[Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia]
After many years of organizing, ICA's annual conference for 2024 will take place at the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, on Yugambeh country.
The Gold Coast is known as one of Australia's premier tourist destinations, known for its world-class surf beaches, year-round sunshine, theme parks and entertainment. It is also home to an incredible culinary scene, arts and culture, all surrounded by the natural beauty of lush rainforests, waterfalls, and bushwalking trails.
Three universities have campuses on the Gold Coast: Griffith University, Bond University, and Southern Cross University. The nearby capital city of Brisbane, where some of the pre- and post-conferences for ICA will be held, is home to another seven.
Here are some tips and information you should know about passports, documents, vaccinations, cash, restricted items, and biosecurity.
Winter on the Gold Coast
While June is winter in Australia, you will be in 'Sunny Queensland' with an average high of 21C (70F) and lows of 11C (52F).
This weather is perfect for walks outside, either in the hinterland or along the beach. It's also still warm enough to take a dip in the ocean so remember to pack your togs (swimmers!).
The winter is also the best time to catch the sunrise over the ocean, which normally happens just after 6am.
Accommodation Options
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The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach
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Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2684-2690 Gold Coast Highway Broadbeach
Our ICA24 headquarters is the Star Gold Coast, although there will be multiple overflow blocks to nearby hotels, such as Sofitel. Please be sure to wait for our hotel block to open in early March - do not book at an ICA hotel without going through our room block - typically they will turn you away because they barely have any inventory outside of what we have contracted, but if you do somehow do it (by getting an uninformed hotel reservation agent), you'll pay more than double our negotiated rate AND your reservation won't be protected by our contract. Please refer to our FAQs for more information regarding accommodation options.
Getting to the Gold Coast
Entering Australia
Unless you are an Australian citizen, you will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. For the purposes of attending the ICA conference you will most likely need a Visitor Visa (Business Stream). Ensure that you apply for this visa early enough, as sometimes the wait time can be lengthy. For information on visa requirements and applications, please see the following: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/
You can travel to Australia without needing to provide proof of vaccination. The Australian Government has no COVID-19 requirements for travellers entering and departing Australia. COVID-19, however, continues to pose a health risk in Australia and overseas. The Australian Government encourages wearing masks and being vaccinated while travelling internationally.
Australia has strict biosecurity controls to help minimise the risk of pests and diseases entering the country. Check detailed import conditions on the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) website.
Flights to the Gold Coast
You will likely be arriving into Australia via Sydney or Brisbane Airport. If you are arriving via Sydney, you will then need to take a domestic flight to either Brisbane or Gold Coast airport. We recommend flying directly to the Gold Coast airport (OOL) in Coolangatta. From Coolangatta, you can take a bus, taxi, or ride-sharing services to Broadbeach (about a 30 minutes drive).
If you are arriving via Brisbane Airport, taxi and ride-sharing services to Broadbeach are possible but will be quite expensive. Various car rental options are also available as you exit the terminal. We would recommend the AirTrain which connects Brisbane Airport to Gold Coast train stations. Exiting the AirTrain at Helensvale station will connect you with the Gold Coast tram services (called theG:Link). Traveling southbound will take you to Broadbeach stations, which are directly in front of the conference venues and accommodation. The journey from Brisbane airport to Broadbeach on the AirTrain and G:Link services is about two hours and thirty minutes in total.
If you are considering public transport, please consult the tickets and fares options listed here or visit an AirTrain ticket office in the Brisbane domestic or international terminals upon your arrival.
Getting to The Star or the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Star and the Gold Coast Convention Centre are situated right next to each other in the heart of Broadbeach and are connected via a footbridge.
The southernmost end of the tram line on the Gold Coast is the Broadbeach South Station, which is five minutes' walk from The Star. The Broadbeach North Station is directly in front of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. This tram line connects to suburbs such as Surfers Paradise and Southport.
If you're arriving by bus from outside of Broadbeach, we recommend exiting at the Broadbeach South Station and either walking to The Star or catching the tram to Broadbeach North Station, if you are going to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
We recommend checking the latest schedules, the tram and bus network map, and routes on the official public transportation website Translink for the most up-to-date information:
Leading up to ICA24
Over the next few months, we'll be bringing you local insights, recommendations and advice for what to do, see, eat and explore around the Gold Coast. Stay tuned to hear more, and feel free to contact any of us as we lead up to the conference.