Social and Tours

RAPID EPANSION OF AN UNSTABLE NEUTRON STAR
Credit: Rezzolla (AEI) / Benger (ZIB)

SOCIAL PROGRAM

WELCOME RECEPTION - SYDNEY CONVENTION CENTRE

SUNDAY 8 JULY 2007
Time: 1730 – 1900

You'll be disappointed if you miss the Welcome Reception to be held on Sunday evening. Take this first opportunity to meet up with your colleagues and friends for drinks and canapés.
Tickets are inclusive for Full Delegates and Accompanying persons
Additional Tickets: AUD 77

Sponsored by

SYDNEY OBSERVATORY TOUR/”LEAP OF FAITH” PERFORMANCE

MONDAY 9 JULY 2007
Time: 1815 – 2000

Attend a special private tour of the Sydney Obsevatory, viewing of the 3D Space Theatre (which utilises 3D technology developed in Australia by the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at the Swinburne Institute of Technology in Melbourne) and short play based on the theories of Galileo and Newton. The tour is guided by an astronomy educator and makes use of the telescopes for viewing (weather permitting).
           
Tickets: AUD30 per person (open to a maximum of 35 people – book fast!)

CONFERENCE BANQUET - SYDNEY HARBOUR CRUISE

WEDNESDAY 11 July 2007
Time: 1900 - 2300
Departs from Wharf within walking distance to Conference Venue

Delegates have the opportunity to relax and socialise as they cruise on picturesque Sydney Harbour. Outdoor and indoor viewing decks give you a comprehensive view of Sydney Harbour and surrounds, including the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, the Rocks area and spectacular foreshores. This relaxed friendly cruise includes drinks and a gourmet dinner.
Tickets: AUD 110 per person

 

OPTIONAL TOURS

The tours below must be booked during the registration process and paid in full at the time of booking.

ORIENTATION CRUISES ON SYDNEY HARBOUR - $46 per person

An orientation cruise on Sydney Harbour is a must for every visitor to Sydney. Departing from Darling Harbour, this leisurely cruise showcases the Sydney Opera House, city skyline, Harbour Bridge and travels into the upper reaches of Middle Harbour. Morning or afternoon tea is included and an informative commentary is provided by the cruise hostess.

Tour Details:
Time: 14:00
Date:Wednesday 11 July 2007
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Departs from Sydney Aquarium Wharf (delegates to make their own way to departure point)

ABORIGINAL CULTURAL SYDNEY HARBOUR CRUISE – $60.00 per person

Experience Sydney Harbour as you have never experienced it before. Explore its waters on our unique cultural harbour cruise. We will take you on a journey from pre-white settlement through our coastal lifestyle - uncovering traditional fishing methods and food gathering techniques, Aboriginal settlements and rock carvings. Discover our culture and enjoy the sights of Sydney Harbour. Cruise between the harbour's spectacular sandstone cliffs and headlands, visit small sandy beaches, rocky foreshores and picturesque inlets, and enjoy the relaxed and friendly company of your Aboriginal hosts and crew.
Prices include an island visit, traditional welcome dance and light refreshments.
NOTE: Bring your camera.

Tour Details:
Time: 12.45
Date: Monday 9 July, Tuesday, 10 July, Wednesday 11 July, Thursday 12 July or Friday 13 July
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes.
Departs from Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay (delegates to make their own way to departure point)

BRIDGECLIMB - $199 per person

Scale the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of the city's most beloved and famous icons. After an exhilarating climb take in a bird's eye view of one of the world's most beautiful harbour cities. Fully trained staff will make sure you have a safe and relaxed BridgeClimb experience.
To complete the climb you'll need:

• Reasonable levels of fitness and strength
• Full body control and hand-eye-foot coordination
• Ability to climb independently (unsupported by walking aids).

Includes pick-up and drop-off from The Sydney Convention Centre.

Tour Details:
Time: 14.00 – 18.00
Date: Wednesday 11 July 2007
Includes pick-up and drop-off from The Sydney Convention Centre.

 

SYDNEY SKYWALK TOUR - $145* per person

For the best views of the city without wings, Sydney Skywalk takes you (literally!) to the top of town and lets you view the city beneath your feet. You’ll be harnessed onto a boardwalk that includes a moving glass-floored viewing platform extending over the edge of Sydney Tower – a breathtaking 260 metres above Sydney. From there you’ll enjoy exhilarating panoramic views of the entire city (including landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House) all the way from the ocean to the distant Blue Mountains.

Includes pick-up and drop-off from conference hotels.

Tour Details:
Time: 14.00 – 18.00
Date: Wednesday 11 July 2007
Includes pick-up and drop-off from The Sydney Convention Centre.

 

KOALAS AND KANGAROOS TOUR

An excellent opportunity to observe and meet Australia's most unique native animals-close up! Spend some quality time at Featherdale Wildlife Park (just outside of Sydney) and get to know Australia's amazing native animals including Emus, Tasmanian Devils, Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Koalas, Kangaroos and a range of reptiles and birds.

Includes pick up/drop off from Conference Hotels, transfers and entrance fees.

NOTE: Bring your camera

Tour Details:
Time: 8.30am
Dates: Monday 9 July, Wednesday 11 July or Friday 13 July
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

 

BLUE MOUNTAINS PLUS KOALA AND KANGAROOS TOUR

Enjoy a leisurely coach ride to the Blue Mountains, on the way stopping to visit Featherdale Wildlife Park and get up close and personal with Australia’s most unique native animals including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and emus. In the Blue Mountains you will take a stroll through the village of Leura and visit the Three Sisters and Scenic World which is home to the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world. You will also take a walk through the Jamison Valley into the rainforest and ride the train back to the top. On the way back to Sydney there will be a short stop at Olympic Park where you will be able to witness this unique sporting venue.

Tour Details:
Time: 8.00am – 5.00pm
Dates: Tuesday 10 July

*Please note that a minimum of 12 people is required for this tour

 

ACCOMPANYING PERSONS PROGRAM

Registered Accompanying Persons must select from one of the tours below during the registration process.

ABORIGINAL CULTURAL SYDNEY HARBOUR CRUISE

Experience Sydney Harbour as you have never experienced it before. Explore its waters on our unique cultural harbour cruise. We will take you on a journey from pre-white settlement through our coastal lifestyle - uncovering traditional fishing methods and food gathering techniques, Aboriginal settlements and rock carvings. Discover our culture and enjoy the sights of Sydney Harbour. Cruise between the harbour's spectacular sandstone cliffs and headlands, visit small sandy beaches, rocky foreshores and picturesque inlets, and enjoy the relaxed and friendly company of your Aboriginal hosts and crew.

Tour Details:
Time: 12.45
Dates: Monday 9 July, Tuesday 10 July, Wednesday 11 July, Thursday 12 July or Friday 13 July
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes.
Departs from Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay (delegates to make their own way to departure point)

KOALAS AND KANGAROOS TOUR
An excellent opportunity to observe and meet Australia's most unique native animals-close up! Spend some quality time at Featherdale Wildlife Park (just outside of Sydney) and get to know Australia's amazing native animals including Emus, Tasmanian Devils, Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Koalas, Kangaroos and a range of reptiles and birds.
Includes pick up/drop off from Conference Hotels, transfers and entrance fees.
NOTE: Bring your camera

Tour Details:
Time: 8.30am
Dates: Monday 9 July,  Wednesday 11 July or Friday 13 July
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Main banner captions:

image 1: 'Distribution of detached white-dwarf–white-dwarf binaries in our galaxy as a function of the gravitational wave frequency and chirp mass.' from Simulation of the white dwarf–white dwarf galactic background in the LISA data Jeffrey A Edlund, Massimo Tinto, Andrzej Królak, and Gijs Nelemans 2005 Class. Quantum Grav. 22 S913-S926

image 2: 'A three-dimensional visualization of the mesh including the excised region and the refinement around the particle.', from A toy model for testing finite element methods to simulate extreme-mass-ratio binary systems Carlos F Sopuerta, Pengtao Sun Pablo Laguna and Jinchao Xu 2006 Class. Quantum Grav. 23 251-285

image 3: 'Scalar gravitational field > at time t = 140M (n = 30 000).', from A toy model for testing finite element methods to simulate extreme-mass-ratio binary systems Carlos F Sopuerta, Pengtao Sun Pablo Laguna and Jinchao Xu 2006 Class. Quantum Grav. 23 251-285