Getting from the Sydney International Airport to the University of New South Wales campus

When you arrive, you will pass through Customs and emerge into the arrival hall. Before leaving the airport, you may wish to exchange some money to pay for taxis or bus fares. There are several foreign exchange bureaus in the arrival hall and in the airport buildings.

If someone has agreed to meet you, they will carry a sign "ISSI-2001". If you miss them, please wait near the Thomas Cook Foreign Exchange counter, on the left hand side in the main hall as you leave the Passenger Arrival Exit (Exit Gates A or B).

To get a taxi:
Follow the signs (on the left after you leave the building) and wait in the queue. Tell the driver the address of your accommodation or the University, Kensington Campus. The nearest Gate at UNSW for the Scientia (the Conference venue) is Gate No. 9 on High Street. Remember to print out the address of your accommodation from the web page before you leave home and have it with you. The cost for the taxi ride from the airport to UNSW is between AUD$25-35 dollars.

To take the public bus:
Follow the signs (on your right after you leave the building) and wait at the stops marked 5 or 6 for the Number 400 Bus that terminates at Bondi Junction. The bus is royal blue and white. The cost of the fare is from $3.10 to $3.70 from International Airport (at Section 10) to the following accommodation spots in (Section 19 or 20). There should be no problem with baggage especially since most of you are arriving on Saturday or Sunday.

• For those staying at Kensington Colleges: Please buy your bus ticket from the driver and tell the driver that you wish to get off at UNSW on High Street near the corner of Botany Street. When you get out of the bus, cross the road to the University side (there is a pedestrian crossing to assist you). Then walk down the slope keeping the University grounds on your left until you reach Gate No. 6 -- you will pass by these Gates, no.9 (near the bus stop), no. 8, and no. 7 before you reach Gate no.6 which is signed as Kensington Colleges. Go to the Registration Desk and speak to the person in the office to get your room allocation.
  

• For those staying at Barkers Lodge: Please buy your bus ticket from the driver and tell the driver that you wish to get off opposite the University on Anzac Parade (Section 19). When you get out of the bus, cross the road to the University side (there is a pedestrian crossing to assist you). Then walk along the street keeping the University grounds on your left until you reach Barker Street (on one corner, there is a petrol station and MacDonalds food outlet). Turn left and Barkers Lodge is about two minutes walk further up Barker Street. It has a big sign on it.
  

• For those staying at Gemini Hotel: Please buy your bus ticket from the driver and tell the driver that you wish to get off on Belmore Road near the Gemini Hotel in the Randwick shopping centre. When you get out of the bus, cross the road to the other side (again use the pedestrian crossing) and walk along with the shops on your right hand side till you find the Hotel.
  

Australia is very strict on what you can bring into Australia. Please declare all goods such as food, seeds or nuts, plant and animal products (non-declaration can incur hefty fines). The quarantine service uses sniffer dogs that will detect if you are carrying items of quarantine concern. If something is found, the item is confiscated and is usually destroyed.

• If you bring food, do not include: meat or products with meat in them; eggs or products that use eggs; milk products, including confectionary or sweets made with milk; raw seeds or nuts; fresh fruits or anything made with banana or banana leaves; honey; live plants, roots or flowers; and avoid straw packing materials.

• If you are bringing gifts: please declare them for customs; products that are not allowed include: rawhide or uncured leather products; feathers, bones, horns or tusks.

To get further details, see the Australian Quarantine web site at: http://www.affa.gov.au/outputs/quarantine.html

Electrical Goods: Australia uses 240 voltage for its electrical goods. Australia uses a three-prong power socket.

General Office and Shop Hours:  Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 5:30pm is usual. However, many shops, especially food shops, stay open beyond 5pm. There is late night shopping on Thursday evenings in Sydney.

Safety on the Road: Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road, so if you are a pedestrian it is important to remember to look to the right before stepping off the curb.

For Tourist Information: Please visit Tourism New South Wales at: http://www.tourism.nsw.gov.au/

Have a good flight -- exercise your legs and arms on board if you can, drink plenty of fluids, e.g. water, juices or any non-alcoholic beverages offered to you during the flight.