Arrival Cheatsheet

From LCA2012

This document is intended as an unofficial printable "cheatsheet" for International conference attendees to assist from landing to registering at the conference. Although its targeted at International travelers, Australians may find it useful as well. The information on this page may duplicate other pages on the wiki, but this page is intended to be printed by the traveler before leaving.

What is missing

You should print this page, and the following additional documents before you fly. Hard copies aren't always needed, but they are very useful when they are!

• Your conference registration confirmation, showing accommodation (if any) and bus bookings (if needed).
• Your airline eTicket (technology doesn't always work!).
• Your transport booking confirmation, if you have pre-booked. (SkyBus, Vline train, Airport Shuttlebus, Rental car, etc).
• Your accommodation booking confirmation (if not staying at the University).

Arriving at Melbourne Airport

First, I assume you've arrived at Melbourne (MEL) and not Avalon (AVV).

Disembark from the plane, and make your way to the Entry Control Point (immigration). following the signs. You will need to have your passport, visa (if required), and completed incoming passenger card (you filled it out on the plane right?).

Collect your baggage from the baggage collection area and proceed to the exit, please please ensure you declare anything you should (Australian Customs Guide). Australia has tight border controls, so ensure you read up on what you may need to declare.

Mobile phones

Some attendees will want to get their mobile connectivity sorted out as soon as possible. There is a Telstra store in the airport, as you exit quarantine, head left, up to the 1st floor, and to the Qantas domestic terminal (T1). See the wiki for details on suitable providers, costs, etc. There is an Optus store selling $30 pre-pay SIM cards in the arrivals hall of T2.

Otherwise, there are an assortment of stores in Ballarat, notably in Bridge Mall, a short walk from the train station.

LCA Guide

On Sunday the 15th, there will be a person stationed at the airport all day, who can assist with locating buses, and any other assorted problems. If you run into trouble, look for the people wearing the linux.conf.au shirts and signs, or give them a ring on 0477 450 341 (try +61-477-450-341 from your international cellphone).

Transport

Now it's time to proceed to your applicable transport option:

• Conference bus: Directly opposite the international terminal on the ground floor, cross the first road, head for the regional and suburban bus shelter.
• SkyBus: Exit the terminal and immediately head to your right, outside terminal 3. Look for the SkyBus signs.
• Airport Shuttlebus: Directly opposite the International terminal, on the ground floor. Cross over the first road at traffic lights, head for the Regional and Suburban Bus Shelter on the second road stretching left from the traffic lights to the corner.
• Rental cars: Follow the signs, heading right as soon as you exit quarantine, staying inside, head for Terminal 3, all the way down the end.
• Taxis: Immediately outside the international terminal and the ground floor.

SkyBus and vLine Train

If you are traveling by train to Ballarat, you'll be first catching the SkyBus to the Southern Cross Terminal, the bus will take you to outside the Southern Cross Train Station. See your vLine ticket and/or the departure boards for what platform to go to.

Ballarat Train Station

The conference buses from the airport will take you straight to the conferences/accommodation, but most other transports will deposit you at the Ballarat train station.

From there conference supplied shuttle buses will be running throughout Sunday, leaving approximately every hour (10-15mins after each train arrival). Otherwise, catch the #10 (route 10) bus from outside the train station, heading for the University, Mt Helen campus. You can pay cash on the bus.

Sharing a Ride

If you have spare seats, or, you want to ride with another delegate to LCA, please check the Sharing Rides page

Accommodation and Registration

You've finally made it to Ballarat! Next up, accommodation and registration. This part depends on where you are staying.

University accommodation

If you are staying at the university, and are arriving on the Sunday, then you will want to head straight for the conference registration, as the accommodation check-in desk is located there. The desk is open from 11am till 9pm on the Sunday.

If you are arriving after Sunday, you'll want to head for the Accommodation Services Office instead, but you can go to the conference check-in first, and get directions from there.

Skip to the Registration section for instructions on where conference registration is.

Other accommodation

If you are staying some place else, then you'll probably want to check in there before registration. The conference bus and shuttles will be doing stops at some of the major accommodation venues, but ask when you board.

After that, its time to go register. If you've arrived on Sunday and used a conference bus, you can check if there will be another bus that can pick you up, otherwise, you can catch a taxi or the #10 public bus (route 10). You will want the one saying Buninyong or University, not the one saying Ballarat (ask reception at your accommodation if unsure).

Registration

Registration is in the Caro building of the University of Ballarat, Chancellor Drive, Mount Helen campus. There will be signs. Registration is open on Sunday from 2pm, and each day of the conference from 8:30am.

Problems

If you find yourself lost, or run into problems, please call the on-call conference mobile on 0477 450 341 (+61-477-450-341)