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The "University in the Forest" - Griffith University, the venue for the Symposium

Getting there: How to reach the Symposium and your accommodation

Registration

The Venue: Griffith University

The venue for the Fourth International Symposium/Workshop on Frugivory and Seed Dispersal is Griffith University (Nathan campus), sometimes known as 'the university in the forest.' Although justya 20-minute bus ride from the city centre, it is built within Toohey Forest, a primarily eucalypt-dominant forest with many walking trails: you could spend a couple of days walking the trails, rarely crossing over the same track twice. Toohey Forest is also home to many forest and woodland birds, several possum species, lizards, carpet pythons, frogs and other wildlife.

Griffith University was the second university to be established in Brisbane (the capital of Queensland, Australia), and one of the first universities in the world to establish interdisciplinary courses for undergraduates and postgraduates on environmental studies. The Faculty of Environmental Sciences has gained a reputation over the decades for innovative approaches and quality research and teaching. (See also our Sponsors' page)

Both the scenes above are betwwen the residential halls and the leacture theatres: part of the 3-minute walk you'll enjoy each morning

Delegates are encouraged to stay in the residential halls on campus, to faciltate the kind of discussions that makes such symposia special. As a bonus, wake up to kookaburra calls and other forest sounds!

There are also quality motels and hotels in the vicinity, and a 20-minute express bus-ride to the city brings you to a cluster of budget hostels for those traveling 'on a shoestring.'

Remember July is in the middle of the Southern Hemisphere winter: pack warm clothes for evening ! Day-time can still be warm, so bring cooler clothes also. It is our dry season, but weather is unpredictable - a raincoat or umbrella may be handy; and a sun-hat and comfortable shoes if you intend to do some walking.

The residential halls

The Campus Club: the venue for our welcoming drinks and conference dinner: great ambience, greatr meals, watch birds by day and possums by night as you wine and dine (it is not far from the lecture theatres and poster displays, so you may decide to have a meal, snack or drink there at other times: the quality of the meals matches that of the view)

Some of the wildlife of Toohey Forest

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Map of venue. There will be maps available also on your arrival

Download a map of Griffith University, Nathan campus.

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How to get there,and car parking

Parking

Car parking at Griffith University costs $5.00 per day, and is available at East Carpark bays B, C and D (see http://www.griffith.edu.au/locations/maps/na_map.pdf).   Parking areas will be sign-posted. Vouchers can be purchased at vending machines at the entrance to the University and at the entrance to the Carpark. Vending machines take coins only (excluding 50 cent pieces). Please ensure you have the correct change before arriving, as delegates will be fined for failing to pay parking fees.

Getting there

Brisbane Airport to Griffith Campus (or Robertson Gardens)

There are a couple of options:

1.    Take a cab from the airport to the campus.   Ask to be taken to the Hub or the residential halls on the Nathan campus of Griffith University (or to Comfort Inn Robertson Gardens Motel, Kessels Road).

2.    At the Airport take the airport bus or the Airtrain to the Brisbane Transit Centre on Roma Street (City) and walk 3 blocks to the Myer Centre on Queen Street. (Ask for directions). At the Myer Centre go to the basement and catch a 135 or 155 bus.   If arriving by daylight there'll be people to ask how to find the residences, which are not too far from the bus stop (it will involve walking through the wide tunnel under the road)

Robertson Gardens Motel to Griffith Campus

To reach the Symposium from the Motel, as you leave the Motel turn left and walk down Kessels Road. Wherever safe to do so, cross to the other side. The forest here is part of Toohey Forest, wherein lies Griffith University. Before the main entrance to the University there is a walking track, which will be signposted for the Symposium. A few minutes' walk up this track will bring you to the Hub (where registration will be on Saturday 9th) and the accommodation. Look for Symposium signs.

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Registration Desk

Registration will open on Saturday evening (17:30 - 19:00) in the mezzanine of the Hub (N11 on Griffith Map http://www.griffith.edu.au/locations/maps/na_map.pdf), which is just near the accommodation (N39). We will be opening the bar at the Campus Club (N71) for informal drinks and gatherings. The bar will open from 17:30 and close at 20:00 ( don't forget dinner for those being catered for by the Griffith colleges closes at 19:00; see below) . The Campus Club Kitchen will not be open for meals that night.

From Sunday onwards, the Registration Desk will be located at the reading pits (beneath N16, northern side), where poster sessions and trade tables will also be held. We will have a Welcome Reception on Sunday commencing at 18:30. The Registration Desk will be attended at the following times unless otherwise announced or sign-posted:

Registration Desk opening times

Saturday 9 July ............................................ 17:30 - 19:00 ....................... Mezzanine of the Hub (N11)

Sunday 10 July ............................................ 18:30 - 21:30 ....................... Reading pit (north side of N16)

Monday 11 July ........................................... 07:30 - 18:30 ....................... Reading pit (north side of N16)

Tuesday 12 July ........................................... 07:30 - 18:00 ....................... Reading pit (north side of N16)

Wednesday 13 July ...................................... 07:30 - 18:00 ....................... Reading pit (north side of N16)

Thursday 14 July .......................................... 07:30 - 18:00 ....................... Reading pit (north side of N16)

Friday 15 July ............................................. 07:30 - 18:00 ........................ Reading pit (north side of N16)

Please use the registration desk as your main port of call for information and assistance. The conference organising team and volunteers will also wear especially coloured name tags so that they can be easily identified if you need assistance away from the desk.

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