Overview & Expression of Interest
Welcome to Texas Down Under 2027
13–17 December 2027 | Melbourne, Australia
The 34th Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics will bring the international astrophysics and physics community to Melbourne, Australia, from 13–17 December 2027.
Hosted at Pullman Melbourne Albert Park, the Symposium will bring together researchers from around the world to explore the latest developments in relativistic astrophysics, cosmology, gravitation and fundamental physics.
The program will feature plenary presentations, parallel scientific sessions, contributed talks, poster presentations and opportunities for discussion, networking and collaboration.
Expression of Interest
Planning for Texas Down Under 2027 is now underway and prospective delegates are invited to express their interest in attending.
Your Expression of Interest will help the organising committee estimate attendance, understand scientific interests and plan appropriate capacities for parallel sessions. It will also allow us to keep you informed as registration, abstract submissions, accommodation and program information become available.
Submitting an Expression of Interest is not a registration and does not commit you to attending.
EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST
Conference Venue
The Pullman Melbourne Albert Park Hotel
The Pullman Melbourne Albert Park Hotel has more than 2,600m2 of flexible function spaces, 32 adaptable venues, and room for up to 1,600 delegates. The Pullman Melbourne Albert Park Conference & Events Centre is Melbourne’s meeting hub.
Spaces vary from meeting rooms filled with natural light and flexible boardrooms to our Grand Ballroom. Setting the standard for Melbourne conferences and events, the Grand Ballroom impresses with over a thousand pillarless square metres of conference and event space. Exceptional features include 6.2m high floor to ceiling views over Albert Park Lake, operable walls for flexible room configuration and state-of-the-art lighting, projection and audio.
The hotel combines 378 Mercure & Pullman rooms for an overnight stay, as well as up to 500 on-site parking spaces. The added comfort and convenience of an in-house workout ready Fit Lounge, and Restaurant and Bar ensure delegate satisfaction whether they’re from across the ocean or closer to home Melburnians.
The city fringe location gives the convenience of easy CBD access along with peaceful park views. Guests can explore the laidback laneways in the city centre, recharge in cosmopolitan St Kilda, and network in Southbank all within a 10-minute drive.
Explore the function spaces here: www.pullmanalbertpark.com.au/meetings
About the Symposium
A global meeting in relativistic astrophysics
The Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics has brought together researchers working at the forefront of astrophysics, cosmology, gravitation and fundamental physics since its first meeting in Dallas, Texas, in 1963.
Over more than six decades, the Symposium has developed into an international forum for exploring major discoveries and some of the most fundamental questions about our Universe.
The scientific scope has evolved alongside the field, encompassing areas including gravitational waves, black holes, neutron stars, cosmology, dark matter, high-energy astrophysics, particle astrophysics and tests of gravity.
The Symposium brings together established research leaders, early career researchers and students, providing opportunities to share new results, explore emerging ideas and build collaborations across disciplines and countries.
Texas Down Under 2027
The 34th Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics will continue this tradition in Melbourne, Australia, in December 2027.
Further information about the history of the Texas Symposium and previous meetings will be added as the website develops.
Travel and Melbourne
Getting to Melbourne
Melbourne is well-connected to major cities around the world, making it an accessible destination for international and domestic travellers alike. The main airport serving the city is Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), located approximately 30 minutes from the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park hotel.
There are numerous direct flights to Melbourne from various international cities, including Los Angeles, London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Auckland. Domestically, flights connect Melbourne to Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and other major Australian cities.
For more detailed information about flights and travel options, please visit the Melbourne Airport website.
Getting to Pullman Melbourne Albert Park
Once you arrive at Melbourne Airport, there are several transport options to reach the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park hotel:
- Taxi/Rideshare: A taxi or rideshare service (Uber, DiDi, etc.) will take approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic. The estimated fare is around AUD $60 – $80 ($39 – $53 USD, €36 – €48 Euro).
- Airport Shuttle: SkyBus offers an affordable transfer from Melbourne Airport to the city. You can then take a taxi or tram to the hotel. More information is available on the SkyBus website.
- Public Transport: Melbourne’s extensive public transport network includes trains, trams, and buses. Take a train or bus to the city centre and connect to Tram Route 96 or 16, which stops near Albert Park.
For more details on Melbourne’s public transport, visit the Public Transport Victoria website.
Visa information
International attendees, please note that a visa may be required to enter Australia. We recommend that you start the process of obtaining a visa well in advance.
What visa do I need to enter Australia as an international attendee?
We suggest that you visit the Australian Immigration and Home Affairs website to find more info on which visas to apply for.
Who will organise and pay for my visa?
It is the responsibility of the attendees to apply for the appropriate visa and pay the associated costs. We are not involved in the visa granting process.
Do I need a letter of invitation?
If your visa application requires a letter of invitation from the event organiser, please contact ozgrav@swin.edu.au with the following information (more information may be required depending on your circumstances):
- Full name as stated on your passport
- Professional title/job title
- Institution/Organisation name
- Address of your Institution/Organisation
Things to Do in Melbourne
Melbourne is known for its vibrant culture, excellent dining, and world-class attractions. Here are some highlights to consider during your stay:
- Explore Melbourne’s Laneways and Street Art: Wander through the city’s famous laneways to discover hidden cafes, boutiques, and vibrant street art.
- Royal Botanic Gardens: Relax in the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens, just a short distance from the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park hotel.
- National Gallery of Victoria (NGV): Visit the NGV, Australia’s oldest and most renowned public art museum, showcasing both local and international art collections.
- St Kilda Beach: Take a stroll along the picturesque St Kilda Beach, a popular spot for both tourists and locals. You can enjoy a swim, walk along the pier, or watch the famous St Kilda penguins.
- Yarra Valley Wildlife & Wine Day Tour with Healesville Sanctuary: Discover Australia’s wildlife and wines on a full-day tour to Healesville Sanctuary and the Yarra Valley. Depart Melbourne and head to Healesville Sanctuary where you get close views of native animals such as kangaroos, koalas, and emus. Continue the scenic drive to Yarra Valley for lunch, wine, and cheese tasting. Book here.
- Melbourne Zoo: Get up close with Australian wildlife, from kangaroos to koalas, as well as exotic animals from around the world. Learn more here.
- Day Trips to Phillip Island: Take a trip to Phillip Island to experience the famous Penguin Parade, where you can watch hundreds of little penguins return to shore at sunset. The island also offers encounters with koalas and kangaroos, making it a perfect wildlife adventure. Book trip here.
- Great Ocean Road: Embark on the famous Great Ocean Road for breathtaking coastal views and the iconic Twelve Apostles. Book a Great Ocean Road tour, plus koalas, forest walk, and morning tea here.
Melbourne offers something for everyone, whether you’re interested in history, art, nature, or food. To learn more, visit Visit Melbourne.
To book different tours, visit Viator.
Getting Around Melbourne
Public Transport
Melbourne’s public transport system offers a convenient way to navigate the city and its surrounding suburbs, with trams, trains, and buses all accessible via a credit card.
- Trams: Melbourne’s iconic trams run frequently, with the central business district (CBD) offering a Free Tram Zone that covers many popular city destinations.
- Trains: Trains connect the CBD with the suburbs and regional areas. The nearest train station to Pullman Melbourne Albert Park is Prahran Station.
- Buses: Buses are available throughout Melbourne, providing access to areas not served by trains or trams.
Travel Tips
- Make sure to tap on with your myki card when boarding and tap off as you exit for correct fare calculation.
- For planning your journey, you can use the free PTV app or refer to the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) website for live schedule updates and route information.
For more information on fares, routes, and travel tips, visit the Public Transport Victoria website.
Hotel
Stay at the conference venue
Delegate accommodation will be available at Pullman Melbourne Albert Park, allowing participants to stay in the same location as the main Symposium program.
The hotel complex offers 378 guest rooms across both the Pullman and Mercure brands, ensuring comfort for all delegates. In addition to this, there are 500 on-site parking spaces available for those driving to the event.
Guests can also enjoy the in-house facilities, including the Fit Lounge for workout needs and the Restaurant & Bar, providing a range of dining options to satisfy both international visitors and locals alike. Whether you’re traveling from across the globe or just around Melbourne, the Pullman and Mercure offer a relaxing and convenient stay during the conference.
Alternative accommodation
Delegates are also welcome to arrange their own accommodation. Options within walking distance:
Scientific Program
Planning the Texas Down Under 2027 scientific program
The scientific program for the 34th Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics is currently under development.
Texas Down Under 2027 will include plenary presentations alongside parallel scientific sessions, contributed talks, poster presentations and opportunities for discussion and collaboration.
Expressions of Interest are currently being used to help identify areas of strongest scientific interest and inform the structure and capacity of parallel sessions.
Indicative scientific themes
The plenary talks will cover the very broad range of topics traditionally explored in the Texas Symposium. However, we are considering more focused parallel sessions than in some of the recent Texas Symposia. Current options include:
- Binaries and dynamics in relativistic astrophysics [BINDYN]
- Compact objects and accretion physics [COACC]
- Dark energy [DE]
- Energetic transients, including supernovae [ENTRANS]
- Gravitational wave astrophysics [GWA]
These themes are indicative only and do not represent the final Texas Down Under 2027 scientific program; your expressions of interest will help the SOC determine the final program.
Program announcements
Confirmed scientific themes and mini-symposia, conveners, plenary speakers, abstract submission information and the detailed conference timetable will be published here as planning progresses.
Organisers
The 34th Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics is being hosted in Melbourne by the Australian astrophysics and gravitational-wave research community.
Local Organising Committee
The Local Organising Committee will oversee the delivery of the Symposium in Melbourne, including venue planning, delegate experience, logistics and local arrangements.
- Professor Ilya Mandel, Monash University
- Professor Matthew Bailes, Swinburne University of Technology
- Dr Yeshe Fenner, Swinburne University of Technology
- Diana Haikal, Swinburne University of Technology
- Ari Hernandez, Swinburne University of Technology
Scientific Organising Committee
The Scientific Organising Committee will guide the scientific program, plenary presentations and parallel mini-symposia for Texas Down Under 2027.
- Matthew Bailes (Swinburne, co-chair)
- Tamara Davis (Queensland)
- Yuri Levin (Columbia)
- Ilya Mandel (Monash, chair)
- Brian Metzger (Columbia)
- Takashi Moriya (NAO, Japan)
- Feryal Ozel (Georgia Tech)
- Eliot Quataert (Princeton)
- Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (Santa Cruz)
- Elena Rossi (Leiden)
- Anna Watts (Amsterdam)
- Amanda Weltman (Cape Town)
Host organisations
The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav)
Contact
For enquiries about the 34th Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics, please contact the organising team at ozgrav@swin.edu.au
Code of Conduct
We ask attendees to read and adhere to the the OzGrav Events code of conduct policy that outlines behaviour that will not be tolerated. In particular:
- Behave professionally. Harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary comments or jokes are not appropriate. Harassment includes sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, sexual attention or innuendo, deliberate intimidation, stalking, and photography or recording of an individual without consent. It also includes offensive comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race or religion.
- All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds.
- Participants asked to stop any inappropriate behaviour are expected to comply immediately. Attendees violating these rules may be asked to leave the event at the sole discretion of the organisers without a refund of any charge.
- You are welcome to engage with this event and your colleagues through social media, provided that your communications are respectful, appropriate for a professional audience, and adhere to the Code of Conduct. If you have questions or criticisms about a colleague’s research or presentation, we strongly encourage you to communicate that directly to your colleague rather than via social media. We also encourage you to only post things on social media about other people, which you would be comfortable saying to them in person.