Sydney - Australia

Sydney, Australia's oldest and largest city, lies on the shores of Port Jackson, also known as Sydney Harbour. The harbour with its two iconic landmarks, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, provides a spectacular backdrop to a thriving and bustling city.

Brief history

The city began life as a penal colony in 1788 when convicts were sent from England to serve out their terms of imprisonment. Although it began with a predominantly Anglo-Irish population, over the last two centuries it has been transformed by large influxes of immigrants into a thriving multicultural society.

Location

The central business district (CBD) or downtown area is quite small in comparison to other cosmopolitan cities occupying an area of less than 6.2 square kilometres, greater Sydney on the other hand, comprises over 600 suburbs and localities and occupies an area of 2,500 square kilometres.

Sydney in summer

Sydney comes alive in January. Starting with the fun and fireworks of New Year's Eve and progressing through January with the many exciting cultural and artistic events offered by the Sydney Festival, summer in Sydney is never dull. With over twelve hours of sunshine every day Sydneysiders and visitors alike are able to enjoy the many events on offer.

Sydney enjoys a warm and temperate climate. The average daily temperature for the city and its environs during summer is around 25-27C (77-80F), although it can also reach the mid to high 30s. Temperatures at night can drop below 20C but on average the nights in summer are warm and balmy.

World-famous Bondi Beach and other beachside suburbs such as Coogee and Clovelly are located close to the central business district and are accessible by bus. If you intend to make a trip to the beach remember to "swim between the flags" - the red and yellow flags are positioned on the beach by surf lifesavers to show the safest area to swim in terms of water depth, wave break patterns, underwater obstacles, currents and potential rips.

Beckett in Sydney

The conference will be held at the Wharf Theatre Complex which overlooks Sydney Harbour in the heart of the Rocks area of Sydney. Most symposium events will be held in the central business district or inner city suburbs.

And if you feel like combining your visit to the symposium with a holiday, you will find that our accomodation is centrally located and a short distance to most tourist attractions and locations.

Getting around Sydney

Getting to and from the airport

You can get to and from Sydney International Airport via bus, train or taxi.

Bus

Airport Express
The green and gold AIRPORT EXPRESS bus travels between the airport and the City and Kings Cross. The service operates daily, along several fixed routes, from approximately 5am to 11pm. Buy your ticket direct from driver. Costs are $7 one wayor $12 return (includes GST).

Routes:

• ROUTE 300 picks up passengers for Sydney City.
• ROUTE 300, 350, pick up for Central Station.
• ROUTE 350 picks up for Kings Cross, Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay.

Other government buses travel to surrounding suburbs.

Kingsford Smith Transport Phone +61 2 9666 9988 Fax +61 2 9666 7099
Email airporter@kst.com.au
The Kingsford Smith Transport / Sydney Airporter service operates a door to door service in Darling Harbour, Kings Cross and the City. Cost: One way $8 for adults and $13 return (includes GST).

Shuttle Buses Many shuttle bus companies provide transport between the airport and most Sydney suburbs and regional areas. These buses need to be pre-booked. Check the Yellow Pages under "Bus and Coach Services" for the service to and from your area.

Train

The Airport Link train is a fast and convenient way to reach the centre of Sydney. Trains run every 10 minutes and the journey into the city takes only 13 minutes. The domestic station links directly to the City Circle line.

Airport stations are located inside the Domestic and International Terminals.

Lifts are provided at both airport stations (Domestic & International) and most City Circle stations (Central, Circular Quay, Wynyard & Town Hall) for easy transfer of luggage.

Visit www.airportlink.com.au for information on fares, maps, and travel planners.

Taxi

Sheltered taxi ranks are located in each airport terminal with supervisors on hand in peak hours to ensure a smooth flow of taxis for travellers. If you have any special needs, see the kerbside supervisors. They can organise taxis with baby capsules, wheelchair access, and maxi taxis for groups.

Taxi drivers are required to accept all fares from the airport. Taxi drivers do not require tips, but will accept them, and it is normal practice to tip up to 15%, for good quality service.

Passengers also pay for any bridge (such as the Harbour Bridge) or road tolls on top of the fare.

Car rental

There are five car rental operators are located at Sydney Airport: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Delta, Red Spot and Thrifty.

Avis Australia
Phone: 13 63 33
International Terminal - Arrivals Level 1 Open: 7 days, 5am to 11pm

Budget Rent-A-Car
Phone: 13 28 48
International Terminal - Arrivals Level 1 Open: 7 days, 6am to 11pm

Hertz Australia
Phone: 13 30 39
International Terminal - Arrivals Level 1 Open: 7 days, 5am to 11pm

Delta Europcar
Phone: 13 13 90
International Terminal- Arrivals Level 1 Open: 7 days, 5am to 11pm -

Red Spot Rentals
Phone: 1800 633 936
International Terminal - Arrivals Level 1 Open: 7 days, 6am to 10pm

Thrifty Car Rentals
Phone: 1300 367 227
International Terminal - Arrivals Level 1 Open: 7 days, 5.30am to 11.30pm

Getting around Sydney

Sydney's public transport system is made up of buses, trains, and ferries. Taxis (cabs) are also readily available.

For information on buses, ferries and trains, including timetables and route details, call: 13-1500 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily or visit the Sydney Buses and Ferries or Cityrail websites.

Bus

Sydney's bus network operates throughout the central business district and extends to most inner city suburbs

Bus fares depend on the number of zones you travel. Adult fares begin at A$1.50 and go up to $A4.60 (prices current to June 2002). Pay the driver as you board or slip your prepaid ticket into the validator.

Regular buses travel from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., after which the privately run Nightride buses start operating hourly. Nightride buses run from Town Hall station, and service suburban train stations. Most buses have radio links to taxi operators, so you can arrange for a taxi to meet you at your destination.

There are main bus terminals at Circular Quay, Wynyard (York Street), Spring/Gresham Streets, Opera House (ForeCourt), Millers Point (Argyle Street), Railway Square, and Queen Victoria Building. Most buses heading out of the city pass through George or Elizabeth Streets.

The State Transit Bus Information Kiosk, located at the corner of Loftus and Alfred Sts, Circular Quay, is open daily.

Train

Sydney has a vast rail network with frequent services connecting the central business district with outlying suburbs. The underground city circle comprises seven CBD stations.

CityRail runs from 5 a.m. to midnight. There are special 'Night Safe' areas where you can wait for trains.

For rail information, ask at any station or at the rail information booth near the ferry ticket office at Circular Quay.

Lightrail Sydney recently introduced the Light Rail system which runs from Central Station, through Haymarket, behind Darling Harbour, under the Casino to Lilyfield in the inner western suburbs.

Monorail The monorail circles Darling Harbour and the southwestern quarter of the city center. The entire loops takes just above 10 minutes, with trains frequently arriving every 3-4 minutes.

Ferry

Travelling by ferry in Sydney offers a scenic and pleasurable ride. Popular places accessible by ferry are Darling Harbour, Taronga Zoo, Manly and Neutral Bay.

There are four types of ferries: the regular STA ferries; fast, modern Jetcats servicing Manly; Rivercats servicing Parramatta; and small private operators. Some ferries run between 6 a.m. to midnight, though be warned that ferries servicing tourist attraction routes may operate much shorter hours. Departure times and fares vary.

For further information, contact the Sydney Ferries Information Center located opposite Wharf 4, Circular Quay (Tel: +61-2 9207-3170) or Hegarty's Ferries (Tel: +61-2 9206-1167).

Taxi

Taxis (cabs) can be hailed in the street or at designated taxi ranks. You can also call and book a taxi with one of the major companies. There are taxi ranks at major points throughout the city, including Central and Wynyard Stations; Market Street by the State Theatre; Circular Quay; Elizabeth Street at Chifley Square; and at Elizabeth Bay on Macleay Street.

The four major taxi companies are:

• Taxis Combined Services: +61-2 13-1008 or +61-2 9332-8888
• RSL Cabs: +61-2 13 1581 or +61-2 9699-0144
• Legion Cabs: +61-2 13 1451 or +61-2 9289-9000
• Premier Cabs: +61-2 13 1017 or +61-2 9897-4000

If you require a taxi which can accomodate a wheelchair, call: 1-800-043-187 or +61-2 9332-0200.

Taxi drivers are required to accept all fares and take the shortest route to your destination. Taxi drivers do not require tips, but will accept them, and it is normal practice to tip up to 15%, for good quality service.

Passengers also pay for any bridge (such as the Harbour Bridge) or road tolls on top of the fare.