Locating PeV Cosmic-Ray Accelerators: Future Detectors in Multi-TeV Gamma-Ray Astronomy

Adelaide 6 - 8 December 2006

About Adelaide

Adelaide is the captial city of the state of South Australia, with a population of just over 1 million. Adelaide is known for its relaxed lifestyle, world-class restaurants and Mediterranean climate. December is summer in Adelaide with average maxima around 27 degrees C and minima around 16 C. However it is not uncommon for the maximum to exceed 40 C so please make sure to bring a hat and sunscreen! Adelaide is situated between the scenic Adelaide Hills to the east and the Gulf of St. Vincent to the west. The Gulf provides beautiful sandy beaches along much of Adelaide's 40km-long coastline. Adelaide is also the gateway to Australia's premier wine-growing regions, the Barossa Valley and the McLaren Vale regions. For those participants wishing to enjoy some time off during their stay, the following links are good starting points: South Australian Tourism Comission, Adelaide Info

Australian Dollar

The Australian Dollar (AUD or $A) varies in its value with respect to other currencies. As of 2 June 2006
1 AUD = 0.75 USD (US dollars)
1 AUD = 0.58 EUR (EURO).
1 AUD = 0.40 GBP (UK Pound). Checkout www.x-rates.com for the latest rates.

Arrival

For air travellers, the city is served by the Adelaide Airport. It is anticipated that many participants will also travel to Australia for the XXIII Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics (in Melbourne, 11-15 December 2006). Adelaide is a 1 hour domestic flight from Melbourne and flights can be booked online from several airlines:
Qantas Airways
Virgin Blue
Jet Star (NOTE: Jet Star departs Melbourne's Avalon airport, ~60km south-west of Melbourne International Airport)

Visa Information (for International Participants)

A reminder that all foreign citizens (New Zealand citizens excepted) are required to obtain a visa before travelling to Australia. Visas can be obained (in many cases) online through the Australian Department of Immigration. The online visa application is known as an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and in this case it's appropriate to apply for a 'Short Validity Business ETA'. Visas should be obtained AT LEAST 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

Adelaide Airport Connection to/from City

Adelaide Airport is about 7km west of the city centre and several transport options are available to the city:

Taxis - 15 to 20 mins; AUD $20 - $30.
SkyLink Airport Shuttle Bus (stops at several city hotels) - 30 to 45 min; Return AUD $15, One way $7
Adelaide Metro JetBus Regular Buses to/from airport - 30 to 45 min; One ride AUD $3.50, $2.00 (off peak times)
Car hire through major companies such as AVIS, Hertz, and Budget etc. is also available.

Accomodation

For convenience we have pre-booked accomodation (5th to 9th December) at two locations:

• Residential Wing of the Royal Adelaide Hospital (hospital map)
  Situated at the corner of Frome Road & North Terrace, 300 metres east of the University.
  AUD $17.60 per night (pre-booked 50 single rooms with shared bathroom/toilets; breakfast can be obtained from the nearby cafeteria). Please email us if you want to secure one of these rooms. Room keys for the Residential Wing can be picked up at the reception (open 24 hrs). We are told that taxi drivers can drop you off very close the reception, which is at the north-western side of the hostpital - see hospital map
• Lincoln College website (map)
  AUD $50 per night bed & breakfast (pre-booked 30 single rooms with shared bathroom/toilets). To secure one of these rooms, please email Bob Sloane, and quote the reference phrase Gamma-Adelaide. Lincoln College is situated in North Adelaide, just 10-15 min walk north of the University and convenient to many restauants and bars.

These pre-bookings will expire after 15 November and rooms are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Rooms may still be available after this date however. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of these offers as a major sporting event, the Ashes cricket test between Australia and England will take place in Adelaide 1 to 5 December, and much accomodation has already sold for the 1 to 6 Dec period, making life a bit difficult if you arrive on the 5th Dec.

Nevertheless, there are many 3 and 4 star hotels within 15 minutes walking distance of the University. Ideal locations are North Terrace and Frome Street. Several hotels located on North Terrace are listed below (check websites for latest prices):

Best Western Riviera 31-34 North Terrace (from AUD $110 single room) +61 882318000
Mercure Grosvenor Hotel 125 North Terrace (from AUD $99 single room) +61884078888
Strathmore Hotel 129 North Terrace (from AUD $115 single room) +61882382900

Also try hotel.com.au and austcorporate.com.au for online deals.