http://www.urbanwalkabout.com/newcastle/
buses: http://www.newcastlebuses.info/
You can take any (blue and white Newcastle) bus for free within the central city area (basically from Newcastle East to the end of Hunter St) between the hours of 7:30am-6pm.
Bus 100 and 226 go to the university (Maths Bus Stop) and run at 30 min frequency each. 1 hour duration ticket costs $3.60 cash. You can buy a 10-ticket pass from various places (ask a local for details).
To get to Darby St take any bus along Hunter St from Newcastle Station (only a few stops, could also walk) and walk from the corner of Hunter and Darby. Buses 310,320 go up Darby St but only runs once and hour.
to get to Beaumont St (good restaurant and pub precinct) take any bus that goes along Tudor St (ask the driver for Beaumont St) or take the 100 bus and ask for Beaumont St
taxis:
Phone 133 300. generally you cannot hail them from the street usually, you must call. There are taxi-ranks on Beaumont St (in front of the Kent Hotel) and Darby. http://www.newcastletaxis.com.au
dinner:
there are a few main precincts which have lots of restaurants
locals can suggest other spots, but these 4 are the main recommendations.
weird -- golf and pizza
cafes -- try urbanspoon for reviews. Near the conference venue: Sprocket, Good Brother, Estabar are recommended. Other cool cafes in newcastle are Suspension and Rolador (Beaumont St, close to Hamilton Station -- not close to the conference venue). Newcastle has a burgeoning cafe culture -- some really excellent places, but a random place will be terrible (eg on campus, in the suburbs, etc.).
to get to the University campus on Friday:
bus 100 or 226 (about a 40 minute trip) ask for "Maths Bus stop" (second stop once the bus enters campus)
train -- take the Hunter line (single-deck diesel trains) 5 stops to Warabrook station, then walk about 10-15 minutes across campus.
what to pack:
conference venues: Monday-Thursday we are at the Fort Scratchley conference centre. Fort Scratchleyhttp://www.fortscratchley.com.au/ is an historic site (with tours of the underground tunnels available) built in the 1880s to defend against feared Russian attack. It is a short walk from the Novotel – see map online. It is on top of a hill overlooking the ocean and harbour. The talks will be in the more modern “multipurpose centre” just in front of the cannons (they are “guns” rather than “cannons” actually – you will learn this on the guided tour). Some GAGTA8 signs will be posted at the entrance.
Friday we move to the beautiful University of Newcastle campus, which is a bus (or train and walk) from your accommodation. The bus takes about 30-40 mins: from Hunter St -- take the 100 or 226. Get out at “Maths Bus Stop” (yes, its called that). Alternatively the train to Warabrook (towards Maitland, small single-story diesel train) is quick but then you need to walk across campus, which is nice but will take 20 mins or so. You can buy a bus ticket from the driver, and for the train you need to buy it from the machine on the station. We would recommend the bus. We start a little later on Friday to allow time for travel.
wednesday activities:
car rental:
Aside from the big-name car rental places (Budget, Hertz, Avis, Europcar) a local company we recommend is http://newcastlerental.com.au/, they have limited hours (7-11 or noon on weekends) and you must drop off when they are open, but their price (book online) includes all insurance, and they have reliable cars. Take a (free) bus along Hunter St to the last place it is free.
Budget is on Tudor St in Hamilton (near Beaumont St), Europcar is near Wickham (a little out of the way – bus or walk), Hertz and Avis are on Maitland Rd in Mayfield, 100 bus to get to them.
You won’t need a car for the conference, just to visit the wine region (Hunter Valley) or Port Stephens (a good weekend place to visit).
sim card:
It should be possible to by a local sim fairly cheaply –Telstra (national/former govt. company), Optus, Vodafone, Virgin etc. ALDI supermarket has them cheaply too. There are various stores at Marketown (shopping centre end of Hunter St Newcastle). Sydney airport has Optus and Vodafone stores at international arrivals – Telstra has the best coverage, but any of these should give good service (and Telstra will be the most expensive).