AFF Gathering #15 in NTL on 21 – 23 October 2022

​

Newcastle has been chosen as the AFF Annual Gathering destination for 2022 (postponed from 2021), occurring over the weekend of the 21st to 23rd October. The average temperature range for October is 14.1ºC – 22.1ºC. The average rainfall is 72.5mm with 11 rainy days. It is NSW's second most populated area and Australia's seventh most populous, representing 1.95% of Australia.

The weekend is likely to take in a wine tour, owing to the proximity of the Hunter Valley. Please make it known if you are interested in attending a wine tour when indicating your interest for the weekend, as this will help organisers make a good start on venues that can cater to our group size.

The lead organiser this year is a member that has turned up to many previous events, @Bindibuys.

Members that have offered help include: @support @Bindibuys @Princess Fiona

---

Activities​

Friday 21st October​

The dinner venue is The Landing Bar and Kitchen, located next to the Rydges on the water front. We will have the outdoor marquee all to ourselves, with the sides down for privacy. Menus are available online, and the exact kickoff time will be advised closer to the weekend.

Saturday 22nd October​

During the day will be a wine tour for those who have indicated interest/are booked for the tour and another tour – possibly dolphins – for those not attending the wine tour.

The dinner venue is The Cricketers Arms. There is a cash bar. The special guest is a local Newcastle breakfast DJ.

Sunday 23rd October​

A tour of the city will follow on the last day, ending at Fighter World, located conveniently next to the airport.

Click HERE to Register!!​

Tentative Attendees​

This list simply indicates an interest in attending the event and additionally, the wine tour. Members are in order of response to the thread and are not ranked from silver to platinum (least likely to most likely to attend).

Username	Arrival Details	Accommodation	Wine Tour	Fighter World	Departure Details
Bindibuys	Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	Limousine
Bindibuys +1	Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	Limousine
Hvr	21/10 QF1596	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	23/10 QF1599
drron	21/10 Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	No	23/10 Limousine
mrs.dr.ron	21/10 Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	No	No	23/10 Limousine
Doug_Westcott	21/10 VA1591	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	24/10 VA1592
serfty	20/10 QF1598	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	23/10 QF1599
zig	Friday only	Local	No	No
kpc	Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	No	No	Limousine
kpc +1	Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	No	No	Limousine
Mattg	21/10 VA1593	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	23/10 FC208
samh004	21/10 QF2421	Novotel	Yes	Yes	23/10 QF1946
FishFood	21/10 QF1948	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	23/10 QF1599
Fifa	21/10 Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	Limousine
Fifa +1	21/10 Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	Limousine
straitman	21/10 VA1593	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	24/10 VA1594
Sue Oz	21/10 VA1593	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	24/10 VA1594
straitman +1	Sat Dinner Only	N/A	No	No	TBA Limousine
kangarooflyer88	21/10 Train	Ibis Budget	Yes	Yes	23/10 QF
Eija	21/10 QF1596	TBA	No	Yes	23/10 QF1599
QFWP	22/10 VA1102	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	23/10 VA1109
Bundy Bear	21/10 VA932 then Train	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	23/10 JQ455
Matt_01	21/10 QF1948	TBA	Yes	Interested	23/10 QF1949
Jacques Vert	21/10 Train	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	No	23/10 Train
Gem56	21/10 Train	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	No	23/10 Train
Sprucegoose	21/10 VA1593	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	24/10 VA1594
Exceladdict	Friday only
Aeolus	Friday TBA	Holiday Inn Express	No	No	Sunday TBA
sharpinjr	Limousine	Local	No	Yes	Limousine
sharpinjr + 1	Limousine	Local	No	Yes	Limousine
admin	21 Oct VA1593	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	No	23 Oct VA1594
Princess Fiona	Limousine	Local	No	No	Limousine
CMA222			Yes	No
CMA222 +1			Yes	No
CaptJCool			Yes	Yes
CBR_Flyer	Friday		No	Yes

 

[exceladdict]

For those not already IHG platinum, you have one day to register for it.

Generous Offer: Instant IHG Platinum Status + Diamond Challenge

IHG One Rewards has launched a generous new status match and challenge offer which is available even to base-level members of other hotel loyalty programs

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

This will put you in the 120 day window for Newcastle.

Hix normally award amenity points, which is welcome. Breakfast already free. Rob and his team there are fantastic.

Coffee across the road at Sherwood is good in my experience and you get a free first coffee with their app!

I am keeping an eye on the thread, possibly interested in the Friday depending on logistics.

 

[Lynda2475]

Im currently Platinum due to the IHG challenge and have enough IHG nights booked in the next month to keep it, so I cancelled my fully refudable booking at the Crystalbrook and switched to the HIX. With so many status AFFers staying guessing there wont be many upgrades on offer.

 

[drron]

So a whole HIX of platinums likely in Newcastle that weekend.

 

[CMA222]

Username	Arrival Details	Accommodation	Wine Tour	Fighter World	Departure Details
CMA222 (+1)	Fri 21/10 Train	Holiday Inn Express	Interested	Yes	23/10/22 Train

 

[Eija]

TBA -> HIX it is then.

 

[Jacques Vert]

The HIX may need to add a wing at this rate.

 

[Hvr]

The HIX may need to add a wing at this rate.

Well it is fairly 'plane'.

 

[Fifa]

Amex has just released a new offer at IHG Hotels & Resorts:
Spend $350 or more, get $75 back
Valid to 30/11/2022

I may have to change one of my award nights to a paid stay

 

[Bundy Bear]

I see a few people catching the train from Sydney to Newcastle Interchange, I am thinking to fly to Sydney then catch the train, anyone have a time in mind, I have a Virgin credit to use, and flights to Sydney then to Newcastle via train will actually be cheaper.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I see a few people catching the train from Sydney to Newcastle Interchange, I am thinking to fly to Sydney then catch the train, anyone have a time in mind, I have a Virgin credit to use, and flights to Sydney then to Newcastle via train will actually be cheaper.

The train to Newcastle is extremely painful. It’s at least an hour quicker to drive.
I’d strongly suggest booking a hire car and splitting the cost between a few of you.

 

[CMA222]

I see a few people catching the train from Sydney to Newcastle Interchange, I am thinking to fly to Sydney then catch the train, anyone have a time in mind, I have a Virgin credit to use, and flights to Sydney then to Newcastle via train will actually be cheaper.

The trains leave Central about every 30 mins in the early afternoon (more often in afternoon peak) so working backwards from when you want to arrive in Newcastle is the easiest way. I was anticipating arriving between 4pm and 5pm ish so that means a departure at 1.15pm (4.04pm), 1.45pm (4.49)pm or 2.15pm (5.08pm).

 

[CMA222]

The train to Newcastle is extremely painful. It’s at least an hour quicker to drive.
I’d strongly suggest booking a hire car and splitting the cost between a few of you.

For out of towners the trip is an experience in seeing the countryside. It is not a Shinkansen but bearable and suitably economic. If you fly in you still have to get from the airport. The train interchange is across the road from the HIE. Trains departing between 1pm and 2.30pm have plenty of room.

 

[Princess Fiona]

For out of towners the trip is an experience in seeing the countryside. It is not a Shinkansen but bearable and suitably economic. If you fly in you still have to get from the airport. The train interchange is across the road from the HIE. Trains departing between 1pm and 2.30pm have plenty of room.

It’s dire sorry
Absolutely woeful and not cheap from the airport at all.

 

[Mattg]

It’s dire sorry
Absolutely woeful and not cheap from the airport at all.

I actually don't mind the train.

Is your comment referring to the regular commuter trains (that stop at every station north of Berowra) or the XPT?

 

[serfty]

A couple of years ago, I did a commuter train Sunday Newcastle to Mascot, bus to SYD. With my Senior's Opal, the cost was under $4 and took a couple of hours.

Nice views of lakes and things ...

 

[JessicaTam]

Well it looks like I am out. I have started a new role and have the joys of working weekends from time to time.

*sad face*

 

[straitman]

Well it looks like I am out. I have started a new role and have the joys of working weekends from time to time.

*sad face*

Are you sure this time?

 

[JessicaTam]

Are you sure this time?

Now my roster has been sorted - yes.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Hi, I'm confirmed, arriving on VA1593 on 21/10 at HIX and leaving 24/10 VA1594. Will do the Wine tour (of course)

 

[kpc]

Amex has just released a new offer at IHG Hotels & Resorts:
Spend $350 or more, get $75 back
Valid to 30/11/2022

I may have to change one of my award nights to a paid stay

i cancelled my 2 night rewards stay and rebooked a 2 night paid stay to take advantage of the Amex offer