HAB 2000

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Conference Social Programme:

Professor F.J.R."Max"Taylor will organize a meeting of the International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae (ISSHAB). Only paid-up members of the Society will be eligible to vote, although everybody will be welcome to attend the session. The membership fee (equivalent of US $20 ) can be paid during the conference.

A full days mid-conference break is scheduled for Wednesday 9 February also allowing for special workshops and meetings, if so required. A Welcoming Reception will be held at the Wrest Point Convention Centre on Sunday evening, 6 February, and an "Ice Breaker" is scheduled for Tuesday evening, 8 February, at "Antarctic Adventure" (Salamanca Square, in the middle of a popular restaurant and pub area). The HAB2000 conference banquet ("the Taste of Tasmania") will take place at the Wrest Point Convention Centre on Friday evening 11 February.

The scene is upper waters of the sea, the story about some of its most important inhabitants, the microalgae.

Three delightful diatoms, Doreen, Diane and Dorothy, pass their time by
peacefully photosynthesising and exchanging local gossip - while
watching out for any hungry fish larvae that might be swimming past.

Into their familiar waters one day comes Gym Nodinium, a dashing
dinoflagellate of few words but much action. His appearance could have dire
consequences....

ABOUT DOUBLE HELIX DRAMA ...
Double Helix Drama is a science drama group for students (aged 10 - 18) who
turn science into drama through researching, writing and performing their
own science theatre productions. Based in Hobart, students have also
performed at the Australian Science Festival and at the First APEC Youth Science Festival in Korea. Double Helix Drama is part of CSIRO's Double
Helix Science Club.

The beauty of the Huon Valley is something to see. Depart Hobart to travel into the Huon Valley were you will visit Doran's Jam Factory, enjoy morning tea and watch the processes of producing quality jam and premium juices. For quality local wines and Tasmania's timber treasures, the tour will also visit the Huon Valley Apple & Heritage Museum, Panorama Vineyard and the Forest and Heritage Centre. The journey of diversity and discovery will also cruise on the MV Southern Contessa - an Atlantic Salmon fish-farm - before heading back to Hobart. Includes lunch and morning tea. Limit: 100 people. Cost $90 per person.Wednesday Full Day Tour 9.00 am - 5.30 pm.

The Pacific oyster was introduced from Japan into Tasmania in the late 1940s where it is now farmed commercially. This tour includes an inspection of an oyster nursery at Dunalley, which uses the cultchless or single seed method with oyster larvae being set on minute pieces of shell. After a nursery phase when the oysters are about 15-30 mm they are transferred to the growout farms. Growout facilities at Barilla Bay using trays or bags on racks will be demonstrated, and a tasting of the final product will be a highlight of this excursion. Limit 40 people. Cost approximately $50 per person. Wednesday Morning Tour 9.00 am - 12.30 pm.

The drive from Hobart is approximately 1 h 30 min. This is a highly scenic National Park area which includes spectacular water falls, the tallest eucalypt trees in the Southern Hemisphere (110m) and treefern gullies. Rainforest species such as myrtle, sassafras and celery top pine abound. An experienced botanical guide will be available for this walk. Good walking shoes are essential. Limit 30-40 people. Cost $50 per person. Wednesday Full Day Tour 9.00 am - 5.30 pm.

A road up Mount Wellington passes through open forests on the foothills, then through wet eucalypt forests intersected by fern gullies, later through montane shrubberies and moors to reach subalpine vegetation on the summit plateau. The assemblage of plants seen on this short journey provides a picture of the vegetation of Tasmania as a whole. An experienced botanical guide will be available for this walk. Good walking shoes are essential. Limit 20-30 people. Costs $20 per person. Wednesday Morning Tour 9.00 am - 12.30 pm.

On this tour you will "Meet the Natives" - with wombats, wallabies, koalas and the Tasmanian Devil at Bonorong Wildlife Park. Have the wildlife eating out of your hand. There will be many opportunities to feed the wildlife as you wander freely through the park and with the keeper you will learn of the habits and habitats of the wildlife before travelling to the historic village of Richmond. Explore the charm and history the village has to offer. Included is an inspection of the old goal, Australia's oldest bridge and enjoy a sample of some special whisky and liqueurs at the Lark Distillery. Free time is also allocated to visit the many art craft and antique galleries. Includes morning tea. Limit 30-40 people. Cost $35 per person. Wednesday Morning Tour 9.00 am - 12.30 pm.

The fascination of the convict era of Tasmania comes to life with the opportunity to discover the scenic Tasman Peninsula, Eaglehawk Neck and Port Arthur. View the Tasman Arch, Devil's Kitchen and the spectacular views from Pirates Bay Lookout. Enjoy a guided tour of Port Arthur "Australia's most significant historic site" and a harbour cruise with full commentary. In the period 1830 to 1877, some 12,500 convicts were based in what Governor George Arthur described as a natural penitentiary, surrounded by rugged coastlines and isolated by a narrow land strip at Eaglehawk Neck. Today, Tasmania’s most famous penal establishment rests in peace amidst English oaks and expansive green lawns that roll down to the water’s edged. If you are historically inclined, want to try on a ball and chain, or perhaps trace your ancestors, this visit to Port Arthur is highly recommended. Many ghosts are said to exist here!. Continue the day with a unique steam train ride at the Bush Mill Steam Railway and Settlement. Includes boxed lunch. Limit 50 people. Cost $65 per person. Wednesday Full Day Tour 9.00 am - 5.30 pm.

A number of other entertainments can be pursued individually on a daily basis, also by accompanying persons, without prior arrangement.

The second oldest botanical garden in Australia houses over 6000 native and exotic species, among which the conifer collection is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. A Japanese garden features a snow-capped Mount Fuji. The gardens are open daily from 8am to 4.45 pm. Metro buses run from the front of the General Post Office. No entrance fees.

Just across from Constitution Dock near Hobart Harbour, which is the finish line for the popular Sydney-Hobart yaught race. Check the collection of colonial art, and the exhibits on Tasmanian fauna, geology, aboriginal displays and convict past. Free entrance to most displays. Open daily 9am-5pm.

A number of 1- 1 ¹/₂ h cruises (6 per day) are available from Brooke Street Pier in Hobart Harbour. These fully licenced vessels pass Battery Point, the Casino, Sandy Bay beaches as well as travel upriver under the Tasman Bridge (temporarily destroyed by a drunken skipper in 1976) towards Lindisfarne. We will attempt to schedule a Gymnodinium catenatum bloom for the conference period! Costs range from approx. $10.

Provided there is sufficient interest a scuba diving trip to the Tasman Peninsula at Eagle Hawk Neck will be offered. The area has spectacular underwater scenery including sea caves, ship wrecks, giant kelp forests, seal colonies, with sea dragons, sea horses, boxfish, schools of jack mackerel and trevally common. Costs $100. Maximum 14 persons. Either Wednesday 9 February or Sunday 13 February. Whole day. Contact: Judi.Marshall @utas.edu.au.

Provided there is sufficient interest, a post-excursion to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in Townsville , and snorkeling / diving excursion to the Great Barrier Reef will be organised. Contact: Lyndon Lewellyn (e-mail l.llewellyn @aims. gov.au)