Delegate Information
This is where you will find information on travelling to Australia. Available travel bursaries and other key information on attending the 2023 IUFRO-DIV 5 Conference
Money Currency
Australia’s national currency is the aptly named Australian Dollar (AUD), which is decimal, with the dollar the basic unit. Keep in mind that 100 cents = $1 dollar. Notes are available in $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations, while coins are available in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 denominations.
ATM
Automatic Teller Machines (or ATMs) are found scattered across the state. Be aware - money is generally deposited in $20 or $50 notes and some banks charge a small fee to withdraw.
Credit Cards and Traveller’s Cheques
Major credit cards are widely accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club. Traveller's cheques are also accepted in Queensland, though a fee is often charged for cashing them in. Craving cash? Currency exchange facilities reside at all international airports and most city centres.
Tipping
Here in Australia, tipping is not expected. Instead prices are generally inclusive of GST, and tipping is reserved for exceptional service (around 10% at restaurants).
Taxes
All goods and services purchased within Australia are subject to a 10% tax. Tourists can claim a refund of this Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) on certain goods placed in hand luggage or worn when departing the country. Want to know more? Visit the Tourist Refund Scheme Australia’s website of Home Affairs.
Travel Documents
Passports
A valid visa and current passport are essential for entry into Australia. Though, it’s wise to carry an ongoing ticket out of Australia and proof of funds to sustain your stay, in case those are also requested. The only exceptions are current New Zealand and Australian passports.
Visa
Unless you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you'll need a visa to enter Australia. A tourist visa is for people visiting Australia for a vacation, sightseeing, visiting friends or relatives and other short-term non-work activities.
Most US and Canadian passport holders traveling to Australia for tourism or business purposes for less than 90 days can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for a small service fee. Click here to check if you're eligible.
If you're a non-resident and wishing to work in Australia, a Working Holiday Visa or a Work and Holiday Visa is required. Visitors should ensure they apply for the correct visa to suit their requirements. For more detailed information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Once in Australia, a visa is not needed to enter Queensland when travelling from other states.
Embassies
The US Embassy is located in the Australia capital city, Canberra, and US Consulates are located in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The High Commission of Canada is located in Canberra and the Canadian Consulate in Sydney. The Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil is located in Canberra and the Consulate of Brazil is located in Brisbane.
For a full list of Foreign Embassies throughout Australia, please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
US and Canadian passport holders wishing to work (including the Working Holiday Visa), study, live or visit for other purposes or extended duration in Australia should ensure they apply for the correct visa to suit their requirements. For more detailed information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
For further assistance to obtain a visa to enter Australia, refer to www.dfat.gov.au to locate the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in North America and South America.
Once in Australia, a visa is not needed to enter Queensland when travelling from other states.
Customs
On arrival to Australia, you’ll complete a Traveller’s Statement. Keep in mind each traveller is granted a duty-free allowance, provided purchases aren’t intended for retail. There are also regulations related to importing certain goods, including firearms, and medication. Discover more on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Quarantine
Unique flora and fauna calls Australia home, meaning there are strict quarantine laws to protect it from pests and disease. The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Department of Agriculture enforce that all goods of plant or animal origin must be declared on entry. For more information, see the Department of Home Affairs or the Department of Agriculture.
Travel
For more travel hints and tips for Cairns. Please click on the below button
Airport Transfers
The conference has been able to secure a 10% discount off all online bookings with Con-X-ion bus transfers from the airport to your hotel and return. To access the discount please use this link - www.con-x-ion.com/Pages/ConferenceTransfers.aspx?pid=IUFRO-DIV 5 2023
Taxis/Ride Share
Taxi Services operate across Queensland and can be contacted via 131 008 or 131 924. For a list of taxi service areas, visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Uber operates in Cairns, however you will need to create an Australian account. International Uber or Ride Share accounts do not work in Australia.
Bus/Coach
You’ll find bus and coach travel across Queensland easy and economical. Most boast air conditioning, reading lights, adjustable seats and videos, and are available for quick transfers, long-haul journeys or door-to-door services. For a range of service options visit the Transportation and Hire section of our website.
Planes
Air travel is easy in these parts - International airports reside in Brisbane, Cairns and the Gold Coast, with domestic airports scattered across regional areas and islands. Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar operate across Queensland.
Cairns Airport
The Cairns International and Domestic Airport is located within ten minutes drive from the Cairns CBD and is easily accessible by hire car, taxi or airport shuttle bus. A taxi will only cost you around $25/$30 one way into the CBD and the airport shuttle will set you back around $16 per person.
Hire cars can be picked up and returned from/to the airport and you will find many hire car booths there on arrival in the lounge at both terminals, however it is much cheaper to prebook.
If you are heading overseas from Cairns the airport departure tax is slightly higher here than other Australian airports due to it being privately owned. The departure tax is currently $46 per person. We can also help you organise your flight to Cairns.
Trains
Not to boast, but Queensland Rail is second to none; in fact, it’s the largest and most comprehensive network of long distance and tourist trains in the nation. Ever-reliable, the train network stretches from the top tip of the Tropical North to the red desert of the Outback.
Train Station
The train station is located right beside one of our major shopping complexes - Cairns Central, on the southern side. It is only a five minute walk from the Cairns City centre and the Esplanade. The train to Kuranda departs from this station in the morning and returns late in the afternoon. Whilst Cairns does not have local train services this station caters for long distance rail journeys.
Public Transport
The local Sunbus services Cairns and it's suburbs. The main depot is in City Place on Lake St. Very close to the Cairns CBD the interstate bus terminal is located at the Reef Fleet Terminal. Here you will find the bus services of Greyhound Pioneer, McCaffertys and Coral Coaches. You cannot get a local bus to Kuranda.
Driving
In Australia we drive on the left side of the road. Cairns is relatively easy to negotiate with adequate signage. We do have a few round-abouts, and these can be tricky for visitors. Just be careful of suicidal cyclists at times.
IT Connectivity, Mobile phones
Mobile phones
The GSM mobile phone system is available throughout Australia. Check with your own mobile phone provider for service coverage in this area under your service.
SIM cards
Upon arrival in Australia one option is to purchase and have installed a local SIM card for use while in Australia. These cards often include a certain amount of free calling back to your home country, depending on which SIM card provider you choose and which country you are from. SIM cards are available at overseas entry airports in Australia, the booths are usually are in close proximity outside the exit from Customs and Immigration. There are many options, prior to leaving for the IUFRO meeting do some research online and find the option that best suits your needs. Then check the availability of that option when you arrive in Australia.
Internet and Email access
Free high speed wireless access is available in the Cairns Convention Centre, as well as at all the conference hotels. High speed wireless access is also available in most other hotels in Cairns, but be sure to check before making reservations.
You will also find free wi-fi at many cafe's and restaurants in Cairns.
Skype and other internet phone access
Given that there is readily available free high speed wireless internet access available to conference attendees, it is recommended that for international attendees they consider setting up a Skype, Google Voice or other internet phone access account.
Climate and Weather
Because of our superb winter temperatures you will always find there are a lot of visitors from both overseas and other parts of Australia in Cairns during this time just to escape the very cold temperatures of the northern hemisphere and our southern cities. The reef is good at this time of year and is always extremely busy with many people taking advantage of the idyllic conditions.
Climate data for Cairns, Queensland
Month May June
Temperature
Average high °C 27.5 25.6
Average low °C 19.5 17.0
Rainfall
Precipitation mm 132 67
Travel Bursary
IUFRO-DIV 5 can offer a limited number of bursaries for graduate, post-graduate and post-doctoral fellows who are below 35 years old, to support them to attend the conference (assist with travel and accommodation costs up to the maximum value of AUD$750. Funding provided will be determined on a case by case basis).
If you do not meet all criteria and from a country listed on the ODA as a low income country - ODA List. Please apply and you must be able to confirm that you are able to fund the remainder of your trip.
The decision for the award is undertaken by a bursary committee.
Application documents:
1. Motivation letter for the bursary application including a short description of the current research project(s) (max. one A4 page).
2. CV with your name, address of your affiliation, contact details, date of birth, citizenship, educational background, employment history and current position.
3. Publication list of the applicant.
4. Letter of recommendation of the supervisor or head of department/group of the applicant.
5. Document to confirm the student, PhD or Post-Doc status of the applicant (i.e. matriculation of the university, etc.).
6. Please include that you will be able to fund the majority of your travel and accommodation costs. This bursary will only fund a small part of your expenses.
Note:
♦ The submission of an abstract and participation at the IUFRO-DIV 5 Conference is mandatory!
♦ Incomplete or late applications will not be considered by the bursary committee!
♦ All application documents MUST be in English
Deadline for bursary application: 31st January 2023
Email applications to: iufro@kamevents.com.au