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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.
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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 Commission
– www.australia.com
Tourism Queensland –www.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
