Conference Guide

FOSS4G SotM Oceania - Attendee Guide

The inaugural FOSS4G SotM Oceania conference is taking place at the University of Melbourne in the Old Arts Building. The conference begins Tuesday, November 20th and ends with the Community Day on Friday, November 23rd.

Public Transport

Melbourne has a great public transportation system, known as PTV, and includes trams, trains, and buses. The #19 tram is an easy way to get to the Conference Dinner from the University of Melbourne [directions].

You'll need a myki card to travel on PTV. They cost $6 and you need to add credit to your myki to travel. They're widely available, but you can't buy them on the tram (you can get them at some stations). Find more information here.

Accommodation

Given this is our first conference, we’re focusing our efforts elsewhere and do not have any official accommodation partners. The following is a list of recommendations provided by our community. We have no affiliation with any of accommodation options listed below.

$$$ Big money
Carlton Clocktower Apartments
Average price per night ($AUD): $209 for 2 bedroom apartment
Address: 255 Drummond Street, Carlton
Distance to venue (walking): 16 minutes
Benefits: Close to the conference venue and Lygon Street’s bustling cafe and restaurant scene.

Rydges on Swanston
Average price per night ($AUD): $189
Address: 701 Swanston St, Carlton
Distance to venue (walking): 13 minutes
Benefits: Close to the conference venue and Lygon Street’s bustling cafe and restaurant scene.

$$ Middle of the road
Brady Hotels Central Melbourne
Price: $169
Address: 30 Little La Trobe St, Melbourne
Distance to venue: 23 minutes
Benefits: Clean, modern rooms. Situated in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, but not far from the conference venue as well.

ibis Melbourne Swanston Street Hotel
Price: $116
Address: 609 Swanston St, Carlton
Distance to venue: 17 mins
Benefits: Well priced and close to both city and conference venue. If you have stayed at other ibis hotels you know what to expect.

$ Cheap
Space Hotel/Hotel
Price: $35
Address: 380 Russell street, Melbourne
Distance to venue: 25 minutes
Benefits: Allows you to put your money to more important things like our workshop lineup. Right on the edge of the downtown area.

AirBnB
AirBnB is another economical option with plenty of listed properties in Melbourne. Partner up with others to reduce your costs. Feel free to reach out to other interested parties on the Maptime Australia Slack group or via our mailing list.

What to do in Melbourne

Within Melbourne:

  • Australian Centre of the Moving Image (ACMI) - Part of Federation Square
  • Federation Square
  • National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
  • Royal Botanic Gardens
  • St. Kilda Beach

Further afield:

  • Mornington Peninsula
  • Mount Dandenong
  • Phillip Island
  • The Twelve Apostles
  • Wilsons Promontory National Park
  • Yarra Valley

Useful links:

Visas

The majority of international visitors from Oceania will need a visa with the exception of citizens from New Zealand and New Caledonia. Visa processing can take time, so make sure you get onto this ASAP

Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for up to date visa information and application forms. Contact admin@foss4g-oceania.org should you require any assistance or documentation for your visa process.

Wikipedia also has a useful article on the Visa policy of Australia.