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23 August 2008, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Venue
The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre is a world-class venue over three levels, purpose-built to provide superb flexibility and versatility under one roof. Since opening in 1995 it has received 98 industry awards, making it the most awarded convention centre in Australia. Equally impressive on the international stage, it is ranked among the top three convention centres world-wide by the Association Internationale des Palais de Congres (AIPC).

The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre is situated at the intersection of Merivale and Glenelg Streets, South Brisbane. It is located in South Bank, the heart of Brisbane in a unique riverside cultural and entertainment precinct — home to Australia's newest and most celebrated Gallery of Modern Art. This conference will be held on the Mezzanine and Plaza levels which are accessible from the main foyer. It is only a short walk from the Brisbane CBD and easily accessible by train, bus and ferry. There is under cover parking at the venue which currently costs $12 per day. The map below shows what is within a 10 minute walk of the Centre. The contact number for the Convention Centre is 07 3308 3000.


  Hotels   5 Minute Walk   10 Minute Walk
           




Public Transport
Easy public transport access is available for delegates travelling to the Hilton Brisbane from Brisbane Airport, with Airtrain www.airtrain.com.au providing a train service direct from the Brisbane Domestic Terminal to Central Station, about a 10 minute walk to the hotel.

Alternatively, taxis are readily available from the Domestic Terminal at a cost of approximately $AU35.
Brisbane, Queensland

Brisbane

Brisbane is a vibrant city with a sub-tropical climate and boasts an exciting outdoor lifestyle that has given rise to a vast range of multi-cultural restaurants and leisure facilities close to the CBD. One hour to the north and south of Brisbane are pristine, safe beaches, tropical rainforests and mountain wineries. Brisbane is also a convenient gateway for exploring the rest of Queensland and Australia.

Just a walk across Victoria Bridge from the central city is South Bank Parklands, the heart of Brisbane's cultural, recreational and entertainment scene, set on 16 hectares of river frontage parklands. The area features a variety of multicultural restaurants and cafés, and the iconic Streets Beach, where sun, sand and lifeguards deliver a beach experience against the panoramic backdrop of Brisbane city. Landscaping reflects rainforest, lagoon and beach environments and The Arbour, a bouganvillia-covered walkway, winds through the precinct. The South Bank Village Markets, open every Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, provide an entertaining shopping experience – great for your memento of your visit to Brisbane. The Queensland Maritime Museum is at the Woolloongabba end of the Parklands and is home to a World War II frigate, a 1925 steam tug and many other fascinating bits for those into nautical relics.

Also located in the South Bank area is the Queensland Art Gallery which will reward art lovers with its internal water feature and Australian and Aboriginal collections. The newly opened Gallery of Modern Art complements the Queensland Art Gallery building. The Gallery focuses on art of the 20th and 21st Centuries. Its flagship project, the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art series of exhibitions is now a major event on the national and international arts calendar. The Gallery is also committee to profiling Indigenous Australian art.

Nearby, the Queensland Museum and recently opened State Library of Queensland offer visitors an experience that will challenge the mind. You can access the Internet, trace your family tree, or view visiting collections – most services are free. The Sciencentre will fascinate all ages with its interactive exhibits – a must for the child in all of us!

Across Melbourne Street, the Queensland Performing Arts Complex (QPAC) stages some excellent theatre and music, and the Imax Theatre screen soars eight floors above the audience.

Brisbane features a collection of heritage buildings within walking distance including the Conrad Treasury Casino, a beautiful 19th century sandstone building which contrasts easily with the glitter and gambling within. St Stephen's Cathedral has one of the world's finest collections of 19th-century stained glass. St John's Cathedral is a living artwork with vaulted ceilings, spectacular stained-glass windows and resident stonemasons at work. Parliament House, built in 1868 and inspired by the Louvre Museum in Paris, backs on to the City Botanic Gardens, Queensland's leading heritage park which dates back to 1828. The Curator's Cottage is now the Garden's Café.

For spectacular views, a planetarium and exotic plants, visit the Mt Coot-tha Lookout and Botanic Gardens. While there, you could take the 1.5 kilometre Mt Coot-tha Aboriginal Art Trail to see traditional artwork in a natural setting.

The Queen Street Mall is the place to start for shopping. It's a pedestrian mall full of space, shade, light, al fresco eateries, free entertainment and, of course, department stores and shops. For some great bargains, seconds and outlet shops, locals head to Stones Corner, about 4 kilometres south of the city centre which is accessible by bus or train.

The Riverside markets, located in the Riverside precinct and the northern end of the city, (approximately a 10 minute walk from the Brisbane Hilton) are held each Sunday. The markets are a ‘must visit’ attraction for locals and visitors alike and feature an extensive range of hand-crafted items and natural health products.

Getting Around Brisbane
City Cats
The City Cat ferry service which traverses the Brisbane River is a fabulous way to see the city and visit some local tourist destinations. A one-way trip will cost from $A2.20 and the ferries run every 10–15 minutes (refer to a City Cat ferry service timetable for scheduled times). The central ferry stops are the Riverside Centre/Eagle St Pier in the city; Thornton St, Holman St and Dockside, all on Kangaroo Point; South Bank Parklands; River Plaza Hotel in South Brisbane; the QUT Gardens Point and New Farm.

Trains
Central Railway Station and Roma Street Railway Station are within walking distance of the city centre. Trains depart on a regular basis to various tourist destinations including the Gold Coast. Check with the ticket office for timetable and fare information.

Buses

The Brisbane bus service is managed and operated by Brisbane Transport. Visit the Brisbane Transinfo website for bus timetables, fare pricing and even a journey planner to help navigate your way around. www.transinfo.com.au>

The Loop is a free Council bus service that circles Brisbane's Central Business District. The Loop stops at several destinations including Central Station, Queen Street Mall, City Botanic Gardens, Riverside Centre, QUT and King George Square. Wait at the red City Loop signs for the next bus.

Your hotel concierge will be able to help with specific tour bookings or visit the one of the following websites:

Tourism Links

Australian Tourism Commissionwww.australia.com
Tourism Queenslandwww.tq.com.au


For further information
Please contact:
Lyn Greenfield
Event Manager
ECHO Events Australia
PO Box 8138
Sunnybank QLD 4109
Tel: 07 3272 0950
Fax: 07 3711 2745
Mob: 0423 907 059


Email: heiaqconference@echoevents.com.au