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

[jsd]

CBR gets my vote because it's got more flight options (J), and is generally cheap to stay on weekends - whereas hobart is not.

The flight options I'll agree with, you take one of the awkwardly timed QF flights (All 3 of them ) or take JQ, DJ or dare I say it :mrgreen: TT

-- Inbound to HBA --

Flight           Depart               Arrive
QF1011        MEL - 08:45        HBA - 10:00
QF1019        SYD - 14:15        HBA - 16:10
QF1013        MEL - 19:55        HBA - 21:10

-- Outbound from HBA --

Flight           Depart               Arrive
QF1010        HBA - 06:05        MEL - 07:20
QF1020        HBA - 10:40        SYD - 12:25
QF1012        HBA - 16:50        MEL - 18:05

If the HBA-BNE direct flights were to become a permanent addition to HBA that would be fantastic, but I've learned not to get my hopes up when it comes to that poor airport.


As for the hotels I have to say I disagree, just having a quick look at a few of the hotel websites (Accor, Wrest Point etc.) the prices actually seem to come down over the weekend, for example the Grand Mercure Hadley's is $134 over the week and come down to $124 on weekends (Random dates in May). The regular Mercure also comes down a bit but I can't really be bothered typing any more comparisons out.


Josh

Don't really know why I typed all that out, maybe I really wanted to play with the CODE function (Which I screwed up anyway but I'll live), yeah thats my excuse. XD

 

[kpc]

Hobart - Ozfest was held here 2 years ago; I wouldn't mind going back next year.
Queenstown - if we had to go to NZ, this would be my choice but as others have said, flights might be difficult with lack of direct flights
Canberra - reasonable option, but what is there to do in Canberra? (ducking for cover)

Darwin - Ozfest will be held here in May 11, and a lot of us are already going, so I cannot consider this option for an AFF meet the same year!

Auckland - OK option but not for me!
Wellington - after visting this year for 2 nights, I vowed not to return. It was so boring! (sorry, jswong!)


Time of Meet: The last 2 AFF meets were held on the 4th w/e in October so the dates in 2011 wuld be Friday 21st Oct to Sun 23rd Oct 2011. i would be happy to continue with these dates.



So I will be voting for Hobart, and airfares should be reasonably cheap as it is non school holiday time.:mrgreen:

 

[samh004]

... *waits for someone from QF to jump on and suggest Perth so we all pay more in flights*

*Waits for Red Roo*

Ideal opportunity for a JASA and to try out NGCI

Have you been hacked?

 

[Ewing]

lack of direct flights

I'm used to that.

Everyone of the options except for Darwin involves changing in SYD or MEL for me

Oh, and apart from Canberra of course

 

[Keith009]

Do I count as an industry guest Keith? :mrgreen::mrgreen:

Of course, but that means you get to anchor a Behind The Scenes Tell All at one of the dinners.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Ideal opportunity for a JASA and to try out NGCI

We aren't doing this until next year so NGCI will be available around the major airports by then, and JASA that cover Canberra are generally good.

 

[jsd]

Time of Meet: The last 2 AFF meets were held on the 4th w/e in October so the dates in 2011 wuld be Friday 21st Oct to Sun 23rd Oct 2011. i would be happy to continue with these dates.



So I will be voting for Hobart, and airfares should be reasonably cheap as it is non school holiday time.:mrgreen:

Not that it made much of a difference this year, but that is show week in HBA, the only thing that really went up in price was the Spirit of Tasmania but as this is AFF thats not a concern :mrgreen:

Josh

 

[Keith009]

Wellington - after visting this year for 2 nights, I vowed not to return. It was so boring! (sorry, jswong!)

On the contrary, it's my fave city in NZ as it's got the coolest bars of the lot. And the best coffee anywhere in the world (one of the highest number of coffee shops per capita according to one stat I came across). Not very good for accom though. A few Mercures, a tired IC, an ok but out of the way HI.

Ugh... I still can't decide. :/ Pity V-Bulletin has no preferential voting.

 

[Travel Guru]

Of course, but that means you get to anchor a Behind The Scenes Tell All at one of the dinners.

Sounds like fun...how about a behind the scenes tell all on FC?

TG

 

[Mal]

I ticked WLG - mainly because it's a better place than AKL, and not as tourist trashy as ZQN. CHC has very limited tourist attractions as well.

Granted ZQN does have plenty of options for tourists, but I've been there many times, and still can't see what brings people back time after time (apart from snow season!).

You can probably tell I'm biased towards a NZ location. I think it's a good option - Duty Free run, the chance of a SC run, SYD/MEL F lounge access etc etc, and from the East Coast, it's about the same (if not less) than heading to PER. From BNE, the time isn't much more than heading to ADL as well.

DRW I wouldn't suggest, mainly because of the reason already mentioned (ie OzFest @ FT happening there earlier in the year).

I can't guarantee I'll be there at whatever location is chosen, but will try to attend.

 

[JohnK]

vote early vote often!!!!!

I don't think my vote will make a difference anyway. It would appear that the choice has already been made.

If I had to vote I would more than likely vote for CBR as it is close.

I have been to HBA twice and it is boring.
I have been to DRW and trying to avoid Ozfest for that reason alone.
Not interested in going to an AFF Gathering in New Zealand or anywhere overseas for the simple that it costs too much and takes up too working week much time.

 

[markis10]

I voted for HBA but would prefer LST as its easier to get to ex BNE with direct flights, the hotel choices are pretty average except for the apartments on the wharf IMHO. Canberra would be my other choice for ease of access.

 

[serfty]

...
Not interested in going to an AFF Gathering in New Zealand or anywhere overseas for the simple that it costs too much and takes up too working week much time.

On contraire; it's generally less expensive to travel to NZ from East coast Oz than it is to PER! Flights take about the same time Plus you can get Duty Free at reasonable prices!

As far as time goes, an evening flight to, say, AKL with an eveing return two days (one night) later works fine for a weekend.

 

[straitman]

On contraire; it's generally less expensive to travel to NZ from East coast Oz than it is to PER! Flights take about the same time Plus you can get Duty Free at reasonable prices!

As far as time goes, an evening flight to, say, AKL with an eveing return two days (one night) later works fine for a weekend.

Personal opinion only. There are plenty of places left in Australia to have an Australian Frequent Flyer get together before going to NZ.

I voted for Canberra as it is severely underrated and has plenty to offer.

 

[Keith009]

Personal opinion only. There are plenty of places left in Australia to have an Australian Frequent Flyer get together before going to NZ.

Depends on how you define 'Australia.'

In saying that, I voted for Canberra, based on a combination of factors that I'd previously outlined. It was a hard one, as I also really like Hobart. However I'd just returned from a trip to Tasmania not long ago and would like to go elsewhere for a change. Flight schedules to CBR are also a bit more convenient than HBA. As previously mentioned, we'd just have to take care not to schedule the Gathering when Parliament is in session, though IMO spending an afternoon watching Question Time is good fun! (*ducks* )

Whilst NZ presents many interesting options, it is perhaps best suited for a mini gathering. We could have an Adventure Sports gathering in Queenstown for instance, or a Stag gathering in Bali. As many people should be given the opportunity to attend THE Gathering as possible, which should be held in a locale that is the most convenient and least costly for as many AFFers as possible to get to. For this poll, either CBR or HBA are the more practical choices. I'm not averse to Auckland though if that gets eventually voted up - it is actually rather cost and time effective to visit Auckland considering a typical Gathering schedule.

Whichever locale gets voted up, I'd be sure to try my best to make it.

 

[bossreggie]

On contraire; it's generally less expensive to travel to NZ from East coast Oz than it is to PER! Flights take about the same time Plus you can get Duty Free at reasonable prices!

As far as time goes, an evening flight to, say, AKL with an eveing return two days (one night) later works fine for a weekend.

+1 Serfty.

Flying to NZL costs the same $$ as flying to BNE in J with QFF.

I will get FLounge + Duty Free + 30% more spending power (based on approx exchange rate ATM.

I would be happy with ZQN or AKL as my first picks respectively.

In AUS I would CBR then HBA respectively.

I am picking if we went to HBA then Josh would pretty much have EVERYTHING sorted for us. With spreadsheets, intinerarys, IPhone Apps, Google Maps, Hotel rate comparisons, restaurant reviews so no-one else would have to do a thing!!

 

[oz_mark]

I am picking if we went to HBA then Josh would pretty much have EVERYTHING sorted for us. With spreadsheets, intinerarys, IPhone Apps, Google Maps, Hotel rate comparisons, restaurant reviews so no-one else would have to do a thing!!

Organising an AFF Gathering? There's an App for that :shock:

 

[samh004]

Organising an AFF Gathering? There's an App for that :shock:

You be careful, that phrase is now trademarked by Apple!

 

[nlagalle]

This is a really tough choice. I'd love a trip to NZL for the F lounge access. and I've only stopped for 2 hours at AKL coming home from LA once.

For DOM though, again it is tough, but i feel there is probably a better range of things to see and do at CBR.

Also as pointed out the hotel selection is great. I have stayed at many of them, most recently the Diamant - which was very good. The CP is also very good - they upgraded me this year as well.

In terms of things to see - The list is huge. Personally I would go simply to spend another day walking though the War Memorial as it is probably the best in the world and I always see something new there.

Parliament House is amazing for it's design and well worth a look around. Then you have the galleries. I have no idea about golf courses as I find golf a terrible way to ruin a walk!

Will think about it then vote!

Cheers,

Nick

 

[Ewing]

We could always do both.

A full gathering in whatever wins here out of CBR/HBA, and a mini gathering in ZQN

Nick has almost inspired me to go explore some of the very things I pass on my way to the office each day

I'm not sure what the golf courses are like here - I do know that the Federal Golf Club is the closest to where I live. Some of the guys in the office play golf every few weeks though, so I can always ask if CBR is selected