Ideas for AFF Gathering #7

[JessicaTam]

Why not have it in Queenstown? I don't see why we need to limit ourselves to Australian destinations for an AFF do. Fares can be cheap if booked outside of peak travel periods as sam mentioned...

And there is always an F lounge or two...

 

[anat0l]

Why not have it in Queenstown? I don't see why we need to limit ourselves to Australian destinations for an AFF do. Fares can be cheap if booked outside of peak travel periods as sam mentioned...

Like I said, if it was decided that it be held in ZQN (or any other NZ destination), I wouldn't immediately rule it out, and I think many here would do the same.

That said, historical evidence seems to suggest there is more resistance going to NZ for this Do than within the country (perhaps not significant resistance, but so there).

Hell, why not suggest Fiji? (That said, cheapest Y flights to NAN are definitely more expensive than Trans-Tasman; something around $200 - $300 one-way is probably pushing it a bit far...)

I reckon we should get some sort of system going like the decide the Olympics, viz. the locations of the next two Do's should always be known. (We can skip the whole bureaucracy, lobbying, voting, bribery, government underhandedness, etc. of the real Olympic location selection process... ) Either that, or let's short list 6 places then get someone to roll a die a few hundred times and decide that way

 

[Ewing]

I will be having my own gathering in ZQN for 3 days in January. I sense wine and a few good books!

First time there.

 

[tuapekastar]

I will be having my own gathering in ZQN for 3 days in January. I sense wine and a few good books!

First time there.

As I mentioned on the weekend (unsolicited advice ) Amisfield Winery (we did 'Trust The Chef' at Easter 2011) was brilliant, and in town Fishbone was really good. Of course, there are very many choices but I found these two worthwhile.

 

[JohnK]

I guess we (well, someone) could organise a weekend in NZ as an 'additional' DO i.e. not AFF #n, and save the 'official' AFF #n weekends for Oz locations.

Next they will be suggesting SIN for an AFF Gathering.

Keep them simple and keep the costs down. Plenty of places in Australia to visit and when we run out start again....

 

[oz_mark]

Like I said, if it was decided that it be held in ZQN (or any other NZ destination), I wouldn't immediately rule it out, and I think many here would do the same.

New Zealand locations always get a mention, but when it comes to the actual poll to find a location, they don't do so well. Certainly there are some attractions to holding events in NZ (or Fiji), but I think the flagship event should stay in Australia to maximise the participation in the event.

 

[coolumbla]

Next they will be suggesting SIN for an AFF Gathering.

Keep them simple and keep the costs down. Plenty of places in Australia to visit and when we run out start again....

singapore?
teh princess and i have done that !

 

[coolumbla]

As I mentioned on the weekend (unsolicited advice ) Amisfield Winery (we did 'Trust The Chef' at Easter 2011) was brilliant, and in town Fishbone was really good. Of course, there are very many choices but I found these two worthwhile.

if we have it in zqn I wont be going direct , does euro have a TLA?

sage and anchovy chips and that jalapeno creme fraiche thing!
YUM!!!

 

[Ewing]

As I mentioned on the weekend (unsolicited advice ) Amisfield Winery (we did 'Trust The Chef' at Easter 2011) was brilliant, and in town Fishbone was really good. Of course, there are very many choices but I found these two worthwhile.

Yep, I must be visiting Amisfield given how much of their wines I've consumed over the years!

 

[file51]

HBA sounds good, especially it's the only capital city I've never been before. Just hoping the DJ lounge will be completed in time next year for my flights!

And I thought I was converting to a qantas flyer :-|

Another hands up for HBA here

ZQN would be great, BUT I am a strong believer in KISS, simple is good and ZQN, or anywhere in NZ would be fun,
but it may rule more out for whatever reason over somewhere on local ground (yes, I know some still think Tasmania
is another country)

 

[gwilli1]

tuapekastar and I were talking about this last night.

We suggested that a side-trip to Bruny Island would be a good thing to do at HBA. HBA also has Mt Wellington, Mona, Salamanca markets, etc

Actually im going to show some support HBA's way also. . Whilst i was just in HBA a few months back , and never thought id head back within the 12 months, but the suggestion of a side trip to Bruny Island has got my attention and definitely on my bucket list do. Check this out Bruny Island Cruises Wildlife Eco Cruise in Tasmania.

 

[Newk]

I'm new here but would be aiming to attend the next one.
For what it's worth I like Hobart.
I wouldn't object to Queenstown or even Singapore but can understand the potential problems.

I liked the Bruny Island idea

 

[samh004]

Why not have it in Queenstown? I don't see why we need to limit ourselves to Australian destinations for an AFF do. Fares can be cheap if booked outside of peak travel periods as sam mentioned...

Can be, but numbers would likely fall a lot short of normal.

Issue with ZQN might be that there's so much to do that a weekend (which is the usual format of AFF Gathers) might not be long enough, especially when you factor in getting to and from the place. Thus having it's own special event would more more favourably. And that's not to say the AFF Gathers can't have an altered format, but the format works.

Plus, there seems to be a lot of movement towards larger than usual expenses, dining out in only the flashiest restaurants, and ZQN would make that very easy to do, which would then restrict who could participate. So even if it were a contender, you'd want an organiser that was willing to offer a budget night and day too, and I'm not saying you can't do that, but I've observed quite a few threads that give me the idea that ZQN would be a lavish affair appropriate only for those with the most Platinum (or Black) of cards

At some stage, and I'm not dictating how this thread is to be played out, a short (or long) list of venues should be taken to a poll and voted on. If a winner and suitable organisers can be found quickly, it'll make the job much easier for them.

 

[JessicaTam]

...

At some stage, and I'm not dictating how this thread is to be played out, a short (or long) list of venues should be taken to a poll and voted on. If a winner and suitable organisers can be found quickly, it'll make the job much easier for them.

It seems at this stage the places that have generated discussion possibly worth pursuing are:

CNS
HBA
MEL
MQL
SYD
ZQN

More?


Sent from my iThing.
Why, because iCan.

 

[samh004]

It seems at this stage the places that have generated discussion possibly worth pursuing are:

CNS
HBA
MEL
MQL
SYD
ZQN
ADL
MCY
NTL/Hunter

More?

Probably give it another week and see if anything else can be suggested

 

[Lowjhg]

AYQ?
I seem to recall suggestions about that?

 

[penegal]

Actually im going to show some support HBA's way also. . Whilst i was just in HBA a few months back , and never thought id head back within the 12 months, but the suggestion of a side trip to Bruny Island has got my attention and definitely on my bucket list do. Check this out Bruny Island Cruises Wildlife Eco Cruise in Tasmania.

I have done that cruise/tour, and I highly recommend it. Amazing part of the country, and the boys on the boats are good fun.

Dad and I randomly met Rob Pennicott (the owner/founder) on the ferry back from Bruny Island to the TAS mainland. He was a really friendly & genuine guy. Absolutely recommend we give him our business if HBA is chosen.

 

[JohnK]

AYQ?
I seem to recall suggestions about that?

Airfares and accommodation would be a real concern.

 

[anat0l]

Airfares and accommodation would be a real concern.

We could camp?



Just kidding.

 

[markis10]

We could camp?



Just kidding.

Considering sails has a campground as well as 5 star rooms, thats a possibility.