Melbourne city skyline, Australia
Melbourne city skyline, Australia

The Twelve Apostles, Victoria
The Twelve Apostles, Victoria

Brighton beach houses, Melbourne
Brighton beach houses, Melbourne

Yarra river, Melbourne
Yarra river, Melbourne


The Lido Group

Travel and accommodation

Melbourne - an exciting city to explore
Visitors will find that Melbourne is an exciting city to explore. Modern architecture and design is juxtaposed with heritage buildings reflecting Australia’s cultural history. Beneath the city’s impressive façade lies the true heart and soul of the city: lane ways which snake the city grid to reveal cafes and bars, fashion houses, boutiques, innovative cuisine, galleries, theatres and museums. Within an hour’s drive of the city visitors can enjoy some of Australia’s most spectacular coastlines, wildlife reserves, wineries, temperate rainforests, surf beaches and historic townships.

Integrated public transport
Melbourne’s automated all-in-one ticketing system operates on all train, tram and bus services in the metropolitan area, with electronically-encoded tickets called Metcards. One ticket can give you flexible travel on trains, trams and buses. Just buy a ticket and travel. Most fares are based on two zones. For your journey simply select the zone/s you will be travelling in and purchase the appropriate Metcard - whether it be for a single zone or multiple zones.

Free city tourist shuttle bus
The Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle is a great new way for delegates to see Melbourne’s attractions, and it’s free! Hop on and hop off the bus at any of the stops at key city destinations including: the Melbourne Museum, the Carlton Gardens, the Queen Victoria Market, the Melbourne Aquarium, the Immigration Museum, Southbank, the Shrine of Remembrance, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Chinatown. The shuttle runs between 10am and 4pm daily. The complete trip takes approximately 50 minutes and there is an informative onboard commentary.  

Free city circle tram
Free city circle trams travel the perimeter of the central business district every day between 10am and 6pm, except Christmas Day and Good Friday. Extended hours of operation between 10am and 9pm occur on Thursday, Friday and Saturday during daylight saving time.  

Free conference shuttle bus
Shuttle buses will transfer delegates to and from conference accommodation in the heart of Melbourne and the conference venue in Burwood.

Sunday
Depart CBD hotels at 8am
Depart Burwood for CBD Hotels at 5pm

Monday, Tuesday
Depart CBD hotels at 7.30am
Depart Burwood for CBD hotels at 5.45pm
One bus will depart Burwood for CBD hotels at 6.45pm at the conclusion of the ascilite AGM on Monday

Wednesday
Depart CBD hotels at 7.30am
Depart Burwood for CBD hotels at 4.30pm
Depart Burwood for Tullamarine Airport at 4.30pm

The buses will shuttle between the hotels and will all be marked as ascilite Conference Shuttles for delegates to find their way onto them easily. The drop off and pick up point at Burwood is the turning circle at Central Precinct.

Delegates staying at Punt Hill Apartments Burwood
Sunday
Depart Punt Hill Apartments for Welcome reception at 5.30pm
Depart Melbourne Town Hall for Punt Hill Apartments at 8.15pm

Tuesday
Depart Punt Hill Apartments for Conference Dinner at 6.20pm
Depart Grand Hyatt Melbourne for Punt Hill Apartments at 11pm

Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)
The venue for ascilite 2008 is the Deakin University Burwood campus, which is 40 kilometers (approximately 1.5 hours) from the Melbourne Airport. Airport Bus Eastside runs a shuttle service from Melbourne Airport to Burwood with door to door service.

Skybus runs a shuttle from Melbourne Airport to the Melbourne Central Business District. Skybus operates 7 days a week, including public holidays. The trip between Melbourne Airport and the city takes approximately 20 minutes. Skybus departs Southern Cross Station every 10-15 minutes between 6am and 9.30pm and half hourly or hourly at other times. Plan your trip to allow enough time for airline check-in requirements. For information visit the Skybus web site or +61 39335 2811.

Avalon Airport
Sunbus runs services between Avalon Airport and the City seven days a week. For more information check the Sunbus web site or call +61 39689 6888.

Accommodation and airfares
Discount accommodation options for ascilite 2008 delegates have been organised by The Lido Group. Lido has been successfully servicing the exhibition and trade event industry since 1991 and has now become Australia’s premier travel provider to this sector. It also coordinates the travel needs of National and State government bodies, corporate entities and conference groups. All attendees of ascilite 2008 are entitled to book accommodation through Lido that has been specifically negotiated for their benefit. Click the accommodation button below to find out more and book online today. For any special enquiries, please contact Alex Call 1800 817 339 (toll free within Australia) or +61 28585 0808 (international) or email exhibitions@lido.com.au .

Useful contacts
Qantas Flights and Information - 13 13 13
Virgin Blue Flights and Information - 13 67 89
Jetstar Flights and Information - 13 15 38