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"Oz Fest #5" - Hobart TASMANIA - Memorial Day weekend May 23-25, 2008

"Oz Fest #5" - Hobart TASMANIA - Memorial Day weekend May 23-25, 2008

Old Jun 21, 2007, 2:20 am
  #1  
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"Oz Fest #5" - Hobart TASMANIA - Memorial Day weekend May 23-25, 2008

"Oz Fest #5" - Hobart, TASMANIA Australia - Memorial Day weekend May 23-25, 2008

After 4 successful OzFests - in Sydney (twice) Brisbane, and Melbourne polling of FT'ers and previous attendees and many private mails seems to have just given Hobart Tasmania the slim edge over Cairns North Queensland for 2008.

The OzFest #4 thread has about 41,169 page views at at June 08 - a massive number for any Doo, anywhere, anytime - and a near all time record - and just beaten by the 46,000+ views of this thread!

For those who hanker for Cairns I feel pretty sure it will win out if there is an OzFest #6 in 2009.

MargoZ and I will certainly be the first confirmed starters to attend, and as with all the other OzFests, I'll be pleased to assist where I can.

Several and possibly all of the committee who assisted to plan Melbourne are happy to assist with Hobart, and we know there are some Hobart based Flyertalkers, who hopefully can join with us to add that invaluable "home town" input. Please let's know if you can assist. Composition of the Organising Committee will be posted here shortly. ^

Mwenenzi has again kindly stepped up to offer his great tracking skills, and is keeping an up to date list of those attending in the first link below.

(These links below are not all active yet, as we are a very long way out, but several of them link to Mwenenzi's info links in this thread.)

* List of Attendees

* Detailed Activities Schedule - and COSTS.

* "RSVP" Index of WHO is doing exactly WHAT - (and WHEN!)

* Hotel & Accommodation Information - and who is staying WHERE!

* Detailed Transport Information

* Things to do and see in Tasmania Part 1

* Things to do and see in Tasmania Part 2 (Restaurants)

The May Memorial Day weekend seems very popular with USA based Flyertalkers, and that is the weekend that was most favored by far. We have bowed to that request and again chosen that weekend.

That public holiday in the USA is Monday May 26th 2008. Remember if you LEAVE Sydney on the afternoon of Monday May 26, you ARRIVE back in the USA also on the morning of Monday May 26. Tons of time to get back home, unpack, have an early night and get organised for a day at the office next day etc.

Mid afternoon is the flight time for United, who have direct daily flights from MEL via SYD to the west coast (to both LAX and SFO) leaving early afternoon ex Sydney. (On these flights, either paid or award, a free stopover in SYD is allowed if MEL is your ticketed destination.)

"Oz Fest 5" is held in HBA and for It'l visitors, remember that domestic flights from either SYD or BNE or MEL to there are very cheap most times, on Virgin Blue (especially) and are only a hour or so in duration from SYD. There are also many direct flights to and from NZ direct to MEL or SYD or BNE via several carriers, in case Americans want an OZ stopover en-route using those bargain $1,200 Biz Fare to NZ half of FT seems to have booked! @:-)

Qantas have fairly recently started services to SFO and and on to YVR from Australia, and for those in that area wanting One World miles or using AA miles to redeem seats on QF, locking in that route NOW might be a path to look at? (Most QF flights are to LAX.) And an award or revenue flight from USA can generally have a MEL end destination at no more cost in $$$s or miles than SYD or BNE I imagine? I understand Air Canada are flying to SYD direct non-stop from YVR from late 2007.

"Oz Fest 2" attracted 58 attendees, a clear record for a Southern Hemisphere FT event. Flyertalkers from 5 continents flew in. We had 47 in Melbourne for OzFest #4, May 2007. I am sure we will see many familiar overseas FT faces in 2008 as well.

Everyone is welcome. Your age, or FF status does not matter. By all means bring a partner or friends to whatever you attend - I am sure all days will be good fun, with good company, whether they are FF'ers or not. :-:

The weather in Sydney and Brisbane and Melbourne for the initial four "Oz Fests" was superb and sunny. Despite June 1 - a few days later, being our official Winter start date.

HBA normally has slightly cooler weather than Melbourne on any given day as it is further south but it should be a very tolerable time to visit. But who know with weather. I came back this month from ALASKA where temp for a week was about 15 degrees warmer than the SYD weather I flew back home into.

I get the feeling this may also turn out to be a very long thread.

Glen

Last edited by ozstamps; Aug 6, 2008 at 12:25 am
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Old Jun 21, 2007, 2:26 am
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ozstamps and MargoOz - Definites.

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Old Jun 21, 2007, 2:32 am
  #3  
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Put me down as a maybe for now, as dates look good. Will try to book a OW award in the next few weeks combining Hobart with something else (maybe Singapore this time). This worked really well when I did HKG-MEL-SYD earlier this year.
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Old Jun 21, 2007, 2:52 am
  #4  
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Out of interest I just checked Virgin fares to Hobart for next month.

Just $A150 RT inc all taxes.

From MEL cheaper still at $A110 RT.

These are typical sale fare levels to Hobart for late May.


Sale Fare 1 x Adult Web
$75.00 AUD
Mon, 23 Jul 07
Flight DJ 618
Operated by Virgin Blue Depart Sydney 08:55 am 23-Jul-07
Arrive Hobart 10:45 am 23-Jul-07


Coming Back
Sale Fare 1 x Adult Web
$75.00 AUD
Sat, 04 Aug 07
Flight DJ 623
Operated by Virgin Blue Depart Hobart 17:00 04-Aug-07
Arrive Sydney 18:50 04-Aug-07


Price Summary
Sale Fare (SYD to HBA)
1 Adult @ $32.73 $32.73 AUD
Taxes / Fees $42.27 AUD

Sale Fare (HBA to SYD)
1 Adult @ $32.73 $32.73 AUD
Taxes / Fees $42.27 AUD


Total Amount: $150.00 AUD


Glen
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Old Jun 21, 2007, 3:30 am
  #5  
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List of Attendess up to post 894 (23 May 08)

Platinum - Confirmed
  1. ozstamps SYD
  2. MargoOz SYD
  3. Itsalongwaydown Vic, Aust
  4. Sue Oz Vic, Aust
  5. MikeMpls MSP
  6. WifeMpls MSP
  7. upup&away ORD
  8. kpc SYD
  9. kpc gf SYD
  10. Falconea MEL
  11. Mr Falconea MEL
  12. TIMP HBA
  13. monitor So Fla & NY
  14. Franny So Fla & NY
  15. jswong WLG
  16. Tom911 SFO
  17. Fredd SEA
  18. Mrs Fredd SEA
  19. serfty MEL
  20. To Market to Market MEL
  21. Aust_Mal Aust
  22. g-day SYD
  23. gvdIAD IAD
  24. Pooch SYD
  25. littl_flier BNE
  26. JohnK SYD
  27. futaris BNE
  28. Mrs futaris BNE
  29. restlessinRNO RNO
  30. QF WP BNE
  31. lili SAN
  32. newself LGB/LAX
  33. anat0l BNE
  34. Efrem Mass, USA
  35. BiziBB SYD
  36. punki SEA
  37. hunki SEA
  38. KLC Tampa, FL
Gold - Maybes

Silver - Interested

Bronze - can't make it & no shows
  1. QF009 MEL
  2. Kiwiflyer AKL
  3. Mrs QF WP & mini QF WP BNE
  4. Mwenenzi MEL
  5. flyingzzzd's QLD
  6. Mr flyingzzzd's QLD
  7. Infoworks SYD
  8. Downunder girl SYD
  9. DownUnderFlyer SYD
  10. ajnz MEL
  11. Perthite PER
  12. Freddie Junior Colorado Springs, USA click for FJ's own thread
  13. Bundy Bear
  14. simong SYD
  15. alect LAX but relocating to MEL
  16. bjornstrom MEL
  17. bjornstrom gf MEL
  18. dedehans USA
  19. d00t BNE
  20. dannyr BNE
  21. RickyT MEL
  22. GDSman HBAwhiPlease respond

___________________________________________
Information on Hotel Central (as arranged by ozstamps) in this post and contact details in
post 295

Information on Friday, Saturday & Sundays activities, as organised by ozstamps, and who is doing what in post 783. See also post 286

People's Flight schedules by serfty ^
___________________________________________
5 :-::-::-::-::-: FTer's for attending all 5 Oz Fests
ozstamps
kpc
QF WP

__________________________________________________
Subscribe to this thread using thread tools (top of the page)
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Last edited by Mwenenzi; May 28, 2008 at 8:27 pm Reason: last update of attendees
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Old Jun 21, 2007, 3:38 am
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Thumbs up

Let's get this rolling already.

Platinum for myself and Sue Oz. ^

I/we have close friends in Hobart who will be willing and able to help with ideas, plans and logistics.

....mmmm might have to do a trial weekend before hand.

Last edited by Itsalongwaydown; Jun 21, 2007 at 3:39 am Reason: Add text
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Old Jun 21, 2007, 3:39 am
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Getting to Tassie

Where is Hobart (HBA), Tasmania you ask
Its the island south of the Oz mainland. Click here for Hobart and here for Tasmania

Get there by air or ferry

By air
SYD-HBA Qantas (QF), Jetstar (JQ), Virgin Blue (DJ)
MEL-HBA Qantas (QF), Jetstar (JQ)
BNE-HBA Jetstar (JQ)
ADL-HBA Jetstar (JQ), Virgin Blue (DJ)

From the airport it is just 17 km (10 miles) to Australia's southern most capital city. Various options for getting to the city

Ferry from Melbourne
Spirit of Tasmania operates between Melbourne and Devonport (north Tassie), sailing from both locations most nights. Feel your holiday start the moment you step on board, sit back, relax and watch the ocean pass you by! Melbourne/Tassie sailings from AU$117. Take your own car from AU$79 (prices as at 21 June 07)

In Hobart local metro transport is by bus


More info to follow

Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jun 23, 2007 at 8:01 am Reason: Island & air link changed to Great Circle Mapper
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Old Jun 21, 2007, 3:56 am
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Originally Posted by ozstamps
Out of interest I just checked Virgin fares to Hobart for next month.

Just $A150 RT inc all taxes.

From MEL cheaper still at $A110 RT.

These are typical sale fare levels to Hobart for late May.


Sale Fare 1 x Adult Web
$75.00 AUD
Mon, 23 Jul 07
Flight DJ 618
Operated by Virgin Blue Depart Sydney 08:55 am 23-Jul-07
Arrive Hobart 10:45 am 23-Jul-07


Coming Back
Sale Fare 1 x Adult Web
$75.00 AUD
Sat, 04 Aug 07
Flight DJ 623
Operated by Virgin Blue Depart Hobart 17:00 04-Aug-07
Arrive Sydney 18:50 04-Aug-07


Price Summary
Sale Fare (SYD to HBA)
1 Adult @ $32.73 $32.73 AUD
Taxes / Fees $42.27 AUD

Sale Fare (HBA to SYD)
1 Adult @ $32.73 $32.73 AUD
Taxes / Fees $42.27 AUD


Total Amount: $150.00 AUD


Glen
At the same time Jetstar (shudder) and Qantas are offering the following:

JQ
MEL – HOB from $A98 return incl Tax
SYD – HBA from $A138 return incl Tax

QF
MEL – HBA from $A210 return incl Tax
SYD – HBA from $A278 return incl Tax

Last edited by Itsalongwaydown; Jun 21, 2007 at 4:05 am Reason: Formatting
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Old Jun 21, 2007, 4:10 am
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I'm a Gold for now...far enough out that I can attend but too far out to know what my client commitments will be...yes I am a slave!
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Old Jun 21, 2007, 4:15 am
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Put me down as a Platinum!
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Old Jun 21, 2007, 4:21 am
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Past 10 posts in the first two hours. This could be huge!
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Old Jun 21, 2007, 4:30 am
  #12  
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Thread title amended as requested to reflect the correct year

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Old Jun 21, 2007, 4:33 am
  #13  
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Thanks for the mod help Jenbel ... the time to edit bypassed me too quickly.

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Old Jun 21, 2007, 4:34 am
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Things to do & see in Hobart Part 1

Tasmania's South Regional Tourism Association very good Hobart web site

Here is one good link and another and another and still more links to web sites

The Pure Tasmania web site link

A good map with some of the local attractions

The Peppermint Bay Cruise. Departing from Hobart's most central port, the half day adventure explores 75km of the magnificent, sheltered waters of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and offers experiences exclusive to the Peppermint Bay Cruise Departs. 11.30am Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday (May 1st - September 30th). Returns 4.30pm (and they have discount vouchers on the web site to download)

Hobarts famous Mt Wellington can be visited by organised tours or by going to it your self

SOUTHWEST WORLD HERITAGE AIR TOUR from Cambridge Airport (Hobart's 2nd smaller airport). Tour includes a spectacular scenic flight and boat trip to Bathurst Harbour. There is an opportunity to see the rare and endangered Orange Bellied Parrot. Tour is approx 4 hours and includes refreshments. Departs 0900 and 1330 daily. (No ff miles but looks good)

The same comapany does SOUTHWEST OFF SEASON SPECIALS. From May to October we will take you to the South West, Tour approx 5 hours, includes scenic flights, boat trip and lunch. Departs 1000.


Web Cam: Hobart Live

Google Hobart, Tasmania


more info to follow

Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jun 23, 2007 at 12:58 am Reason: updates
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Old Jun 21, 2007, 4:37 am
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Put me down as a Gold for this. Likely to attend but no guarantees at this stage.

(PS. What will the hotel of choice be down there? Pretty much no choice in the hotel programs game. Wrest point is too far out (in my opinion). Something in the heart of town would be nicer. Something like the Grand Chancellor or Quest Savoy? I've only stayed at Wrest once when I was down there and havn't sampled the other hotels.)
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