Travel to the Festival
If you are planning to travel to Canberra to attend the festival, please find some useful information to help plan your trip.
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Most of this travel advice is drawn from the definite guide to visiting Canberra.
VISIT CANBERRA
www.visitcanberra.com.au
Getting to Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia, situated inland between the cities of Sydney and Melbourne.
You can fly, drive, catch a bus, jump on a train to Canberra.​
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You can find the Visitor Information Centre at Regatta Point.
Regatta Point, Ngunnawal Country, Barrine Drive, Parkes ACT 2600
Phone: 1300 554 114 (if calling from overseas use +61 2 6205 0044)
Open 9am to 5pm weekdays
Open 9am to 4pm weekends and public holidays
Closed Christmas Day
Quiet hour everyday from 9am to 10am
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Getting AROUND CANBERRA
Whether you prefer public transport, driving, cycling, or walking, it’s easy to get around Canberra. You’ll love the range of experiences on offer and they’re all closer than you think.
Buses
Light rail
Airport transfers
Red Explorer Loop Bus
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Transport Canberra operates the public bus and light rail network, a convenient and cheap way for visitors to get around the capital. Use the journey planner to find out just how easy it is to get around Canberra.
Transport Canberra's fleet includes easy access (i.e. no step) buses for people with reduced mobility, and these are used on the high frequency routes known as Rapid services. Select Rapid services also have specially designed carry racks making it convenient to commute or cover longer distances when cycling by taking your bike on a bus. You can also take your bike on the light rail.
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Light rail services operate between Gungahlin and the city up to every 5 to 15 minutes from 6am to 11pm daily, with late-night services on Friday and Saturday evenings until 12:30am.
The light rail provides easy access to the foodie and shopping precinct Braddon, as well as Asian eat streets in Dickson. Swap from light rail to bus at key hubs in Gungahlin, Dickson and the city.
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Transport Canberra provides daily services to and from Canberra Airport. Rapid Bus 3 runs on a half-hourly schedule on weekdays and on the hour on weekends. The route takes passengers between the Canberra Airport terminal through to the city interchange, Belconnen interchange, Cohen St interchange to Spence Terminus.
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Hop on and off at key attractions with the Red Explorer Loop Bus. The bus departs from Canberra Museum and Gallery at regular times from Monday through to Saturday. There's no need to make a booking, turn up 10 minutes before a scheduled departure time and buy your ticket on the bus.
ACCOMMODATION
Canberra has accomodation available for all sorts of budgets.
Between the 2 festival venues all along the Light Rail Network, there is a corridor of accommodation options.
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You may find good deals on popular accomodation booking sites. You may also find better deals direct with the hotel or motel.
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Below are a some recommendations nearby to our screening venues.
Of course, we recommend checking recent reviews and feedback of an accomodation site yourself before booking.​​​​​
Closer to AIE Atrium Cinema
Light Rail Stop: Phillip Avenue
Closer to Dendy Cinemas
Light Rail Stop: Alinga Street
Red Cedars Motel - 3 Star Motel
11 Aspinall St, Watson ACT 2602
Has kindly supported AIE Film School student productions as filming locations in the past.
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Quality Hotel Dickson - 4 Star Hotel
Corner Cape &, 2 Badham St, Dickson ACT 2602•
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Pavilion on Northbourne Hotel - 4 Star Hotel
242 Northbourne Ave, Dickson ACT 2602
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Canberra Accommodation Centre - Group Accomodation/Hostel/Long Term
210 Northbourne Ave, Braddon ACT 2612•(02) 6140 3226
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Canberra Rex Hotel - 4 Star Hotel
​150 Northbourne Ave, Braddon ACT 2612
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Midnight Hotel - 5 Star Hotel
1 Elouera St, Braddon ACT 2612
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Avenue Hotel Canberra - 5 Star Hotel
80 Northbourne Ave, Braddon ACT 2602
​The Village Canberra - 2 Star Hotel - Backpackers, Shared Accomodation
7 Akuna St, Canberra ACT 2601
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SCREENING LOCATIONS
There are 2 main venues for the festival:
1) Dendy Cinemas Canberra
2) AIE Atrium Cinema, Watson.
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Dendy Cinemas is situated in the Canberra Centre in the heart of Canberra's City Centre known as Civic.
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There is paid parking available at the Canberra Centre, and the location is walking distance to the Bus and Light Rail hubs.
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AIE Atrium Cinema is located in E Block of the Canberra Technology Park. AIE or the Academy of Interactive Entertainment is located on the site of the old Watson High School, now known as Canberra Technology Park.
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Parking is free.
When arriving at the Car Park, you can access the screening venue by entering Block D, walking through the interior ground floor into Block B Hall. Look out for our Yeh! Nah! mascots to guide the way or say hello to one of the festival volunteers!​​
To travel between the venues without a car, Canberra's Light Rail is the most easiest and quickest way.​​​
DENDY CINEMAS CANBERRA
Light Rail Stop: Alinga Street
Walk along Bunda Street approximately 300m to Canberra Centre.
Canberra Centre, North Quarter,
Level 2/148 Bunda St, Canberra
ACT 2600
Australia
AIE ATRIUM CINEMA, WATSON
AIE B-BLOCK HALL/SOUL CARTEL CAFE, WATSON
Light Rail Stop: Phillip Avenue
Cross Federal Highway to Phillip Avenue and walk approximately 700m to Academy of Interactive Entertainment,
Academy of Interactive Entertainment
Block E, Canberra Technology Park
49 Phillip Ave, Watson
ACT 2602
Australia