AFF Gathering #5 [CBR Oct 7-9], Ideas

[Hvr]

ABC news reported that no one was injured but that the place is totally destroyed.

Looks like the actual hotel isn't damaged but parts of the same complex.

I guess it is time to book some where else and quickly.

 

[Taezar]

I am thinking Novotel. Exe but nice. Found a place that does good bike hires that deliver so I think that will be the way.

 

[Ewing]

Ok, it looks like it may be better than it appeared.

@eighthotels (the operator of the Diamant) have tweeted that the fire was in an adjoining building and the hotel is safe. The same can't be said for the Parlour Wine Room and Flint Restaurant (which is a pity because I've always meant to pop in and check them out).

More information will no doubt come tomorrow.

 

[Ewing]

The Diamant is closing for a few weeks for cleaning and a paint job, but will reopen in July so we're safe.

Statement by the hotel owners: Diamant Hotel Canberra - Part of 8Hotels - Home | Canberra Hotels

 

[samh004]

The Diamant is closing for a few weeks for cleaning and a paint job, but will reopen in July so we're safe.

Statement by the hotel owners: Diamant Hotel Canberra - Part of 8Hotels - Home | Canberra Hotels

That's lucky for us. Wonder where we'll go for breakfast now

 

[Sprucegoose]

There are no real bad places in CBR. Brekkie depends on where you are staying, but I prefer Manuka or Kingston. The classier parts of town.Where are you staying?

 

[oz_mark]

DJ Sale:

Valid for travel on selected dates from 26 July 2011 until 14 September 2011, 18 October until 14 December 2011 and 2 February until 29 March 2012.

QF Sale

Valid for 26 Jul - 14 Sep 2011 and 18 Oct - 14 Dec 2011

Grrrrrrr.......

 

[Taezar]

HEHE oz_mark But it has been like that since March. Always missing the dates we want.

 

[Hvr]

The Diamant is closing for a few weeks for cleaning and a paint job, but will reopen in July so we're safe.

Statement by the hotel owners: Diamant Hotel Canberra - Part of 8Hotels - Home | Canberra Hotels

And the Diamante reopened today so everybody can breath a sigh of relief.

Now as I plan the weekend I am looking for ideas on what people really want to see here. The only other attendee at the recent planning night wont be in Australia during the gathering so we enjoyed the fine cuisine.

Floriade will be on and I do suggest a visit one morning. I have an industry spokesperson confirmed, thanks to a couple of posters here who provided me with a name. The Carillion might ring a bell for a few people. Naturally there will be a visit to both new and old Parliament Houses.

I am very happy to prepare a tour of the local area with my best tourist guide impersonation.

I have a location for Friday drinks etc.

To hire a 24 seater bus will cost about $450 for the weekend. A 12 seater about $250. I can drive both so no problems there. Unfortunately the public transport here is non-existent so it is either a bus or lots of people with cars and mine is very small.

If you want to make sense of the place we can visit the Mint.

There are heaps of things to do, it is planning to make sure that people get to see what really makes the capital tick worth it.

Please post your ideas here and I will collate them and prepare an itinerary.

If you're a local and want to contribute with restaurants hidden treasures etc please feel free to contribute.

 

[oz_mark]

a quiet refreshing ale at the wig and pen

 

[tuapekastar]

a quiet refreshing ale at the wig and pen

Only one? :shock:

Thx Hvr, and once I've had a think I'll post some ideas.

Thx also for the bus-driving offer, the price sounds excellent, and as you say is probably the only practical method of moving us all around.

 

[oz_mark]

Only one? :shock:

It always starts as just one.

 

[penegal]

It always starts as just one.

Yeah, we aren't alcoholics here...

 

[harvyk]

Please post your ideas here and I will collate them and prepare an itinerary.

If you're a local and want to contribute with restaurants hidden treasures etc please feel free to contribute.

Mount Ainslie, show people where the stereotypical photo of Canberra was taken... Plus IMHO better view than from telstra tower and it's free...
Parl house and war memorial are the other two I'd include...

 

[Bundy Bear]

And the Diamante reopened today so everybody can breath a sigh of relief.

Now as I plan the weekend I am looking for ideas on what people really want to see here. The only other attendee at the recent planning night wont be in Australia during the gathering so we enjoyed the fine cuisine.

Floriade will be on and I do suggest a visit one morning. I have an industry spokesperson confirmed, thanks to a couple of posters here who provided me with a name. The Carillion might ring a bell for a few people. Naturally there will be a visit to both new and old Parliament Houses.

I am very happy to prepare a tour of the local area with my best tourist guide impersonation.

I have a location for Friday drinks etc.

To hire a 24 seater bus will cost about $450 for the weekend. A 12 seater about $250. I can drive both so no problems there. Unfortunately the public transport here is non-existent so it is either a bus or lots of people with cars and mine is very small.

If you want to make sense of the place we can visit the Mint.

There are heaps of things to do, it is planning to make sure that people get to see what really makes the capital tick worth it.

Please post your ideas here and I will collate them and prepare an itinerary.

If you're a local and want to contribute with restaurants hidden treasures etc please feel free to contribute.

Thanks for your organising, I think anything you choose will be ok.

I would almost suggest a 12 seater bus should be enough. The evening dinners and evening drinks will get you around the 20-25 people, but organising stuff during the day with a large group can be a little bit more difficult.

I am basing my numbers on what we had for AFF 4 in Brisbane.

I am looking forward to it.

 

[penegal]

I recall there was a thread a year or two ago about the 'best' things to do in Canberra for a family holiday. I think much of that can be linked in this thread, now just if I can find it (tag serfty ).

Mount Ainslie, show people where the stereotypical photo of Canberra was taken... Plus IMHO better view than from telstra tower and it's free...
Parl house and war memorial are the other two I'd include...

I agree, Mt Ainslie is the pick of the mountains/hills around Canberra.



My other 2 cents:

• The Royal Australian Mint is great. It was refurbished circa 2009 and is very visitor friendly. Also, it's free IIRC.
• The National Gallery (NGA) and National Portrait Gallery are good for both art lovers and the general visitor alike, so I think we could drop by there
• Lake Burley Griffin is quite good to walk around / picnic on, especially with Floriade on (weather permitting).
• War Memorial and National Museum are both very good museums, but they do need quite a bit of time to do 'properly', so maybe these should be left off for members to enjoy at their own pace - open to discussion on this point...
• Personally I have little interest in seeing the old and new houses of parliament as I don't think they will have changed in recent months (unless there is a coup I don't know about ). But that said I am happy to tag along with the group and be social.

 

[Ewing]

Given the success of Oyama in Brisbane, how about Wasabi Teppanyaki in Dickson for one of the dinners?

 

[harvyk]

Given the success of Oyama in Brisbane, how about Wasabi Teppanyaki in Dickson for one of the dinners?

How many people are coming to the dinner? If it's the place I'm thinking it is we went there a few years ago for a friends dinner... We had 8 in our group, there was another 8 people and the place was full ...
Personally I'm a fan of Zeffirelli's, and they'd easily cater for a larger group.

 

[Ewing]

How many people are coming to the dinner? If it's the place I'm thinking it is we went there a few years ago for a friends dinner... We had 8 in our group, there was another 8 people and the place was full ...
Personally I'm a fan of Zeffirelli's, and they'd easily cater for a larger group.

The web site says it can cater to a group of up to 35.

From memory, the teppanyaki tables hold maybe 20 (10 on each side). Then there's a few tables around the sides.

I know of Zeffirelli but have never been.

Personally I'm not too fussed, although with the mention of Zeffirelli, I think I might order Crust pizza for dinner

 

[Hvr]

Thanks for your organising, I think anything you choose will be ok.

I would almost suggest a 12 seater bus should be enough. The evening dinners and evening drinks will get you around the 20-25 people, but organising stuff during the day with a large group can be a little bit more difficult.

I am basing my numbers on what we had for AFF 4 in Brisbane.

I am looking forward to it.

Thanks Bundy, that makes sense. And after dinner I can make two trips to get people back to their hotel so that's not an issue.

I recall there was a thread a year or two ago about the 'best' things to do in Canberra for a family holiday. I think much of that can be linked in this thread, now just if I can find it (tag serfty ).


I agree, Mt Ainslie is the pick of the mountains/hills around Canberra.

• Personally I have little interest in seeing the old and new houses of parliament as I don't think they will have changed in recent months (unless there is a coup I don't know about ). But that said I am happy to tag along with the group and be social.

I reckon Mt Ainslie at sunset Saturday evening for a look before dinner will let people see just how scenic and planned our national capital actually is. It will also show off the bush parts of town and be a great photo opportunity.

For dinner I am looking for somewhere we can have good food and conversation and enjoy our after dinner speaker.

Please keep the suggestions coming in, I do appreciate them.

Oh and here is a link to what CBR was like. Maybe you can do some pre-reading.

And yes the email is totally viral here in CBR.