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

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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

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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

 

[Princess Fiona]

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?

Yes and that’s the vast majority of them. And we also always get the old stock carriages never the new ones on any service.

The XPT is actually not much faster than the coughpy train.

 

[Mattg]

Yes and that’s the vast majority of them. And we also always get the old stock carriages never the new ones on any service.

The XPT is actually not much faster than the coughpy train.

The XPT isn't super fast (I'm sure driving is quicker), but I find it comfortable and enjoy the scenery on the trip from Sydney to Newcastle.

I see there's also a flight available from SYD with FlyPelican for $99, but with a 19:40 arrival time you'd miss the start of the Friday evening event.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The XPT isn't super fast (I'm sure driving is quicker), but I find it comfortable and enjoy the scenery on the trip from Sydney to Newcastle.

I see there's also a flight available from SYD with FlyPelican for $99, but with a 19:40 arrival time you'd miss the start of the Friday evening event.

Honestly if a few people are arriving at the same time in SYD it would be $100 for a hire car between them. 2 hours 15 mins maximum to HIX.

 

[CMA222]

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

Yes and that’s the vast majority of them. And we also always get the old stock carriages never the new ones on any service.

The XPT is actually not much faster than the coughpy train.

I was not referring at any stage to the train trip from the airport to the city, which if there are two or more people is generally more expensive than am Uber or a taxi.
The interurban trains from Central to Newcastle are the newest in the fleet that the Union will currently operate. {There are the ultra new ones that the Union refuses to operate, which are intended for the interurban operations, currently sitting in storage}. Recently the interurban cars are clean, comfortable and quiet, particularly in the carriages designated as "Quiet" cars. Peak hour services are probably a less pleasant experience. The train does not have any tolls, petrol costs, one way rental surcharges or highway patrol encounters.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I was not referring at any stage to the train trip from the airport to the city, which if there are two or more people is generally more expensive than am Uber or a taxi.
The interurban trains from Central to Newcastle are the newest in the fleet that the Union will currently operate. {There are the ultra new ones that the Union refuses to operate, which are intended for the interurban operations, currently sitting in storage}. Recently the interurban cars are clean, comfortable and quiet, particularly in the carriages designated as "Quiet" cars. Peak hour services are probably a less pleasant experience. The train does not have any tolls, petrol costs, one way rental surcharges or highway patrol encounters.

The trains that we get to Newcastle are the ones with the seat backs that swing around. Not the new ones.

 

[Bindibuys]

Currently on the train from Central to Morisset (a few stops short of NTL interchange. Here are the 2 types of trains that run this line. Both have toilets on board (only if you are desperate)

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[Bindibuys]

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[Princess Fiona]

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The latter is almost never seen on the Newcastle route. The former is the norm.

 

[Bindibuys]

Having just completed my Bali holiday and 3 x status runs to AKL, I have been using this service every week.
Not for everyone, and luggage can be an issue if you have multiple large bags.

 

[Mattg]

I've booked my flights to/from NTL.

VA1593 (MEL-NTL) on 21 October.
FC208 (NTL-CBR) on 23 October.

 

[Mattg]

If anyone hasn't booked their accommodation yet and wants to stay at the Holiday Inn Express, IHG currently has an 80% bonus promo on buying points.

The member rate at HIX is currently starting at $210/night, so $420 for 2 nights.

Alternatively, any of the remaining rooms are available for 15,000 IHG points per night or 5,000 points + $113 per night.

You could buy 30,600 IHG points (including the bonus points) during the current sale (ends 15 August) for USD195.50, or approx. AUD281. That's a saving of $139 if you use those points to book two reward nights.

Or, buy 10,800 IHG points (including the 80% bonus points, i.e. you pay for 6,000 points) for USD81, or approx. AUD117. Then, book two nights for 10,000 IHG points + AUD225.92. Total cost is $343, which is more than the cost of just buying 30,000 points but still a $77 saving.

 

[CaptJCool]

Hi all

I’m hopeful of training up in October (wine and Fighters sound great), and it’s now tentatively pencilled in the diary.

is there a due date by when I need make a final yes/no answer ?

thanks

 

[Bindibuys]

Hi all

I’m hopeful of training up in October (wine and Fighters sound great), and it’s now tentatively pencilled in the diary.

is there a due date by when I need make a final yes/no answer ?

thanks

Thanks, what about Friday night??
picking bus company today now that numbers have settled.
Dry run of wine tour done on Monday, and arranging tour time with Fort Scratchley this morning. (after gym)

 

[exceladdict]

Hoping to join on the Friday night for dinner, but will likely fly out on Saturday so won't be able to join any weekend activities. Likely HIX Friday night.

 

[Bindibuys]

Hoping to join on the Friday night for dinner, but will likely fly out on Saturday so won't be able to join any weekend activities. Likely HIX Friday night.

Hoping to join on the Friday night for dinner, but will likely fly out on Saturday so won't be able to join any weekend activities. Likely HIX Friday night.

Friday night, is just rock up to "the Landing" and purchase your own dinner/drinks.
We have the outside marquee booked.

 

[CaptJCool]

Thanks, what about Friday night??
picking bus company today now that numbers have settled.
Dry run of wine tour done on Monday, and arranging tour time with Fort Scratchley this morning. (after gym)

Have sorted out travel so it’s a YES from me

 

[Matt_01]

Have sorted out travel so it’s a YES from me

As we may be starting from the same location are you travelling direct.

 

[CaptJCool]

As we may be starting from the same location are you travelling direct.

Hey Matt

by sorted, I meant a rough plan of a pit stop in sydney as Another mate and I are planning on checking out real estate ahead of jumping The train to NTL with him off to see rellies in Gosford.

By all means we could arrange a training party, if this suits or co-ordinate travel home (would that be via brisbane?)

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Update: Ended up cancelling the Ibis Budget and rebooking stay the the HIExpress Newcastle as IHG was selling the room at $75 USD/night (~$100 AUD) and IMHO it's worth spending the extra $50 on a 2 night stay to stay at a HIExpress over an Ibis Budget, especially when brekkie is included. For those wondering how I got the $75 USD/night rate, I bought 300,000 IHG points a week ago for around $1500 USD. A night at the HIExpress Newcastle runs you 15,000 points/night.

And for those wondering why I would by so many damn points, I'd encourage you to look at award redemptions with IHG. I'm staying in LA and downtown Toronto for like $100 USD/night (including all taxes and fees). You'd be lucky if you could book a room at the Comfort Inn for that price!

-RooFlyer88

 

[Lynda2475]

Unfortunately my high school reunion has now been scheduled for 22nd Oct, so I am going to have to withdraw - thankful flights were on points so refundable as was hotel.