World-Class Directions for Commonwealth Games Visitors

location based services


In a world-first, new mobile technology will ensure the more than 90,000 visitors to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games can find their way to events and entertainment, the Minister for Information and Communication, Marsha Thomson, said today.

"This Victorian-designed technology Directions Plus gives immediate directions to visitors trying to locate a Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games event, Festival Melbourne 2006, local attractions or even a place to eat or stay in Melbourne," Ms Thomson said.

"Detailed directions and a customised map can be printed out or sent to a tourist’s mobile phone within seconds.

"Up to 60 volunteers, wearing distinctive navy uniforms with an orange Directions Plus logo, will be at key locations around the city and the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games venues to help.

"Even if you just want to know where a specific type of restaurant is, the Directions Plus volunteers can locate any restaurant category and tell tourists the quickest way to get there.

"The volunteers can print a tear away map and directions from their portable belt-mounted printer or send a text or picture message directly to a mobile phone, including the map, directions, and even the restaurant’s name and phone number for bookings.

"If you’re lost between two events at different venues, this device can tell you the quickest way to get from A to B, taking into account every mode of public transport, event-specific transport and walking routes.

"This technology is not only a world class performance but also a world class partnership between the Bracks Government, Victorian IT companies Geomatic Technologies and Readify."


Directions Plus was funded through the Microsoft eGovernment Innovation Fund – a joint initiative between the Bracks Government and Microsoft.

Ms Thomson said the project was a great example of the Government’s commitment to fostering innovation and promoting Victoria’s world class ICT industry.

"Victoria’s ICT industry is among the best in the world and this live technology will set a new benchmark for visitor services at major events," Ms Thomson said.

"We have had international interest in this idea. There are endless possibilities for adding new information or looking at new ways to use this product to provide real-time help to people moving around Melbourne, or any other city at any other major event across the world."