Getting to Cairns

Cairns is in the very heart of the Asia Pacific region and the main gateway to the tropical far north of Queensland.  Cairns International Airport is Australia's fifth busiest in terms of international passengers. It is serviced by international, national and state air carriers and has around 120 scheduled flights each week to all major Australian and international destinations. There are many direct flights for those international travellers: United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong.
Click here for an airflight route map.

Click here to find your nearest international tourist office for Queensland.

Explore the following sites about Cairns:
www.cairnsconvention.com.au
www.cityofcairns.qld.gov.au
www.great-barrier-reef.com
www.pddt.com.au
www.dctta.asn.au

Visas

Anyone who is not an Australian citizen requires a valid Visa/Electronic Travel Authority to enter and spend time in Australia. With the exception of New Zealand citizens travelling on New Zealand passports, all foreign nationals must obtain a Visa/ETA before travelling to Australia. (New Zealand citizens are issued with a Visa upon arrival).

Visas are available from Australian Visa Offices such as Australian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates. For the location of your nearest Australian Consulate, go to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website at www.dfat.gov.au/missions/

Visas are also available in ETA form from travel agents and airlines in certain countries. There are no visas or border checks required when moving between Australian states. www.immi.gov.au

For helpful customs regulations and advice, see www.customs.gov.au for details.

Domestic Travel

Corporate Travel Management (CTM) offers Australian delegates special flexible/changeable conference airfares at up to 40% discount in economy class on Qantas services or the best Internet or published airfares available on Qantas and Virgin Blue Airlines. Early booking is advised.

To ensure the BEST possible airfare available, Australian delegates should contact CTM (http://www.travelctm.com/travel/welcome.asp?cid=96&cc=APSSIR2005)  
on TOLLFREE: 1800 630 866 or Email: groups@travelctm.com and quote the Conference Profile APSSIR05 when making their travel booking. CTM will advise you of the best fare availability and conditions of purchase at the time of making your booking. Insurance is recommended for those travelling with discounted fares and can be booked online.

Conference Fares: Qantas is proud to offer its support to the Conference with a special discount of up to 40% off the FULL economy fare (excluding taxes). The conference fare is flexible and fully refundable with no cancellation fee up until 72 hours prior to departure.

Discount Fares: Delegates may prefer to take advantage of the best Internet or published airfares. Promotional fares are often more affordable than the conference fare. However, they do have conditions attached. Most are non-refundable if cancelled. Travel insurance is strongly recommended

Accommodation

Click on map for hotel locations

A range of specially negotiated hotel and apartment accommodation within close proximity to the Cairns Convention Centre has been reserved for APSSM delegates, from Monday 3 October to Sunday 9 October 2005.

All rates quoted are per room per night and can only be obtained by booking through Promaco Conventions. For rooms required before or after the Meeting dates, early booking is essential.

Breakfast is not included in the rate unless stated.

DEPOSIT: All bookings require a deposit of one night’s tariff and a credit card number. Please note that bookings without a deposit or a credit card number cannot be confirmed. The deposit is non-refundable and will be forfeited at the hotel’s discretion, if you cancel within 30 days of the date required or, if you do not arrive on the date you have nominated.

Delegates are to settle their own accounts, including incidentals, upon checking out.

AMENDMENTS: Amendments to accommodation will only be accepted in writing and must be advised to Promaco Conventions in advance. Changes made after Monday 5 September 2005 cannot be guaranteed and will be subject to availability.

PREFERENCES: Please indicate your first three hotel preferences with your booking via the registration form. Limited rooms are available at some properties and we recommend that accommodation is booked early.

CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT: Standard check-in time of 2.00pm and check-out time of 11.00am applies to all venues. Requests for late check-out must be made with the venue as you arrive. Please note that early check-in may require the booking of an additional room night prior, to guarantee immediate access to your room.

DEADLINES: Hotels impose strict release dates for block accommodation bookings. Unused rooms will be released 30 days prior to the meeting and accommodation bookings received after Monday 5 September will be subject to availability.

INTERNET FACILITIES: All of the selected hotels have full internet facilities available. In addition, an Internet Café will be made available within the Cairns Convention Centre for delegates use.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: All of the selected hotels are within 15 minutes travel by car from the airport. Taxi fare will be around AUD$15-AUD$18 each way.

HOTELS:

Cairns International Hotel
***** www.cairnsinternational.com.au
5 Star Hotel, central city location, 3 restaurants, 2 bars, three quarter acre tropical pool deck, Easy access to Great Barrier Reef Fleet Terminal. 7 minute walk to the Convention Centre.
Rates: AUD$230 Standard room; AUD$260 Harbourview room; AUD$340 Premium Harbourview room; AUD$450 Executive Poolview Suite; AUD$500 Executive Harbourview Suite; Presidential Suite on application.

Sofitel Reef Casino Cairns
***** www.reefcasino.com.au
5 Star Hotel and first class service. Located in the heart of the city. 4 restaurants, 4 bars, tropical outdoor swimming pool and spa, gymnasium, sauna, lobby shop, casino. 7 minute walk to the Convention Centre.
Rates (inclusive of full buffet breakfast): AUD$221 Standard room - king / twin; AUD$321 Superior Suite; AUD$435 Junior Suite; Presidential Suite on application.

Hilton Cairns
*****
5 Star Hotel with over 70% of rooms having stunning views over the water and to the rainforest covered mountains around Cairns. Large outdoor pool set in tropical gardens, jacuzzi, sauna and gymnasium. 7 minute walk to the Convention Centre.
Rate: AUD$225 Standard room – king /twin; Presidential Suite on application.

Shangri La
***** www.shangri-la.com/cairns
5 Star Hotel located at the forefront of Cairns City. Fabulous views of the Marlin Marina, Trinity Bay, the city of Cairns or the internal tropical gardens and pool. 10 minute walk to the Convention Centre.
Rates: AUD$$208 Premier; AUD$235 Water View; AUD$358 Water View Suite; Presidential Suite on application.

The Oasis Resort Cairns
****1/2 www.oasis-cairns.com.au
4.5 Star Resort located in the heart of Cairns, 100 metres from the city centre. 1 restaurant, 2 bars, large swimming pool with sandy beach and swim up bar, gymnasium and tour desk. 15 minute walk to the Convention Centre.
Rate: AUD$169 Standard room – single / twin / double

Rydges Esplanade
****1/2 www.rydges.com/locations
4.5 Star Resort with stunning views of the Coral Sea or surrounding mountain ranges – located only 15 minutes from the heart of Cairns and the Convention Centre. 2 restaurants, 3 bars, tennis courts, fully staffed health and fitness centre, masseuse, spa and sauna. Free transfers to and from the Convention Centre.
Rates: AUD$152 Standard room - single / twin / double; AUD$152 One Bedroom Studio; AUD$182 Two Bedroom Studio; AUD$177 One Bedroom Tower Apartment; AUD$237 Two Bedroom Tower Apartment

Trade Winds Esplanade Cairns
4.5 Star Hotel with water views from every room. Prime location on the Esplanade Boardwalk - within easy walking distance from the centre of the ‘new’ Cairns. Relax in the tropical pool and spa. 15 minute walk to the Convention Centre.
Rates: AUD$180 Superior inc breakfast; AUD$190 Deluxe Ocean View inc breakfast; AUD$205 Ocean Front inc breakfast; AUD$260 Executive Suite inc breakfast

Gilligans Hotel & Resort
*** www.gilligansbackpackers.com.au
Positioned in the central business area of Cairns, short walk to the Esplanade, Lagoon, Reef Boat Terminals, public transport hubs, shopping centres, nightclubs, bars & restaurants, lagoon style pool, spa and massage area, 2 restaurants. Also offers backpacker facilities and courtesy airport shuttle bus 7 days a week. 10 minute walk to the Convention Centre.
Rate: AUD$77 Standard room