Oz Fest #8" – Darwin Northern Territory - Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29, 2011

[straitman]

"Oz Fest #8" – Darwin Northern Territory - Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29, 2011

An invite to AFF members to attend Oz Fest #8.

Like the Australian Frequent Flyer gatherings the Flyer Talk community has many get ‘DO’s all around the world each year. The one that affects us most in this part of the world is Oz Fest. In May 2011 Oz Fest #8 will be held in Darwin. Oz Fest is always held on the US Memorial Day weekend as it allows US participants to attend and fly home on the Monday and be bright and ready for work on the Tuesday morning, or at least that is the theory.

Many of the participants are members of AFF and FT but I am sure there are a few AFF members who are not on FT and who possibly do not know about Oz Fest. Please look at the attached links to the Oz Fest #8 thread on FT and come along and make the party bigger (do we need bigger?) and better than in previous years. We already have 43 confirmed starters, 12 maybe starters and 7 interested starters.

Post #5 gives the details of all the previous Oz Fests. Only ozstamps and QF WP (Lindsay Wilson) have attended all 7 Oz Fest events with a strong supporting cast having attended 5 or 6. I am sure you will recognise some of the names and handles even though some of us aren’t smart enough to use the same handle on both forums.

2 FTer's have attended all 7 previous Oz Fests
ozstamps
QF WP

2 FTer's have attended 6 previous Oz Fests
restlessinRNO
Serfty

9 FTer's have attended 5 previous Oz Fests
Bundy Bear
gvdIAD
Itsalongwaydown
JohnK
JohnSydney2000
kpc
MargoOz
Sue Oz
To Market to Market

This thread is posted for information purposes only and will remain closed. Extra information will be added here as is necessary to keep people updated.

For people to attend Oz Fest they need to be registered on Flyer Talk and register their interest on the Oz Fest thread.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Markis10 is in DRW so will be catching up with him tomorrow or Friday so we can put our heads together to finetune a few things including our own version of a hotel club lounge.

I would like to have all plans finalised ie pre-do 25-27 May, post-do 30 May, sightseeing tours on Sat & Sun plus dinners on Fri & Sat all sorted by the end of next week - Fri 28 Jan.

I will then get make a list of the deposits that need paying & when final payments are due. I'd have so say the NT is a little relaxed in that a few things I've booked don't even need a deposit & when I enquire when final payment is due I get "oh just prior to departure is fine".

I think it would be good if we can arrange final payment for 45 days before and at that time have a list of names for attendees for each event.

Last year & even this year there have already been some great promotional airfares to/from DRW so attending OzFest could be less expensive than you think.

To all you young bucks out there, if you don't have the coupons for a Crowne Plaza type hotel why not get a quad share dorm with private facilities at Melaleuca on Mitchell for AUD140.00 per night which would work out AUD35.00 per night each if there was 4 of you. You can call them on 1 300 723 437 or click on link below.

https://www.thebookingbutton.com.au/reservations/melaleucadirect/1866?start_date=2011-01-20

Darwin in May is a great time to escape all that cold weather down south they call winter - remember there's no such thing in Darwin!

See you there.

 

[markis10]

Here is a brief overview of whats being planned, as we get closer more details and online booking/ticketing will be opened up.

Fri 27 May: many of you arrive in DRW on lunch time flights. Those that are on the pre-tour to Kakadu/Arnhemland arrive back in DRW around the same time. Afternoon free to catch up or snooze. Dinner at a local restaurant in the city, possibly the Wharf Precinct - so we'll arrange a minibus or taxi.


Sat 28 May: choice of two half day tours around DRW which should start about 0900 & finish around 1300-1400 to give you free time in the arvo to chill, shop or whatever takes your fancy. Dinner at a local restaurant in Mitchell St easy walk from your hotel.


Sun 29 May: Day tour incorporating Corroboree Billabong & a Jumping Crocodile Cruise starting about 0900 & returning to DRW mid afternoon in enough time to go to the Mindil Beach Sunset markets (sunset 6.27pm / last light 6.50pm for this day). Grab something to eat at one of the many foodstalls or if you prefer some of you may prefer an impromptu dinner somewhere which we can decide on the day.


Mon 30 May: If flying out at lunch time you'll have time for a leisurely breakfast & should have time for some last minute shopping or purchase some Aboriginal Art from one of the many galleries. Those not flying out until Tue, we could arrange a harbour cruise or scenic flight, basically whatever you like!



The check list for those attending the pre-OzFest do at Kakadu would need to be something like:
1. Book flights arriving into DRW no later than Tue 24 May
2. Book DRW hotel checking in preferred date, with checkout am Wed 25 May.
3. Book Holiday Inn Gagudju in 25 May out 27 May​

 

[markis10]

Event Info and ticketing is now online:

https://ozfest.eventarc.com/event/view/2117/ozfest-2011---darwin-nt

 

[straitman]

Oz Fest 8 - 23 days away

Several AFF members are listed as silver (interested) for Oz Fest 8

Have a look at posts # 2 & 3.

Markis10 is taking reservations for activities