AFF Gathering #16 in LST on 13 – 15 October 2023

Launceston has been chosen as the AFF Annual Gathering destination for 2023, occurring over the weekend of the 13 to 15 October. The average temperature range for October is 7ºC – 18.2ºC (November is 9.1ºC to 20.5ºC). The average rainfall is 48mm with 7.5 rainy days. It is Tasmania's second most populous city following Hobart – which held AFF#7 in 2013 – and Australia's 21st most populous overall.

In addition to the usual dinners, planned activities (all subject to confirmation) for Saturday include a visit to the Table Cape tulip farm in full bloom, Ashgrove cheese and/or Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm and/or Anvers chocolate, and a separate wine excursion along the Tamar River, perhaps including the Beaconsfield Mine (disaster) museum. On Sunday, a visit to Cataract Gorge and/or a cruise on the Tamar and if possible, a visit to the National Automobile Museum and the Boags brewery.

Costs are expected to be inline with past AFF Meet-ups, subject to fuel price increases!

However, the organisers have noted that wineries in the area who will take groups of more than 10 are limited. An alternative to the usual style of AFF-organised bus may be an externally-organised paid tour, but this would be more expensive - perhaps $170 including transport, lunch and tastings but this could take a bigger group. Those who may consider themselves 'Platinum' or 'Gold' may wish to express their willingness to pay for the second option if the usual style tour is not possible, to assist with planning.

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Please make it known what activities you would be interested in (generally) when indicating attendance, so the organisers can gauge numbers before announcing final plans and itineraries. For example:

• interested/not interested in alcohol-based activities (vineyard/distillery/brewery),
• interested/not interested in food based activities (cheese/chocolate/fruit),
• interested/not interested in general activities (museums/flowers/cruise)., etc.

The usual schedule includes two dinners, a Friday welcome dinner that is more casual and a Saturday "guest speaker" dinner that could be considered more formal. While people generally mingle at both, you may find the space chosen on Saturday makes it harder to do so, but is regarded as the main event as well.

The lead organisers this year are @RooFlyer & @Steady , however they encourage all members local to Launceston (or surrounding areas) to raise their hands on helping coordinate the weekend.

The AFF Leadership Team can provide support in terms of money collection and distribution, and editing this thread as needed. If something needs to be updated, please simply report the post with the update so anyone on the team can action it (starting a conversation only alerts one person).

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Links:

Tulips: VDQ Bulbs | Van Diemen Quality Bulbs
Ashgrove: Ashgrove Cheese, Tasmania, Australia
Christmas Hills: Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe
House of Anvers: https://www.anvers-chocolate.com.au/
Beaconsfield: Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre
National Automobile Museum: N.A.M.T.

 

[straitman]

Now checked in for my direct Jetstar to Launceston,

Have they cancelled yet?

 

[CaptJCool]

Now checked in for my direct Jetstar to Launceston,

Let’s Get Started !
And run run run

Post automatically merged: Oct 12, 2023

Hey @Matt_01

Your transport awaits !

 

[CaptJCool]

Now for everyone wanting to save their wallet after a heavy Saturday night
Unfortunately it appears the tram museum will be closed on Sunday

However right adjacent
At the QVMAG just across the river from Boags
A freebie AVIATION exhibit

And for a added bonus

 

[drron]

Have they cancelled yet?

Don’t knock the JQ BNE - LST service. It was the most reliable option in the pandemic. QF didn’t even fly into LST and VA usually cancelled 1 of their 2 weekly flights. I never had a cancellation from JQ Mrsdrron had to cancel one when our wonderful premier closed down the Sunshine Coast. But refunded immediately.
Mrsdrron had 3VA bookings and all 3 cancelled but also refunded immediately.

 

[RooFlyer]

In a glorious building

Many such around Launnie. Thank the mining entrepreneurs of the nineteenth century! Beaconsfield Gold, Mt Bischoff tin ....

 

[RooFlyer]

For those arriving on QF1547, I think boxo, Prez and Matt are getting a lift with @sirchop. @Fifa - I should be driving past about that time - would you and +1 like a lift? I'll watch the arrival time and send you a text as to where I'll be.

 

[Fifa]

For those arriving on QF1547, I think boxo, Prez and Matt are getting a lift with @sirchop. @Fifa - I should be driving past about that time - would you and +1 like a lift? I'll watch the arrival time and send you a text as to where I'll be.

Thanks for the offer @RooFlyer.
@meMEme has already posted and kindly offered to pick us up unless he would prefer to stay at home!

 

[boxo]

I ditched my last sightseeing day in Canberra, checked out of my hotel this morning, walked to the neighborhood grocer to have a look, had lunch, and went out to the airport Vibe. It’s raining, so I feel vindicated for skipping out on the Botanic Gardens and Parliament.

Random question: Any Tom Bihn fans here? If so, introduce yourselves to me.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I ditched my last sightseeing day in Canberra, checked out of my hotel this morning, walked to the neighborhood grocer to have a look, had lunch, and went out to the airport Vibe. It’s raining, so I feel vindicated for skipping out on the Botanic Gardens and Parliament.

Random question: Any Tom Bihn fans here? If so, introduce yourselves to me.

Why did you check out of the hotel for, there isn’t much at Canberra airport

 

[Mattg]

I ditched my last sightseeing day in Canberra, checked out of my hotel this morning, walked to the neighborhood grocer to have a look, had lunch, and went out to the airport Vibe. It’s raining, so I feel vindicated for skipping out on the Botanic Gardens and Parliament.

Random question: Any Tom Bihn fans here? If so, introduce yourselves to me.

Are you flying CBR-LST tomorrow @boxo? If so, which flight/s?

 

[boxo]

Are you flying CBR-LST tomorrow @boxo? If so, which flight/s?

QF 1513 CBR MEL 07:50 09:00
QF 1547 MEL LST 12:30 13:40

@Bundy Bear , I’m taking a break from my knee brace and doing in-sink laundry.

 

[CaptJCool]

QF 1513 CBR MEL 07:50 09:00
QF 1547 MEL LST 12:30 13:40

@Bundy Bear , I’m taking a break from my knee brace and doing in-sink laundry.

If you’re on the right side of the Vibe hotel
You might see

 

[Matt_01]

Earlier today I thought I was going to be an involuntary cancelation thanks to QF. When I went to the OLCI the app and the web site would not let me check in and said I had to do it at the airport. I have had this happen before but normally flying QF to international connections on partner airlines but have also seen it for domestic flights. From experience when this happens there is something normally wrong with the booking and my instinct told me to call QF. So after calling it turns out that my flights made back in April were never ticketed in the QF system and there is a backstory as to how this happened. Anyhow everything is now sorted, tickets have be issued, I have been able to check in and now you have to put up with me for a couple of days

 

[CaptJCool]

The afternoon soirée
And a chairlift mlhhhm


Rock and a hard place



Thanks for small Inclinators

 

[RooFlyer]

Those who are thinking of doing a Boags Brewery Tour on Sunday ( it’s downtown Launceston) should make a booking

James Boag

You must be 18+ to enter the James Boag's website

www.jamesboag.com.au

 

[drron]

Well have a great weekend to all the attendees.
Wish I was there with you as Lonnie was my second home for nearly 3 years and I got to really like the place.

 

[CaptJCool]

Soirée at the Sebel

Earlier today I thought I was going to be an involuntary cancelation thanks to QF. When I went to the OLCI the app and the web site would not let me check in and said I had to do it at the airport. I have had this happen before but normally flying QF to international connections on partner airlines but have also seen it for domestic flights. From experience when this happens there is something normally wrong with the booking and my instinct told me to call QF. So after calling it turns out that my flights made back in April were never ticketed in the QF system and there is a backstory as to how this happened. Anyhow everything is now sorted, tickets have be issued, I have been able to check in and now you have to put up with me for a couple of days

You can shoot at QF

THE Barracks is next door !

 

[Steady]

Those who are thinking of doing a Boags Brewery Tour on Sunday ( it’s downtown Launceston) should make a booking

James Boag

You must be 18+ to enter the James Boag's website

www.jamesboag.com.au

I’ve booked the 11:00 tour

 

[Matt_01]

Those who are thinking of doing a Boags Brewery Tour on Sunday ( it’s downtown Launceston) should make a booking

I’ve booked the 11:00 tour

I am just following the organisers leads I am now on the 11am beer tour.

 

[RooFlyer]

THE Barracks is next door !

You are at the front of the hotel? Can you see a nice clock tower?

The Town Clock in Launceston | Discover Tasmania

The Town Clock in Launceston, TAS is an ornate brick tower that is seen out of General Post Office. Plan your trip here with our guide here at tasmania.com.

tasmania.com