ACCESSING OUR EVENTS

Better Together® 2025

• FRIDAY 31 October - Saturday 1 November 2025

• ADELAIDE CONVENTION CENTRE, NORTH TERRACE, ADELAIDE

WELCOME TO COUNTRY OPENING CEREMONY

📍Meeting point: Location

🕗 Start time: TBC

If you are able, we invite you to attend the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony prior to the Opening Plenary.

The event details for the Welcome to Country are to be confirmed, below are the current expected details. Please check back to this page closer to the event as these may have changed.

This event will commence prior to 8.15am and take place at this location which is opposite the Adelaide Convention Centre on the other side of the River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri, off War Memorial Drive, in a grassy area known as Pinky Flat. It is opposite Tennis SA on War Memorial Drive.

From War Memorial Drive, there is a gentle slope downwards towards the river. It is a gentle climb to walk to the River Torrens Footbridge.

Google Route Map 🚶🏽‍♀️👩🏽‍🦽

After the Smoking Ceremony, we will walk together to the Adelaide Convention Centre Atrium Entrance via the footbridge as shown in the route map. The distance is approximately 600 metres, is mostly flat, and it can take between 8-20 minutes to travel on foot or wheelchair.

At the end of the footbridge turn right. Take the ramp or set of stairs to reach the Adelaide Riverbank Promenade where Home Ground restaurant/café is located on the left. Walk past Home Ground to reach a lift (on the left) and a set of stairs which will take you up to the Atrium Entrance.

Some attendees may take up to 20 minutes to reach the Main Hall for the Opening Plenary. We will allow time for this and volunteers will help with directions.

The Opening Plenary will commence at 9.10am in the Main Hall.

CHECK-IN

We will be checking in attendees at the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony event. Volunteers will be moving through the crowd with portable check-in devices. If you have your QR code ready, a volunteer will be able to check you in and give you your lanyard before or after the ceremony, or as the walk proceeds. Anyone finishing the walk without a lanyard will be able to move to the check-in area to complete the process.

Trams

The closest tram stop is located on North Terrace, in front of the Adelaide Railway Station, approximately 500 metres from the Centre. View on Google maps.

Taxis

There are multiple taxi companies operating in the Adelaide metropolitan area which can be booked for pick up or drop off on North Terrace, in front of Riverside Centre. Uber is also in operation within Adelaide.

Buses

The closest free city connector bus stop for buses 99A & 99C is stop Y2 and B1 on King William St. Stop 1 on Montefiore Road is the closest stop for buses 98A & 98C.

• Adelaide tram map and timetables.

• Access Taxis

• Adelaide Metro accessibility information

• Adelaide city public transport map

The Adelaide Convention Centre operates the Riverbank and North Terrace car parks, which are located directly underneath the Centre. Cheaper parking is available at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre Park’n’Ride facility which has more than 1400 car parks available and the Tram can be caught from the car park to the Centre. More information here.

• City of Adelaide Accessible Parking

• Car parking rates

• Blue Bays app

We recommend people with a disability and/or have an accessible parking permit use the North Terrace car park and the car park at the easternmost end. The lifts will take you to the plaza outside the East Entrance which is the entrance for the conference.

Riverbank car park

The Riverbank car park is accessed via Festival Drive whilst the North Terrace car park is accessed from North Terrace, immediately below Halls I, J & K. Accessible car parking spaces are located on each level. Both car parks are fitted with video surveillance camera systems, with regular security patrols. The Riverbank car park has a height restriction of 1.96m on Level One and 2m on Level Two.

The most direct lift access to the Centre’s Main entrance is on the northernmost side of the carpark or the side closest to the river.

North Terrace car park

The North Terrace car park has a height restriction of 2m. To reduce distance of travel and cope with large volumes of traffic for disabled passengers unloading can be made upon request. Accessible car parking spaces are located on each level.

The most direct lift access to the Main entrance is on the easternmost side of the carpark.

The Better Together® 2025 conference is spread across three floors with lift access to all levels. There will be charging points for mobility devices. There will be casual seating available throughout the Centre, power docks and charging stations as well as a quiet room, parenting room and counselling room. The Centre is aerosol free. Please refrain from using chemical aerosol sprays (eg. perfumes or deodorants) in the Centre.

🗺️ Download the venue map here.

To ensure a smooth flow of movement in the venue and to minimise noise please avoid congregating at exits and entrance ways.

CASHLESS VENUE 💳

Please note that the Adelaide Convention Centre is a cashless venue and this applies to all catering.

There is one lift located in the East building and one lift located in the West building. In addition, there are external lifts that provide access to the venue from both North Terrace and the Riverbank Promenade.

The lifts should only be used by visitors who are unable to use the stairs and escalators. Please do not use the lifts if you are able to use the stairs or the escalator. We appreciate your cooperation.

🗺️ Download the venue map here.

Please arrive early on the first day to allow ample time to find the venue, register yourself and settle in.

The conference sessions will be held on the ground level and lower level of the Adelaide Convention Centre. Wheelchair users and attendees unable to use the stairs can move between levels via two lifts. Please follow directions from our volunteers to find the nearest lift.

If you are able to use the stairs or escalators, please avoid using the lifts. Please refrain from using chemical aerosol sprays (eg. perfumes or deodorants) in the Centre.

The Centre temperature will be centrally controlled and is set at 22.5C. There is access to an outdoor plaza in front of the Main Entrance, the Riverside Promenade and Torrens Riverbank.

🗺️ Download the venue map here.

Access signs will be clearly visible and direct persons to gender neutral and accessible toilets located throughout the Centre. Please refrain from using chemical aerosol sprays (eg. perfumes or deodorants) in the Centre, including in bathrooms.

HAND SANITISER AND HAND WASH 🧴

People with sensitivities are recommended to bring their own hand sanitiser and hand wash.

Our volunteers will be your guides during the conference. They will be visible in purple t-shirts and volunteer badges. Please ask them for assistance and any support you may need. If you cannot find a volunteer please ask for help at the service desk on the Ground Floor.

Make sure you visit the exhibitor stalls in Foyer E, Ground Level. There will be up to 15 organisations and community groups on display. Come and say Hi!

You can purchase food at the food cart situated in Foyer E, Ground Level, opposite the exhibition stalls.

Home Ground cafe and restaurant is conveniently located on the Adelaide Riverbank Promenade immediately underneath the East Entrance. Access the promenade via the lift or the stairs.

Cashless payments only.

WATER FOUNTAINS

There will be two water fountains available for attendees of the conference. We encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle and use the fountains to refill it throughout the conference.

Please note that breaks between sessions will range from 10-15 minutes but feel free to take a break at any time. There will be no scheduled break for lunch. You are encouraged to take breaks at the right time for you. You are welcome to eat or drink during sessions, please just ensure that you remove your rubbish, as we work together to keep the space enjoyable for everyone over the two days. Food can be purchased from Foyer E on the Ground Level.

A room on the 3rd level will be designated as a quiet space. You can access this room anytime during the conference if you need time and space to chill out away from the crowd.

🗺️ Download the venue map here.

THINGS TO NOTE

There will be quiet places to sit, power stations to recharge devices and a counselor to talk to if needed. Please restrict conversation and maintain low noise levels while using the quiet room.

😎 Please bring sunglasses to the conference if you are sensitive to light, we cannot guarantee there will be low lit spaces.

🎧 Please bring headphones to the conference if you are sensitive to noise, there will be PA announcements, loud conversations and large groups of people in confined spaces.

🧴The function spaces for the conference do not supply hypoallergenic soaps in bathrooms, please bring your own if required. Hand sanitiser will be provided however we do not know the brand, so please bring your own if required.

Attendees are welcome to wear a mask, however it is not mandatory. 😷

Please see a volunteer for directions on how to locate and access the quiet room.

The best place to meet people, have a chat and make new connections will be in Foyer E, Ground Level. There will be shared tables for eating and socialising in this area - it’s a good opportunity to meet your future friends, colleagues and allies.

Please avoid congregating at entrances and exits.

While the conference will be conducted in an inclusive, supportive and culturally safe space for LGBTIQA+ people, some of the content may be challenging, uncomfortable, or confronting at times. As a participant, you are expected to support the wellbeing of yourself and others.

If any of the content during the conference brings up issues for you and you need support, counsellors will be available on site. Please see staff or volunteers to arrange an appointment in person or by phone: 0423 113 496 (during conference hours only). The counselling room will be located on Level 3. You can also find the counselling number on the back of your lanyard once you enter the conference.

At the conclusion of the conference you can get support by contacting:

• QLife 1800 184 527

• Lifeline 13 11 14

If you hold a government issued Companion Card you will be eligible for a free ticket for your companion to assist you in attending the event.

If you want us to have your support worker contact details during the conference, please email them to disability@equality.org.au.

For more information on the Companion Card, please visit www.companioncard.gov.au.

The Equality Project® is not an NDIS provider. While we are committed to promoting equity and inclusion for all individuals, we do not offer support and services to people with disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We encourage you to contact the NDIS directly for more information on available providers and services.

Auslan interpreting will be provided for all sessions in Main Hall D. If you require additional Auslan interpreting we encourage you to include this activity in your NDIS plan ahead of time. You can also book an interpreter for free if you are over 65. Find out more by visiting: auslanconnections.com.au/deaf-seniors-interpreting.

Digital and braille signage is located throughout the venue to provide direction to users of the venue.

A hearing augmentation system (hearing loop) will be available. Headsets are available to access the hearing loop. Please contact a volunteer if you will need one.

An audible PA system is installed throughout the Centre and is used in the event of an emergency.

Our aim in hosting events is to build community. To that end, our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels welcome to participate, contribute, ask questions, and engage in conversation. We value diversity and we invite all those who participate in this event to help us create “safe and brave”, positive experiences for everyone. Please read our event terms and conditions.

Please report any concerns to our volunteers during the conference.

For Better Together® 2025, we are using a web-based program via our website.

📄 If you require a paper copy or large print of the schedule to support your attendance of Better Together, please contact disability@equality.org.au.

As we get closer to the event, any accomodation deals will be made available via our website.

👩🏽‍🦽 Disability information: disability@theequalityproject.org.au

📧 General inquiries: Contact us via email.

📞 Ph: 0423 113 496 during conference hours, 31 October - 1 November 2025.

Other questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page here.