Site Visits

To enhance your Conference experience, we invite you to participate in a Pre-Conference site visit to one of two unique sites within Victoria on Monday 16 February. Details are below and you can book your participation when registering for the Conference.

Numbers are strictly limited for these visits and allocated on a “first come, first served” basis so we encourage you to book early. The site visits will depart from the Sofitel on Collins and return in time for the Conference Welcome Reception which will be at the hotel.

Site Visit 1: Viva Energy Hub, Geelong & Toyota Ecopark Hydrogen Demonstration Centre, Altona

Date: Monday 16 February 2026
Time: 1130-1630hrs
Location: Viva Energy Hub & Toyota Ecopark Hydrogen Demonstration Centre
Departure and return point: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
Dress Code: Sun hat, long sleeves, long pants, and enclosed shoes. Please bring your own high visibility vest and safety glasses (if you have them), items will also be available for loan at site.
Cost: AU$60 per person (includes return coach transfers and light lunch)

In collaboration with our partners at the Viva Energy Hub (located in Geelong) we are delighted to offer AHRC2026 delegates the opportunity to visit the Viva Energy Hub which is the first publicly accessible fuel station offering renewable hydrogen, diesel, and AdBlue refuelling, co-located with ultra-fast EV charging. On the return journey to Sofitel, we will also stop at the Toyota Ecopark Hydrogen Demonstration Centre where delegates will be able to see a range of technologies aimed at reducing carbon in mobility, including cut outs of passenger vehicles (showing internal hydrogen systems) and a brand-new Sora (700 bar) fuel cell passenger bus.

Site Visit 2: The Calix Technology Centre, Bacchus Marsh

Date: Monday 16 February 2026
Time: 1130-1630hrs
Location: The Calix Technology Centre
Departure and return point: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
Dress Code: Sun hat, long sleeves, long pants, and enclosed shoes. Please bring your own high visibility vest and safety glasses (if you have them), items will also be available for loan at site.
Cost: AU$60 per person (includes return coach transfers and light lunch)

Calix (based in Bacchus Marsh) is pioneering hydrogen-based green iron production through its ZESTY technology — an electrified hydrogen-direct reduced iron process compatible with renewable energy. AHRC 2026 delegates will be able to visit the Calix Technology Centre to see first-hand how this innovation is advancing green iron, low-carbon mineral processing and other industrial decarbonisation technologies.