Host City
Melbourne is located on the south/east coast, and is the 2nd largest city in Australia. Over 3.5 million people live in the city, which has been rated The World's Most Livable City on a number of occasions.

Dates
The Conference will take place from 3-7 September 2007

Transportation
Melbourne International Airport is located approximately 25 minutes from the city centre. Once in Melbourne, there are many transport options including taxi, train and tram. For more information on getting around Melbourne, click here.

Conference Venue

The Conference will be held at The Sebel Albert Park (Formerly Carlton Crest Hotel Melbourne), overlooks Albert Park Lake, home of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.

The venue is only 4 km or 15 minutes by public transport from Melbourne's Central Business District. It provides easy access to all areas of Melbourne and is only five minutes by car from Port Phillip Bay. Ideal for both business and leisure, the hotel is just 30 minutes drive from Melbourne Airport.

The Sebel Albert Park is located at:

65 Queens Road
Melbourne Victoria
Australia 3004
Ph : + 61 3 9529 4300
Fax : + 61 3 9521 3111

Conference Support Grants 
Grants are available to support conference participation by Indigenous evaluation practitioners in  Australia and New Zealand and also evaluators/evaluation practitioners from developing nations in  SE Asia and the Pacific.  Details are now available on the AES website  http://www.aes.asn.au/conferences/

Parking
Car parking is available for speakers and delegates at The Sebel. Wilson Parking is available at the Conference venue, The Sebel, for a fee of $9.50 per exit or Valet Parking is available at $11.00 for hotel guests. N.B. Prices subject to change.

Local Time
The time in Melbourne in September is 10 hours ahead of G.M.T.

Currency & Banking
Australian currency is the dollar. Coins have values of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and AUD$1 and AUD$2; notes have values of AUD$5, AUD$10, AUD$20, AUD$50 and AUD$100.

Banks and Foreign Exchange
Melbourne's banking hours are generally Monday to Thursday 9am-4pm and Friday 9am-5pm. All the major banks have offices in the city and are equipped to exchange foreign currency. You can also exchange foreign currency any day or night at the airport, or during normal business hours in Melbourne's central business district.

Travellers Cheques
Travellers cheques are a safe and convenient way to carry funds. Brands like American Express and Travelex are widely accepted in Melbourne and can be cashed at banks, foreign exchange brokers, larger hotels and restaurants, and for car rental. Passport ID is required when you cash travellers cheques. Fees for changing travellers cheques vary from different banks and agencies.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Australia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 percent on most goods and services such as accommodation, day tours, guides, translators, food, transport (including coach, rail and cruise) and other tourism services within Australia. International airfares do not attract GST. For international visitors, all prices quoted for a Victorian holiday will include the 10 per cent GST, payable at the time of ticketing.

Tipping
Tipping is not a general custom in Melbourne, and is at your discretion.

Electric Current
Electric current is 240 Volt, AC 50 cycles. Two or three pin rectangular plugs are used. For more information, please visit your local travel store.

Driving License
International Driving Licenses are recognized throughout Australia. Car rental companies wil ask for a valid driving license.

Restaurants
Melbourne is a multi-cultural city and every cuisine is available in the many restaurants.

Shopping
Most shops in Melbourne are generally open from 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday to Wednesday and 09:00 to 21:00 Thursday to Friday. In all stores and shopping centres major credit cards are accepted and tax-free shopping is possible within the city.

Walking is the best way to shop, especially along Melbourne's arcades and laneways. Outside the city centre, visit shopping precincts like Chapel Street in South Yarra, Acland Street in St Kilda and Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, especially on weekends. Here you'll find everything from retro homewares to funky shops selling cult-in-the-making jewellery. These shopping strips also have many streetside cafes. Travelling between Melbourne's suburbs is best done by tram, although you'll need a car to visit larger suburban malls like Chadstone, where many of the major retailers are found.

Bargains
For bargains, head for Richmond (especially Bridge Road and Swan Street), where designer outlets and factory seconds sell jeans, swimwear, trainers, tops and bags at heavily reduced prices. Big savings can also be made during sale times (normally at the end of summer and winter, and some public holidays) held by David Jones, Myer and other department stores.