"The Black Swan was first mentioned by the Dutch explorer Vlaming in the late 17th Century,who named the Swan River after these majestic creatures. Today they are iconic Western Australia figures who feature on the Western Australian flag."
Accommodation
Special rates have been negotiated for conference delegates at the hotels listed below. To receive these special rates and secure your accommodation booking, you must book your accommodation through the Conference Secretariat, International Conferences and Events (ICE) Australia.
CLICK HERE to REGISTER and BOOK ACCOMMODATION for the Conference.
Credit Card details are required to secure and confirm your booking (you will not receive further confirmation). You will be contacted by the Conference Secretariat if there are any changes.
Accommodation rates are per room per night – breakfast is not included.
All prices are quoted in AUD and inclusive of GST.
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| InterContinental Perth Burswood - 5 Star Standard Guest Rooms Available: |
Experience Perth’s leading luxury hotel, located beside the magnificent Swan River and set amidst 100 hectares of superbly landscaped gardens, parklands and golf course.
Guest rooms are finished in warm tones and rich Tasmanian oak, and include climate control to make your stay comfortable.
Booking Policy: Payment is to be settled by each individual guest. The delegate’s credit card is required 30 days prior to check in and may be charged for a deposit of one night’s accommodation.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation within 30 days prior to a guest check in will incur a penalty of one night’s room charge. This will be charged to the delegate’s credit card.
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| Holiday Inn Burswood - 5 Star Standard Guest Rooms Available: |
Holiday Inn Burswood offers you a relaxed atmosphere combined with friendly service, comfort and great value. Relax on the outdoor terrace, with its own pool and gymnasium and enjoy fantastic views over the Burswood Park Golf Course.
Booking Policy: Payment is to be settled by each individual guest. The delegate’s credit card is required 30 days prior to check in and may be charged for a deposit of one night’s accommodation.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation within 30 days prior to a guest check in will incur a penalty of one night’s room charge. This will be charged to the delegate’s credit card.
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| Country Comfort Inter City Perth - 4 Star Standard Guest Rooms Available: |
The Country Comfort Inter City Hotel and Apartments are located on the Great Eastern Highway in Belmont with easy access to all major roads, highways and both Domestic & International airport. The property is home to the award winning "Firehouse Restaurant" coupled with modern conference facilities, resort style pool, gym and tennis court the property is the ideal place to stay and relax while in Perth.
Booking Policy: Payment is to be settled by each individual guest. The delegate’s credit card is required 30 days prior to check in and may be charged for a deposit of one night’s accommodation.
Cancellation Policy:Cancellation within 30 days prior to a guest check in will incur a penalty of one night’s room charge. This will be charged to the delegate’s credit card.
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| Great Eastern Motor Lodge - 3 star Standard Guest Rooms Available: |
Great Eastern Motor Lodge offers air conditioned, fully serviced, luxurious accommodation to families, business people, transit visitors and the holiday maker.
Booking Policy: Payment is to be settled by each individual guest. The delegate’s credit card is required 30 days prior to check in and may be charged for a deposit of one night’s accommodation.
Cancellation Policy:Cancellation within 30 days prior to a guest check in will incur a penalty of one night’s room charge. This will be charged to the delegate’s credit card.
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| Toorak Lodge - 3 Star Standard Suites Available: |
Toorak Lodge is ideally situated halfway between Perth's city centre, the domestic airport and international airport on the Great Eastern Highway.
Each fully furnished and fully serviced suite room is equipped with shower room, remote controlled television, Foxtel, reverse cycle air-conditioning, fridge, telephone and coffee and tea facility.
Booking Policy: Payment is to be settled by each individual guest upon arrival. The delegate’s credit card is required 30 days prior to check in and may be charged for a deposit of one night’s accommodation.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation within 30 days prior to a guest check in will incur a penalty of one night’s room charge. This will be charged to the delegate’s credit card.
Information about Perth
Welcome to Perth, Western Australia
Western Australia is known for sun, adventure, friendly people and an awesome natural environment. Meet real Australian characters, enjoy the relaxed life style and experience the friendly hospitality Western Australians are famous for.
As well as unique holiday experiences, Western Australia also offers a range of quality accommodation, fresh local produce and award winning wines, diverse entertainment, arts and crafts, a rich heritage and aboriginal culture.
Perth City Centre is located alongside the peaceful waters of the Swan River, inland of the Indian Ocean.
During your visit to Perth you can enjoy one of the many river cruises which operate along the Swan river, some offering dining and music as you spend a few hours cruising in and out of the city. For spectacular panoramic views of Perth and the river, visit Kings Park and Botanic garden and take advantage of the many lookouts available to the public. Other main tourists attractions include the Perth Zoo and the Old Mill, both just a short ferry ride from the city. The Perth City Centre also offers a wealth of great shopping opportunities.
On a sunny day, you can explore the river by walking or cycling your way along the foreshore on one of the many cycle and walking tracks provided or, if you enjoy long relaxing walks along clean sandy beaches visit the Sunset Coast.
Some examples of the flora in Kings Park Botanical Gardens
PERTH'S ECONOMY
Perth's economy revolves around the mineral industry, which is responsible for much of the city's wealth. The discovery of vast mineral deposits in the 1970s resulted in a large influx of workers from other parts of Australia and abroad, and the subsequent growth in population. Today almost half of the population is under the age of 24. The tourist industry also plays a significant part in Perth's economy, as it does elsewhere in Australia, with Western Australia's beaches and national parks being the principal attractions.
TIME
Perth is eight hours ahead of GMT.
WEATHER/CLIMATE
Temperature is 8-20 Degrees Celsius. The days are cool and frequently sunny with short periods of rain.
For more information visit the Bureau of Meteorology
The WA Coastline
BUSINESS HOURS
As a general rule, business hours in Australia are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
SHOPPING
City shopping is centered around the Hay and Murray Street Malls and the arcades joining the two together. Forrest Place, a 'town square' bordered on four sides by Myer store, Wellington Street, the Central Post Office Building and the Murray Street Mall, is often the site of free public entertainment and street theatre. Buskers are a regular feature and the overpass from Myer to the Carillion Arcade offers a prime viewing spot. Across from Forrest Place is the Wellington Street Rail Station, the main terminal for the metropolitan train system.
ACCOMPANYING PERSONS TOURS
Western Australia is a great tourist destination. We encourage delegates to make the best of their time in WA and take in the sites.
We have done the hard work for you and put together a recommended social program for which exclusive Rhizosphere 3 Conference rates have been negotiated with the following tour operators:
Please contact these tour operators directly to make your bookings, or click below to download our suggested Accompanying Persons Program. Don't forget to mention the Rhizosphere 3 International Conference in order to receive the special conference rates.
Accompanying Persons Program
Whale Watching
Whale-watching tours make it easy to catch a glimpse of the gentle, majestic creatures. In Western Australia you're most likely to spot a humpback, southern right or blue whale. The best time to observe these serene mammals is at midday, when the sun is directly overhead.
In late April they travel from the southern ocean to breeding grounds in the warm northern waters. Then in August they return south to the cold seas to grow and mature. As luck would have it, delegates will be in Western Australia during the month of September when the rare blue whales and calves take refuge in the calm waters of Geographe Bay.
For more information on whale watching and other touring options, please visit either the WA Tourism Commission website www.westernaustralia.com, or alternatively the Discover West Holidays website www.discoverwest.com.au.
Some of the other popular tour options we recommend are:
- The historical port city of Fremantle
- Mandurah
- Rottnest Island
- Margaret River and WA's South West
- The Pinnacles
- Scenic national parks
Getting Around Perth
FREE CBD TRANSPORTATION
You can travel around the Perth and Fremantle CBD areas free when you use the Central Area Transport (CAT) buses or the Free Transit Zone (FTZ) in Perth city. They run frequently and routes take in the major attractions of the area. The CAT stops have distinctive stands and are easily recognizable. The city CAT stops have real time passenger information which tell you when the next bus is due. Wait at the stop and the driver will stop to pick you up. St Georges Terrace, Adelaide Terrace and much of the CBD is part of the FTZ.
For more information on the public transport system in and around Perth, please visit the Transport Information website: www.transperth.wa.gov.au
TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL
From Perth Domestic Airport - 12 kilometres, 20 minutes by car.
From Perth International Airport - 17 kilometres, 20 minutes by car.
From the railway station - 2 kilometres, 5 minutes by car.
SMOKING
From 31 July 2006, the Tobacco Products Control Regulations 2006 made under the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 prohibit smoking in all enclosed public places including those on licensed premises. The only exception to this is the Burswood Casino's International Room.
LANGUAGE
English is spoken throughout Australia, although Australian English includes terms and expressions not used elsewhere. Slang terms commonly used include 'tucker' - slang for food, 'cobber' - meaning friend, 'barbie' - which means barbeque, and 'tinny' - which is a can of beer. A number of indigenous languages are also spoken by Aborigines.
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
Australia has a number of quality daily papers, including The Australian and The Australian Financial Review. Newspapers specific to Western Australia include The Sunday Times and The West Australian. Foreign newspapers and magazines are available from most large newsagents in Perth.
ELECTRICITY
The standard electrical current in Australia is 240 volts. Plugs are three pronged.
CURRENCY
Australian currency operates on a decimal system, and the dollar is the basic unit. Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10, and $5 denominations. Coins come in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c, and 5c denominations.
CREDIT CARDS
The most frequently accepted credit cards are Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club and American Express.
BANKS
Changing money at banks will normally ensure the best rate of exchange. Opening hours are 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9:30 am to 5:00 pm on Friday.
TIPPING
There is no tradition of tipping in Australia. It is not obligatory and is up to the individual whether he or she wishes to reward good service. Restaurants do not add a service charge, and a tip of around 10% is appropriate for waiters or waitresses. Taxi drivers would not expect to be tipped, although do appreciate small change.
