AFF Gathering #11 in DRW on 7 - 9 July 2017

[Awesom Andy]

The Hilton and DT are only 10 mins walk away from each other.

 

[JohnK]

PER-BME-KNX-DRW & DRW-GOV-CNS

However the former is close to $1k and the latter is proving difficult to find availability on, despite the flight existing (QF2694), however as 2 separate flights I can book it for a low $700 so I may just fly direct, the horror!

Have you tried looking for awards? I had the exact routing a few years back but then Air North cancelled BME-KNX-DRW and put me on direct BME-DRW.

 

[samh004]

Have you tried looking for awards? I had the exact routing a few years back but then Air North cancelled BME-KNX-DRW and put me on direct BME-DRW.

Yes, none for the date right now.

 

[Jacques Vert]

The Hilton and DT are only 10 mins walk away from each other.

Which DT are you referring to?

 

[serfty]

Which DT are you referring to?

Both ...

 

[Awesom Andy]

Which DT are you referring to?

They are next to each other, so take your pick.

 

[straitman]

Its peak season !!! ..too say i was a little disappointed with the date is an understatement . its going to be quite exe for those that go.

I agree that the date is disappointing. From experience with OzFest getting people to Darwin is hard enough and doing so in Peak Season is crazy IMHO.

We will endeavour to be there but it may turn out to be the first AFF Gathering we have missed in recent times. Put us down as somewhere Silver/Gold is the best I can offer at this stage.

 

[jsd]

After doing some more research I can confirm that I'm listing as silver for this one. I have NZ booked in March and I want to do Vietnam at some point during the year so it will be entirely down to how much $$$ is remaining after they are both booked. In additional I have had some positive improvements on the career front which may impact my ability to take annual leave. I'm not saying no, just unlikely at the moment.

 

[Bindibuys]

I agree that the date is disappointing. From experience with OzFest getting people to Darwin is hard enough and doing so in Peak Season is crazy IMHO.

We will endeavour to be there but it may turn out to be the first AFF Gathering we have missed in recent times. Put us down as somewhere Silver/Gold is the best I can offer at this stage.

Not the dates I picked, wanted closer to our anniversary end of August, but as we have never been to Darwin, this is the excuse I need to get there.
We must have a few school teachers in the group that wanted during the holidays.???

 

[ozbeachbabe]

For those that are looking at slightly less expensive accommodation I just had a look at the Trivago website for the dates 07-09 July and came up with the following options below. Most of the hotels if prepaid have free cancellation prior to 24-48 hours prior to arrival and some may be book now, pay at the hotel for $10.00 more total while other properties need pre-payment if booked through an OTA such as Expedia. Some of the hotels have a 30% discount if booked today (Tue 27 Dec).

Myself & SO had an inexpensive trip to DRW for the Darwin Cup last year utilising SO's free Amex return VA ticket for his previous year and current year as we booked it during the 2 weeks into his new year overlap when you can take advantage of the 2 week grace period to book the previous year's ticket then as you're now in the current year, utilise that ticket also. Amex can book both tickets in the same pnr. We hired a car from DRW Airport and parked it overnight in Knuckey Street or on the Esplanade free of charge as long as we departed by 0800 before the parking meter kicked in.

We stayed at the Melaleuca on Mitchell which was $125.00 p/nt for a double room with private facilities. It wasn't the most comfortable bed as you could feel the rubber mattress protector underneath the sheets and the corridors do get a bit noisy at night with backpackers returning to their dorms after a night of revelry but it's very central to bars and restaurants due to it's location.

Melaleuca on Mitchell – 52 Mitchell Street Darwin
Double room with private facilities $99.00 per night
Quad room with private facilities $117.00 per night

Travelodge Mirambeena Resort - 64 Cavenagh St Darwin
Standard double or twin room private facilities $157.00 per night (non-refundable) or $209.00 (refundable)

The Cavenagh Hotel - 12 Cavenagh Street Darwin
Standard king room with private facilities $169.00 per night (refundable 24 hour cancellation)

Casa on Gregory - 52 Gregory St Parap
Standard queen $155.00 per night (refundable - 48 hour cancellation)

Mercure Darwin Airport - 1 Sir Norman Brearley Drive Darwin Airport
One queen bed private facilities $111.00 per night (non-refundable early bird rate booked via Accor website)

Novotel Darwin Airport - 2 Sir Norman Brearley Drive Darwin Airport
One queen bed private facilities $115.00 per night (refundable rate booked via Expedia)

 

[samh004]

I am going to have to downgrade my self to bronze this year. I have a big European getaway planned for June - July and the villa in Spain that is booked ends on 9th July.

I was really looking forward to it, so I can only hope that those who chose the earlier weekend in the date poll actually go to continue making the AFF Gatherings a great event.

See you in 2018!

* I can still help any organisers out, I'm just unlikely to attend.

 

[puppysparkes]

For any members comfortable with sharing: http://www.argusaccommodation.com.au

I can personally recommend the penthouse.

 

[Mattg]

I had been hoping to get to this, but I'm afraid those dates are unlikely to work for me.

 

[oh_lol]

Just stumbled into this thread.

I'm a local, but will be golfing overseas on those dates, although I help with recommendations and stuff.

 

[penegal]

Just stumbled into this thread.

I'm a local, but will be golfing overseas on those dates, although I help with recommendations and stuff.

We should catch up for a drink next week then.

 

[oh_lol]

Unfortunately off to Bali on Sunday, then onwards to Hong Kong.
How often are you in town? I live in Darwin, but I am away more than I am here

 

[penegal]

Oh, I come and go semi-frequently.

 

[straitman]

Oh, I come and go semi-frequently.

Are you talking about Darwin or life in general :?:

 

[penegal]

Are you talking about Darwin or life in general :?:

A little of column A, a little of column B.

 

[blackcat20]

Luxury Escapes has a deal for Darwin Hilton that may be of interest to some: https://luxuryescapes.com/hilton-darwin