Last updated: 16 September 2007
All participants are requested to make their own hotel arrangements.
The Bureau of Meteorology has negotiated special rates for the Workshop at the Vibe Savoy Hotel and Quest Docklands service apartments and Batman's Hill on Collins for the nights of 14-18 September 2007. These accommodations are within easy walking distance of many restaurants and attractions. The Vibe Savoy is located on the corner of Spencer Street and Little Collins Street, two city blocks from the Bureau. The Quest Docklands service apartments are located on Bourke Street, next to Telstra Dome sports stadium, also two city blocks from the Bureau. The Batman's Hill on Collins is located on the corner of Collins and Spencer Street
Extra nights can be booked at the same rate subject to availability. To get this special rate, please contact them directly for the booking and ask for Bureau of Meteorology rates for the OPeNDAP workshop. If a booking confirmation number is listed, please use it when booking.
Contact details for the Vibe Savoy Hotel : (16th October is not available)
E-mail: vhsm@vibehotels.com.au
Phone: +61-3-9622-8888
Fax: +61-3-9622-8818
Address: 630 Little Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia
Parking: $19.00 per car per day
Rates: The BOM negotiated rates are as follows;
- Single/twin/double room @ $131 per night
- Executive room single/twin/double room @ $156 per night
Contact details for the Quest Docklands:
E-mail: questdocklands@questapartments.com.au
Phone: +61 (0)3 9630 1000
Fax: +61 (0)3 9630 1099
Address: 750 Bourke Street, Victoria Point, Docklands, VIC 3008 Australia
Rates: The BOM negotiated rates are as follows;
- Studio apartment @ $127 per night
- One bedroom apartment @ $150 per night
- Two bedroom apartment @ $230 per night
Contact details for the Quality Hotel Batman's Hill on Collins:
E-mail: res@batmanshill.com.au
Phone: +61 (0)3 9614 6344
Fax: +61 (0)3 9614 1189
Address: 623 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia
Booking Confirmation: #10105300
Rates: The BOM negotiated rates are as follows;
- 4 star Club rooms @ $143 per night (10 rooms available)
- 4 star Club rooms including continental breakfast @ $154
There are many other hotels and apartment hotels located within a short distance of the Bureau if you are interested in exploring other accommodation options.
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is serviced by regular flights from most major cities.
The Skybus shuttle bus from Melbourne Airport to downtown is recommended, and they depart every 15 minutes from the Melbourne airport. The cost is A$15 one way or A$24 return trip, and includes free shuttle service between the downtown bus terminal and your hotel. The Skybus terminates in the Southern Cross Railway Station in Spencer Street immediately across the road from Vibe Savoy Hotel, short walk to the Quest Docklands serviced apartments, and around the corner from the Bureau of Meteorology Building. See Skybus for more information.
Taxi from Melbourne Airport to Bureau of Meteorology: Taxis are available from the ground floor level of Melbourne Airport, outside the International Terminal and both domestic Terminals. Expect to pay around A$40 for the 25-minute trip to the Bureau of Meteorology at 700 Collins Street, Docklands, next to Southern Cross rail station at Spencer Street, and near the Telstra Dome between Bourke Street and Collins Street. Our building has a big "Medibank" sign near the top. See the 1-3-CABS website.
All non-residents of Australia and New Zealand require a visa from the Australian Electronic Travel Authority to enter Australia. The easiest way to apply is via the Australian Electronic Travel Authority web site. Since the primary purpose of your travel is to attend the workshop, you should get a Short Validity Business ETA Visa (A$20) rather than a tourist visa.
Melbourne is the capital city of the state of Victoria in southeastern Australia. Frequently touted as one of the world's most "livable" cities it has a population of about 3 million and a Mediterranean climate. Spring temperatures in early October typically range from 9°C overnight to 17°C in the afternoon. Weather forecast for Melbourne is here and the climate outlook is here.
For more information about Melbourne, see http://www.bcl.com.au/melbourne/ or http://www.visitvictoria.com/.
Both the Vibe Savoy Hotel and Quest Docklands Hotel are within a short walk (2-3 city blocks) of the Bureau of Meteorology Building and all dinner venues are within one city block of both hotels as is rail and tram transport. Unless you wish to travel outside of Melbourne, there is therefore no need to hire a car during your stay.
See the train and tram time schedules for public transportation at Melbourne Metlink Public Transportation.
The Bureau of Meteorology is marked on the attached map. To get there from the Vibe Savoy Hotel (corner of Spencer and Little Collins), go south on Spencer Street toward the Southern Cross train station and Collins Street. Turn right onto Collins Street and continue over the bridge to the building labeled "Medibank".
Once in the building, take the low-rise elevators up to the 6th floor, turn to the West doors, and go thru the glass doors, and turn left to check-in at the registration desk. The workshop will be held in Meeting Room 2. "OPeNDAP Workshop" signs might help guide you to the registration desk and workshop. You will need to sign in and receive your conference name badge. This badge will serve as security identification for the week of the workshop and you will need to sign in at the start of each day at the registration desk. The 6th level doors to the meeting room area will remain unlocked between 8:15 am and 4:30 pm each day of the workshop. Outside of these hours you will need to ask a Bureau staff member to let you into the workshop area.
Wireless and broadband access for laptop computers will be available during the meeting at the Bureau of Meteorology. The Vibe Savoy Hotel provides broadband internet access from hotel rooms at $5.50 for half hour or $11.00 per hour. To use the internet from the hotel rooms, you should bring your own cable.