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

Added to Calendar: 21-10-22, 22-10-22, 23-10-22

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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).

UsernameArrival DetailsAccommodationWine TourFighter WorldDeparture Details
BindibuysLimousineHoliday Inn ExpressYesYesLimousine
Bindibuys +1LimousineHoliday Inn ExpressYesYesLimousine
Hvr21/10 QF1596Holiday Inn ExpressNoYes23/10 QF1599
drron21/10 LimousineHoliday Inn ExpressYesNo23/10 Limousine
mrs.dr.ron21/10 LimousineHoliday Inn ExpressNoNo23/10 Limousine
Doug_Westcott21/10 VA1591Holiday Inn ExpressYesYes24/10 VA1592
serfty20/10 QF1598Holiday Inn ExpressNoYes23/10 QF1599
zigFriday onlyLocalNoNo
kpcLimousineHoliday Inn ExpressNoNoLimousine
kpc +1LimousineHoliday Inn ExpressNoNoLimousine
Mattg21/10 VA1593Holiday Inn ExpressYesYes23/10 FC208
samh00421/10 QF2421NovotelYesYes23/10 QF1946
FishFood21/10 QF1948Holiday Inn ExpressYesYes23/10 QF1599
Fifa
21/10 Limousine
Holiday Inn Express
NoYesLimousine
Fifa +1
21/10 Limousine
Holiday Inn ExpressNoYesLimousine
straitman21/10 VA1593Holiday Inn ExpressNoYes24/10 VA1594
Sue Oz21/10 VA1593Holiday Inn ExpressNoYes24/10 VA1594
straitman +1Sat Dinner OnlyN/ANoNoTBA Limousine
kangarooflyer8821/10 TrainIbis BudgetYesYes23/10 QF
Eija21/10 QF1596TBANoYes23/10 QF1599
QFWP22/10 VA1102Holiday Inn ExpressNoYes23/10 VA1109
Bundy Bear21/10 VA932 then TrainHoliday Inn ExpressYesYes23/10 JQ455
Matt_0121/10 QF1948TBAYesInterested23/10 QF1949
Jacques Vert21/10 TrainHoliday Inn ExpressYesNo23/10 Train
Gem5621/10 TrainHoliday Inn ExpressYesNo23/10 Train
Sprucegoose21/10 VA1593Holiday Inn ExpressYesYes24/10 VA1594
ExceladdictFriday only
AeolusFriday TBAHoliday Inn ExpressNoNoSunday TBA
sharpinjrLimousineLocalNoYesLimousine
sharpinjr + 1LimousineLocalNoYesLimousine
admin21 Oct VA1593Holiday Inn ExpressYesNo23 Oct VA1594
Princess Fiona
Limousine
LocalNoNo
Limousine
CMA222YesNo
CMA222 +1YesNo
CaptJCoolYesYes
CBR_FlyerFridayNoYes
 
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serfty said:
For those not already IHG platinum, you have one day to register for it.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

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 www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

This will put you in the 120 day window for Newcastle.
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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.
 
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.
 
UsernameArrival DetailsAccommodationWine TourFighter WorldDeparture Details
CMA222 (+1)Fri 21/10 TrainHoliday Inn ExpressInterestedYes23/10/22 Train
 
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.
 
Bundy Bear said:
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.
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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.
 
Bundy Bear said:
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.
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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).
 
Princess Fiona said:
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.
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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.
 
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CMA222 said:
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.
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It’s dire sorry
Absolutely woeful and not cheap from the airport at all.
 
Princess Fiona said:
It’s dire sorry
Absolutely woeful and not cheap from the airport at all.
Click to expand...

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?
 
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 ...
 
Fifa said:
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😉
Click to expand...
i cancelled my 2 night rewards stay and rebooked a 2 night paid stay to take advantage of the Amex offer :)
 
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