Conference Location
University of New South Wales
High St, Kensington NSW 2052, Australia
Visa
Anyone who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen requires a visa to enter Australia. As requirements vary depending on citizenship and country, we are unable to offer advice or detailed instructions regarding visa applications. Consequently, we refer our visitors to the visa list on the Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs website. If you are eligible to apply for the Visitor (subclass 600) visa the information is available here. If you are eligible for the eVisitor (subclass 651) visa, the information is available here. If you are eligible to apply for the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) visa, the information is available here. Please contact s.johannes@unsw.edu.au if you require an invitation letter.
Campus
The UNSW Kensington Campus is the main campus of the University of New South Wales, one of Australia's leading universities. Established in 1949, the university comprises seven faculties through which it offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, with its main campus located in the Sydney eastern suburb of Kensington, 7 kilometres from the Sydney CBD.
The campus spans 38 hectares at Kensington and serves as a busy, thriving community, the size of a small town. Located in the eastern suburbs, the campus is highly accessible via public transport, with regular bus and light rail services stopping right out the front on Anzac Parade, connecting to Circular Quay, Central, Randwick and Kingsford.
The Kensington campus houses the university's main facilities and serves as the primary hub for UNSW's academic activities.
The conference sessions will take place in the Colombo House (A) and the Business School (B). Luncheons and receptions will take place in the foyer of the Colombo House. For the best coffee, take a quick walk to Maze, which is located at the corner of High Street and Gate Two Avenue or Home Ground, which is located right next to The Village Green by the University Mall.
Sydney
Sydney is Australia's largest city, built around one of the world's most beautiful natural harbors and home to iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The city combines a vibrant urban center with stunning beaches, from the famous Bondi and Manly to dozens of harbor coves and ocean coastlines.
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House stands as one of the world's most recognizable architectural masterpieces and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Even if you don't attend a performance, the building itself warrants exploration. Guided tours reveal the fascinating construction story, the innovative engineering behind Jørn Utzon's revolutionary design, and access to areas normally off-limits to the public. The building tours run throughout the day and include visits to the concert halls, drama theaters, and often rehearsal spaces.
You can book tours or performances on the Sydney Opera House Website: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com.
Whale watching cruises
Sydney is one of the world’s premier whale-watching destinations. Each year between May and November, over 20,000 humpback whales migrate north from Antarctic feeding grounds to breed and calve in Queensland’s warmer waters. The peak northbound migration falls in June and July, while the southbound return with playful calves is best in September and October, with August often delivering the most energetic breaching displays.
A wide variety of whale-watching cruises depart daily from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, and Manly, offering unforgettable encounters with these majestic creatures.
The Australian Museum
The Australian Museum in Sydney is Australia's first museum, established in 1827, and is renowned for its extensive collections of natural history, indigenous culture, and paleontology. Located on College Street near Hyde Park, it houses everything from dinosaur fossils and mineral displays to significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural artifacts. The museum is particularly famous for its research programs and educational exhibits that showcase Australia's unique wildlife, geological history, and the world's oldest continuous cultures.
The Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is located at Circular Quay with stunning harbor views, housed in a distinctive Art Deco building that was originally a Maritime Services Board office. It showcases contemporary Australian and international art from the 1960s onwards, featuring rotating exhibitions, a significant collection of Indigenous Australian art, and works by emerging and established contemporary artists. The museum is known for its innovative exhibitions and free entry to many displays.
The Australian National Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour showcases Australia's rich maritime heritage through interactive exhibits, historic vessels, and engaging displays covering everything from Indigenous watercraft to modern naval history. The museum features an impressive fleet of historic ships moored outside that visitors can board and explore, including a replica of Captain Cook's HMB Endeavour, warships, and submarines. With collections spanning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander maritime culture, immigration stories, naval history, and Australia's relationship with the sea, it offers a comprehensive look at how the ocean has shaped Australian life and identity.
The Hyde Park Barracks
The Hyde Park Barracks is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed colonial building built in 1819 to house convict men, designed by convict architect Francis Greenway. Located on Macquarie Street opposite Hyde Park, it later served as an immigration depot for single women and then as government offices, representing different chapters of Australian social history. Now a museum, it tells the stories of the convicts, immigrants, and government workers who lived and worked there, featuring archaeological discoveries, reconstructed sleeping quarters, and interactive exhibits that bring to life the harsh realities and daily experiences of colonial Sydney.
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is a spectacular six-kilometre clifftop promenade that captures the essence of Sydney’s eastern shore. As you traverse from Bondi Beach through Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly, Gordons Bay and finally to Coogee, the path gently undulates over sandstone headlands and alongside the sweeping Pacific. Well-paved and clearly signposted, the trail is accessible to most fitness levels, though you will encounter a series of stone staircases and occasional uneven sections—nothing too taxing, but worth noting if you’re planning on stopping for a dip or two at the ocean pools. At a relaxed pace, you’ll complete the walk in two to three hours, though art lovers often linger at Sculpture by the Sea, coffee aficionados linger longer at beachside cafés, and photographers find every vista irresistible.
Spit Bridge to Manly Walk
Often referred to as the Manly Scenic Walkway, the journey from Spit Bridge to Manly winds for approximately ten kilometres through pockets of Sydney Harbour National Park, offering a far more rugged contrast to the urban coastal scene of Bondi. This route features boardwalks, forested gullies, rocky headlands and occasional short, steep climbs that demand good footwear and a moderate level of fitness. In clear weather, the Arabanoo Lookout reveals sweeping harbour vistas, while Grotto Point treats walkers to ancient Aboriginal rock engravings. Allow three to four hours for the hike, with time to cool off at the sheltered cove of Forty Baskets Beach or to rest at Clontarf Reserve. Begin by catching a bus to The Spit, then unwind at Manly Wharf before returning to the city by ferry or bus.
Taronga Zoo
Perched on the shores of Sydney Harbour, Taronga Zoo combines world-class wildlife conservation with arguably the most spectacular zoo setting on Earth. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 350 species, the zoo's hillside location provides stunning harbor views as a backdrop to your wildlife encounters. The zoo's commitment to conservation is evident throughout, with many endangered species breeding programs and educational displays.
Day Trip to the Blue Mountains
Just 90 minutes west of Sydney lies the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, offering a perfect escape from city life. The region gets its name from the blue haze created by eucalyptus oil droplets in the air. Start your journey in Katoomba, where you can visit the iconic Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point. The dramatic sandstone pillars are best viewed at sunrise or sunset when the light transforms the landscape into gold and amber.
Take the scenic Scenic Railway, the world's steepest railway, down into the Jamison Valley, or opt for the gentler Scenic Skyway that glides 270 meters above the valley floor. For hiking enthusiasts, the Grand Canyon Loop Walk offers spectacular views through temperate rainforest, while the more challenging Six Foot Track provides a full-day adventure. Don't miss Leura's charming main street with its antique shops and cafes, or the beautiful gardens at Mount Wilson.
By Train Take the Blue Mountains Line from Central Station. Trains run regularly throughout the day, and the journey takes about 2 hours to Leura and 2 hours 15 minutes to Katoomba. You can catch the train from Central, Strathfield, or Parramatta stations. The service runs directly without transfers, making it very convenient. Trains typically run every hour during peak times and every 2 hours during off-peak.
By Car Drive west on the M4 Western Motorway, then take the M4 to the Great Western Highway. The drive takes about 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic, and you'll head through Penrith before climbing into the mountains. Parking is available in both towns, though it can get busy on weekends.
Public Transport
Sydney’s public transport network is managed by Transport for NSW and comprises five main modes — metro, train, bus, ferry and light rail — supplemented by an extensive road and cycleway network and a contactless ticketing system. All services use a tap-on/tap-off system: you can use either a contactless credit or debit card or your smartphone. The University of New South Wales (Kensington campus) is served by the Sydney Light Rail and by several bus routes (390X, 392, 392X, 396, 348, 370).
Getting from the Airport
From Sydney Airport, the best way to reach UNSW is by taking the T8 Airport Line train to Central Station, then transferring to the L2 Randwick Light Rail, which drops you directly at UNSW (either at the High Street or Anzac Parade stops). This takes about 30–35 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the train to Green Square Station and then the 370 bus to UNSW, which takes a similar amount of time.
To get to the Eastern Suburbs, such as Bondi or Coogee, take the train to Central, then switch to the T4 line to Bondi Junction. From there, catch a local bus to your destination. This journey usually takes 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic and connections.
All public transport uses contactless payment—just tap on and off with a credit card or phone.
If you're carrying luggage or prefer a more direct trip, a taxi or Uber from the airport to UNSW or the Eastern Suburbs takes around 15 minutes and costs 30AUD–50AUD depending on the time of day. For rideshare services, please arrange with your driver to meet you at the priority pick-up area.