Visiting Sydney Australia
Workshop Location
Lowenthal Auditorium, Education Block, Westmead Hospital
Cnr Hawkesbury & Darcy Roads
Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145
Australia
Accommodation
The following links may be helpful in finding accommodation close to Westmead Hospital:
Crowne Plaza Parramatta http://www.crowneplazaparramatta.com.au
The Sebel Parramatta http://www.mirvachotels.com/sebel-parramatta
Courtyard by Marriott Parramatta http://www.marriott.com.au
For more information on accommodation in Sydney please visit http://www.sydneyhotelsaccommodation.com
Transport
The following links may be helpful in finding public transport to Westmead:
Cityrail Timetable information http://www.cityrail.info/timetable/index.jsp
Transport Infoline http://www.131500.info/newjourney.asp
For more information on public transport, visitor guides and information on Sydney, please visit http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Visitor Information
Information about the City of Sydney is available at:
Visit: http://www.seesydney.com.au
Language
The official language of Australia is English.
Time Zones
Situated to the west of the International Date Line, the time in Sydney is ahead of most other international destinations.
Time differences between Sydney and the following cities are:
• New York: 15 hours behind
• London: 10 hours behind
• Paris: 9 hours behind
• Moscow: 7 hours behind
• Bangkok: 3 hours behind
• Hong Kong: 2 hours behind
• Tokyo: 1 hour behind.
Banking and Business Hours
Banks are generally open:
Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 4pm
Friday 9.30am to 5pm.
Post offices are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Office hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Retail shops are open:
Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm
Thursday 9am to 9pm
Saturday 9am to 4pm
Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Currency and Currency Exchange
Australian currency is decimal and the dollar is the basic unit (100 cents equals one dollar). Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations. Coins come in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.
Exchange facilities are available for all incoming and outgoing flights at the Sydney International Airport. Changing foreign currency can be done quickly and efficiently at most banks and at Bureau de Change outlets.
Disabled Visitors
In recent years, access for disabled people in the City of Sydney has improved significantly.
Click here for information about wheelchair accessible facilities within the city.
Tipping
Tipping is not the general custom in Australia, with the exception of fine dining restaurants where it is usual to tip food and drink waiters up to 10 per cent of the bill for good service. At any time, however, tipping is your choice.
Find out more about the City of Sydney at the following websites:
Tourism NSW
The official website of Tourism New South Wales enables you to plan holidays in Sydney and provides accommodation, destination and attraction information.
Visit: http://www.seesydney.com.au
Sydney CitySearch
Sydney CitySearch enables you to search for listings, reviews and maps of local events, businesses, venues, entertainment and attractions.
Visit: http://www.sydney.citysearch.com.au
Electricity
Electrical current is 240/250V, AC 50Hz. The Australian three-pin power outlet is different from that in many countries, so you will need an adaptor. If your appliances are 110V, check if there is a 110/240V switch. If not, you will need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers are usually found in leading hotels.