Travel

November 18-19, 2026

Sydney, Australia

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Venue

The Collider, Stone & Chalk Tech Central Sydney
Level 1/477 Pitt St
Haymarket, NSW (AUS) 2000

The venue is a short walk from Central Station, the city's main rail hub, which has a direct train line to the airport. You do not need a car. Most attendees can get around using trains, the metro, light rail and walking.

If you are flying in from interstate, you may be able to arrive on the morning of the event.

Quick Summary
Airport to Central Station 13 to 15 minutes by train
Central Station to venue 5 to 10 minute walk
Taxi or rideshare from the airport $35 to $70 AUD, depending on traffic
Public transport Tap on and off with a credit card, debit card or phone. Daily fare caps apply.
Hotels Hundreds within walking distance or a short train ride
November weather Mild, with days of 20 to 25°C

Getting to Sydney

Sydney Airport (SYD) handles both international and domestic flights.

By Train

  • Domestic Terminal to Central Station takes about 13 minutes
  • International Terminal to Central Station takes about 15 minutes
  • Trains run frequently throughout the day
  • An adult one way fare is about $22 AUD, which includes the airport station access fee

By Taxi

  • Taxi ranks are at both the Domestic and International terminals
  • The fare to Central, Surry Hills or the CBD is about $50 to $70 AUD, depending on traffic

By Rideshare (Uber, DiDi)

  • Both terminals have dedicated rideshare pickup areas
  • The fare to Central is about $35 to $55 AUD, depending on the time of day and demand

If you are travelling alone, the train is usually the fastest and most predictable option. For small groups or people with a lot of luggage, a taxi or rideshare costs about the same and is more convenient.

Getting to the Venue

By train or metro: Central Station is served by the Airport Line, suburban and intercity trains, and the Sydney Metro. The venue is a 5 to 10 minute walk from the station, depending on which exit you use.

By light rail: Light rail runs from Central to the CBD and Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Pyrmont, and Randwick and Kensington.

On foot: From Surry Hills, Haymarket, Chippendale or the southern CBD, the venue is a 5 to 15 minute walk.

Public Transport

Sydney's public transport network, called Opal, covers trains, the metro, buses, ferries and light rail. You can pay with a contactless credit or debit card or a mobile wallet. You don't need to buy a separate Opal card.

Typical adult fares:

  • Local train or light rail trips (excluding the airport): about $3 to $6 AUD, depending on distance
  • Daily cap, Monday to Thursday: about $19 AUD
  • Daily cap, Friday to Sunday and public holidays: about $10 AUD
  • Airport train: about $22 AUD, because of the station access fee, which is not included in the daily cap

Always tap on and tap off with the same card or device.

Where to Stay

You don't have to stay within walking distance. Trains, the metro and light rail all stop at Central, so you can stay much further out and still reach the venue in 15 minutes or so.

Walking distance (5 to 15 minutes): Central, Haymarket, Chippendale, Ultimo, Surry Hills and the southern edge of the CBD.

A short metro, train or light rail ride:

  • CBD core, Barangaroo and Martin Place: a few minutes away
  • North Sydney, Crows Nest and Chatswood: the metro line that opened in 2024 runs under the harbour to Central, about 10 minutes from North Sydney and 15 from Chatswood
  • Inner West (Newtown, Marrickville, Sydenham): a short train ride, or the metro from Sydenham in about 6 minutes
  • Pyrmont, Darling Harbour and Glebe: the L1 light rail runs direct to Central
  • Randwick and Kensington: the L2 and L3 light rail lines run direct to Central

For a list of hotels near the venue, with prices and walking times, see Where to Stay.

November Weather

  • Days are usually 20 to 25°C and evenings 14 to 17°C
  • Bring light layers
  • Showers and evening thunderstorms are possible
  • UV levels can be high, even on mild or overcast days. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat if you will be outdoors for a while.

Practical Notes

  • Central Sydney is well lit and busy in the evenings
  • Public transport runs frequently
  • Tap water is safe to drink
  • Pharmacies, supermarkets and convenience stores are within walking distance of the venue
  • Sydney is culturally diverse. English is the main language, and many other languages are widely spoken.
  • Australians tend to be informal. First names are normal in professional settings, and smart casual dress is typical.

Accessibility

The Tech Central precinct and Central Station have step-free access by lift and ramp. If you need specific accommodations, please email planners@apachecon.com before the event. This information is kept private and shared only with the people who need it to arrange your accommodations.

International Visitors

Visas

Most short-term business visitors need an ETA, an eVisitor or a Visitor visa. For example, United States passport holders usually need an ETA. United Kingdom and many EU passport holders can use an ETA or eVisitor. Chinese passport holders need a Visitor visa.

Apply well before you travel, because processing times vary. Check which visa you need with the Australian Government Visa Finder.

If you need an invitation letter for your visa application, email planners@apachecon.com.

Power

  • Australia uses Type I plugs at 230V, 50Hz
  • Most visitors will need a plug adapter
  • Most modern laptop and phone chargers support dual voltage, but check yours

Money

  • The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD)
  • Cards, contactless payment, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted almost everywhere, and you will rarely need cash
  • Displayed prices include GST (sales tax), so the price shown is the price you pay
  • Tipping is not expected. Leaving 5 to 10% for exceptional service is appreciated but optional, and choosing "No tip" on a payment terminal is normal.

Phones and Internet

  • SIM cards are sold at Sydney Airport
  • The major carriers support eSIM
  • Hotels and cafés commonly offer WiFi

Time Zone

Sydney is on Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) in November, which is UTC+11.

Health and Emergencies

  • Australia has high-quality healthcare. We recommend travel insurance for international visitors.
  • For police, fire or ambulance, call 000

Staying Longer?

If you are extending your stay, most of what Sydney has to offer is reachable by public transport or ferry, and much of it is walkable from the CBD.

Harbour and Icons

  • Circular Quay: The main harbour precinct, with historic buildings, ferry wharves and waterfront views. A good starting point for first-time visitors.
  • Sydney Opera House: Walk the forecourt and harbour promenade, or book a guided tour inside.
  • Sydney Harbour Bridge: Walking across the bridge is free and gives panoramic harbour views.
  • Manly Ferry: A scenic ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly Beach.

Beaches

  • Bondi Beach: Sydney's best-known beach, good for surfing, sunrise walks and beachside cafés.
  • Coogee Beach: A quieter beach with ocean pools, at one end of the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.
  • Manly Beach: Beach, promenade and casual dining, a ferry ride from the city.

Walks and Gardens

Food and Dining

Sydney's food scene is diverse and mostly casual, with a strong café culture and Asian, Middle Eastern and modern Australian influences. Popular restaurants may need a booking from Thursday to Saturday evenings.

  • Surry Hills: Walking distance from the venue. Cafés, modern Australian dining, wine bars and small chef-led restaurants.
  • Haymarket and Chinatown: Just north of Central Station. Chinese, Thai, Korean, Japanese and Malaysian restaurants, good for group dinners and late meals.
  • Newtown: About 5 to 10 minutes from Central by train. Diverse cuisine, plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, and small bars.
  • CBD, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour: Waterfront dining and larger restaurants that can take groups.

Museums and Galleries

Swimming

Shopping

LGBTQIA+ Sydney

Sydney has a long-established and visible LGBTQIA+ community:

  • Oxford Street, Darlinghurst: The historic LGBTQIA+ precinct, with bars and clubs
  • Surry Hills: Inclusive wine bars and restaurants close to Central
  • Newtown: A strong queer-friendly culture, with bars and live music

Cycling

  • Separated cycleways connect Central, Surry Hills, Redfern and the CBD
  • The harbour foreshore paths and Centennial Park are good rides
  • Bikes can be hired around the city
  • Helmets are required by law
  • See the City of Sydney cycling map

Day Trips