Cove  (Additional tickets for partners are AUD$75)

·         Tuesday 21 July pm: Afternoon excursion to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures followed by Dinner (Additional tickets for partners are AUD$150 including transport and Dinner)

·         Wednesday 22 July pm: Skyrail to Kuranda followed by dinner at Paradise Palms Resort (Additional tickets for partners for the Skyrail are AUD$95 and for Dinner are AUD$110)

Palm Cove, North Queensland 

Set in North Queensland the Novotel Rockford Palm Cove Resort is just 20 minutes north of Cairns airport. Nestled among the thriving melaleuca trees, Palm Cove marks the point where the tropical waters of the Coral Sea meet the unspoilt rainforest.

Outdoor cafes, restaurants, bars, boutiques and convenience shops are scattered in the charming beach side village, just a brief walk from the Resort. With excellent weather all year round, you have the choice of unwinding in the spas that are abundant in the area, have a lazy lunch, or stroll comfortably on the beautiful beachfront.

The Venue – About Novotel Rockford Palm Cove

On a backdrop of gorgeous tropical landscaping, experience the comforts of Novotel Rockford Palm Cove Resort. With 202 Superior and Club Rooms, Executive and Premier Suites plus two bedroom apartments, there is comfort to suit your own preferred style of accommodation.  All have air-conditioning and ensuites with private balcony or terrace over looking the gardens, the Kuranda Ranges or one of the numerous swimming pools.

  Property Brochure

  Resort Map

The resort has an on-site tour booking desk, and all major tours to the Great Barrier Reef, Rainforest, Kuranda, Hot Air Ballooning, White Water Rafting, will pick-up and drop-off from the resort.

Other Facilities include:

  • Fitness Centre
  • 2 Tennis Courts
  • Squash Court
  • Basketball Court
  • Complimentary parking
  • Currency exchange office 
  • Dry Cleaning
  • Porter
  • Internet Access & Printer Facilities
  • Resort Shop
  • Hair Salon
  • Beauty Salon
  • Canecutters Restaurant & V-dining 
  • V Bar 
  • Conference facilities

Please note that some activities may incur a fee.

Flights

Take advantage of cheap flights and book early. Click on an airline of your choice below.

·         Virgin Blue Airlines

·         Qantas Airlines

·         Jetstar Airlines

Activities

Click below on the Palm Cove Travel Guide, a website containing vast information on various activities and information in Palm Cove.

·         Palm Cove Travel Guide

Currency and ATMs

The Australian currency is the Australian dollar (A$).  Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely available and local currency can be withdrawn using Cirrus or Maestro based cards that facilitate electronic funds, point of sale (EFPOS).

Credit Cards

Visa, MasterCard and Eurocard are widely accepted. American Express and Diners Club are accepted at many hotels and some restaurants.

Customs & Quarantine

Quarantine and wildlife regulations and other restrictions may also apply to certain goods. A customs entry for customs clearance may be required if the goods carried are valued over A$250. All travellers must declare amounts of A$10,000 or more in foreign or Australian currency (notes and coins) you take into or out of Australia. 

We recommend you check the Australian Customs Service web page.

Electricity

The electricity in Australia is 240 volts, 50 Hz. Overseas visitors will need an adapter plug.

GST – Goods and Services Tax

All goods and services transacted in Australia attract a Goods and Services Tax of 10%.  By law this tax is included in all displayed prices – so the price you see is the price you pay.

Visitors to Australia can claim back the GST paid on any purchase of at least A$300 from the one store.  This is done at the airport at the time of departure. You need proof of purchase (normal receipt) that shows the supplier’s ABN (Australian Business Number), that GST was paid on the goods, and how much the GST was.

Time Zone

Queensland is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT + 10).  Therefore it is 3 hrs behind Auckland, 1 hr ahead of Tokyo, 2 hrs ahead of Beijing and Singapore, 3 hrs ahead of Bangkok, 3.5 hrs ahead of Mumbai, 9 hrs ahead of Berlin, 9 hrs ahead of London, 14 hrs ahead of New York, 15 hrs ahead of Chicago, and 17 hrs ahead of Los Angeles – based on summer time in the Northern Hemisphere. Queensland is 14 hrs ahead of Santiago, 13 hrs ahead of Rio de Janeiro, and 8 hrs ahead of Cape Town.

Because Australia is on the other side of the International Date Line, you lose 1 day when traveling west from the U.S. You will gain one day upon return (across the Pacific).

Tipping

As a general rule Australian’s do not tip and there is no expectation to tip.

Visa

All visitors, apart from New Zealand citizens, must obtain a Visa before travelling to Australia.

Australia's Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an electronically-stored authority for travel to Australia for a short-term tourist or business entry. ETAs are issued within seconds of being requested through computer links between the Australian Immigration Department, travel agents, airlines and specialist service providers around the world. Over 30 countries have access to the ETA system. A recent innovative enhancement allows a traveller to apply for an ETA over the Internet. Conference delegates from non- ETA countries will need to obtain a business (short-stay) visa, even if some tourism activities are planned for part of the stay in Australia. It is called a 456 visa if it is issued as a label into a passport.

We strongly recommend you check the latest information on Department of Foreign Affairs.

Weather

July is winter in Australia.  The climate in Palm Cove is temperate and mild.  Average maximum for July is 24C (75F) and the average minimum is 16C (60F). 

Bring a jacket and light sweater for the cool evenings.

Cairns Region

The beautiful Cairns region offers something for everyone. It has a very diverse environment from white sandy open ocean beaches to World Heritage Listed rainforest. The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, the awesome heights of the Wet Tropics rainforest and the mighty vastness of the Outback will give you an experience you'll never forget.

With July temperatures usually ranging from 16-24 degrees, Cairns enjoys a tropical climate and an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. There are plenty of ways for delegates to kick back and relax in one of Australia’s favourite holiday destination.

Partners can enjoy the region’s holiday atmosphere – at theme parks, beaches, shopping centres and World Heritage areas.

Cairns

Cairns is the gateway city to the region and is a relaxed and tropical city which shows the visitor an enjoyable time. Close by are the unique attractions of the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (one of the world's most beautiful rainforest experiences), or the beautiful Great Barrier Reef.

Surrounding Cairns are other superb scenic locations such as the lush Highlands region of Atherton, Mareeba and Kuranda and the beautiful Cairns Beaches. Northwards are Port Douglas, Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

Port Douglas

Port Douglas is a picturesque resort beside the sea, which charms everyone with its village atmosphere and genuine welcome. Port Douglas has been ranked as Australia's most desirable holiday destination. 

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