"Oz Fest #6" - Cairns Queensland - Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-24, 2009
#1
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"Oz Fest #6" - Cairns Queensland - Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-24, 2009
"Oz Fest #6" - Cairns Queensland - Memorial Day Weekend May 22-24, 2009
There have been 5 successful OzFests so far - in Sydney (twice) Brisbane, Melbourne - and then Hobart Tasmania earlier this month.
They are one of the most heavily attended of any of the annual FT Doos. Indeed I doubt there are any annual FT Doos outside the USA that have chalked up 6 years running.
Polling of FT'ers on the Hobart thread for the past week, and of previous attendees, and many private emails seems to have decided that the hands down winner for the 200NINE venue should be tropical Cairns Queensland - pronounced KENS for our American friends. There is no R in Cairns.
Hobart had 40 signed up - pretty amazing seeing only one attending was a local, and I feel sure Cairns will get us up to more like the numbers we had for OzFest #2 in Sydney - 58 attendees.
The "OzFest #5" thread has well over 46,000 page views already, and well over 1000 posts (very easily a record for an OzFest thread) and as usual set a view record for a FT Doo thread.
MargoZ and I will certainly be the first confirmed starters to attend, and as with all the other Oz Fests, I'll be pleased to assist where I can.
Unlike Tasmania we have a lot of active Queenslanders on FT, and even Kensians, and I am sure this one will be a lot easier to arrange and cost.
I know from talking at length to itsalongwaydown and serfty down in Tasmania that they (and Sue and Jenny) are most certainly attendees.
itsalongwaydown I believe has a house up there, so it will give him and Sue a chance to do a reccy well before May, to give us a heads up on "FT suitable" places to eat etc. Bill seems to have it largely organised already! So over to him.
Bill has offered to largely keep tabs on things, and he or other volunteers will I am sure add links to activities and attendees in the next few posts, and I can link to them here as usual at base of post #1 - as is traditional for OzFest threads.
Both itsalongwaydown and serfty tell me they know of a Frequent Flying local or two in CNS, who sound like they can assist us as well. That really helps, as it saves someone needing to make an advance trip to line up all the ducks, as Margo and I needed to do for Hobart well in advance, or several things simply would not have occurred for OzFest 5.
Mwenenzi offered invaluable back-up to me for Hobart, tracking attendees etc via his legendary Excel spread sheets, as he has in other Ozfests for those organising, and hopefully he can join us for this one, seeing no woolly jackets are needed in NQ!!
One obvious day of the weekend would be a day cruiser trip right out to the Continental Shelf of the Great Barrier Reef via Quicksilver, or whomever else offers the most attractive group discount rate to us. There you join their large floating scuba/snorkeling/submarine platform for all that stuff, and have lunch etc.
And the other weekend day will most likely be a full day trip thru the dense Kuranda Rain Forest on the elevated sky-train etc. This kind of photo of the Barron Bridge crossing most folks here will have seen before:
http://www.oztravel.com.au/travel_ma...ges/39740.jpeg
And assuming both the above - that we all felt in Hobart were near essentials to do, that leaves only Friday night and Sunday night to debate!
The Cairns Hilton is right on the waterfront and is very central, and right now rates look very sensible. And I am sure they will offer an attractive group package rate deal if most members opt to stay there.
Having ONE central hotel location most folks use is a VERY large plus I always feel. Especially as hotels in Cairns are spread out over a huge area. And it gives the organisers some leverage to extract a great group booking deal.
The May Memorial Day weekend seems very popular with USA based Flyer-talkers, and that is the weekend that was most favored by far. We have bowed to that request and again chosen that weekend - as we have for all other OzFests. Near half the attendees are US based each OzFest.
That public holiday in the USA is Monday May 25th 2008. Remember if you LEAVE Sydney on the afternoon of Monday May 25, you ARRIVE back in the USA also on the morning of Monday May 25. 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 SYD to the west coast (to both LAX and SFO) leaving early afternoon ex Sydney. Near all USA attendees fly UA to OzFests.
CO flies to Cairns from GUAM, and Air NZ has directs from AKL I understand. As far as awards from outside Australia, I think Qantas and a couple of other carriers still service Cairns from Asia. For most overseas "Australia" is the destination, so selecting CNS over SYD will save you the often expensive domestic airfare.
For those with some spare time, or who want to schedule in some spare time, Cairns to Port Moresby Papua New Guinea is only an hour or so flight, and Air Niugini often have DIRT cheap deals ex CNS. I've been to PNG twice on holiday in the highlands and Madang, and it is an experience you'll never forget .. albeit a bit dangerous at times. Take an internal flight to Mt Hagen or Goroka -- it is like going back 200 years in time.
"OzFest #6" is held in CNS and for It'l visitors, remember that domestic flights from either SYD or BNE or MEL to there are tolerably cheap at selected times, on Virgin Blue (especially) and are several hours flying from SYD, so this is no puddle hopper flight. FT'ers will as always update you via this thread when the sale fares come into operation. @:-)
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.) Having CNS as an end destination may not add too much to an It'l ticket over SYD .. do ask.
"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, and 40 in fairly remote Hobart. I am sure we will see many familiar overseas FT faces in 2009 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. Even in Tasmania our most southern city, we were truly blessed with unusually nice weather.
CNS normally has much warmer weather than MEL or SYD on any given day, as it is WAY further North toward the equator, so it should be a superb time to visit.
I get the feeling this may also turn out to be a very long thread.
Glen
Click HERE to view those signed up to attend so far.
Click HERE for: WHAT is going on, WHAT it costs, WHERE folks are staying, and flights.
Click HERE for "How To Get There" and planned activities in Cairns area so far.
Click HERE to view typical WEATHER, and suggested things to see and do in the area.
.
Last edited by ozstamps; May 4, 2009 at 5:43 am
#4
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#6
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Location: MEL
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Posts: 1,505
That's very quick work ozstamps, ^ and sounds like #5 was a hoot!
I am definitely interested in #6 at this stage.
PS. Who is this fromdownunder of whom you speak (still recovering from Ozfest #5? ). Itsalongwaydown may also wonder.
I am definitely interested in #6 at this stage.
PS. Who is this fromdownunder of whom you speak (still recovering from Ozfest #5? ). Itsalongwaydown may also wonder.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sydney
Programs: QF Plat, VA Gold, HH Diam, PC Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,079
The History of Oz Fests
The very first Oz Fest: 2004 (Sydney)[how it all started]
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195676
Oz Fest 2: 2005 (Sydney)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...32#post3000832
Oz Fest 3: 2006 (Brisbane)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ghlight=ozfest
Oz Fest 4: 2007 (Melbourne)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=567379
Oz Fest 5: 2008 (Hobart)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=706312
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195676
Oz Fest 2: 2005 (Sydney)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...32#post3000832
Oz Fest 3: 2006 (Brisbane)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ghlight=ozfest
Oz Fest 4: 2007 (Melbourne)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=567379
Oz Fest 5: 2008 (Hobart)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=706312
#8
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,885
List of Attendees updated 22 May 09 to post 1020 & for PM's - emails
:-: Important information for Oz Fest 6 activites in
post 900 and post 929 (Saturday Hotel pick up) Please read.
Post Oz Fest
SYD Mini-DOs: 26-31 May 2009 hosted by Boxo
_______________
To be updated from time to time. Please PM error's & ommissions
Platinum - Confirmed (in order of confirming will attend)
Gold Maybe
Silver - Interested
Bronze - can't make it
Activities in post 380 (as organised by Itsalongwaydown)
How to pay for activities in post 459
Who is doing what in post 434. Would people please carefully check post 434 to make sure we have the activites correct, especially Sundays Great Barrier Reef trips.
Update on the Saturday Cruise in post 617.
Update on the Friday dinner in post 828 & post 901. $65 pay on the night.
Information on Hotel Central Hilton
Hotels: Who is staying where in post 435
How to get to Cairns in post 9.
Flight Itineraries of attendee's in post 897 (domestic) & post 898 (international).
Please post or PM your flight to serfty
Also both Qantas & Virgin have cancelled and/or rescheduled Cairns flights so worth checking your flights.
Free Australian ETA Visa application by Guy Betsy
Cairns general tourist information in post 11, including links to Platy's posts
Some links for Cairns weather in post 51. (its always warm and tropical )
________________________
Name Tags,
Once again falconea (Audrey) has come to the party and is organising name tags for all Oz Fest attendees.
Could everyone please have a look her posts #304, 305 & 455 and make contact if necessary to ensure that you end up with the correct name details on your tag. If your details were correct last year then no need to worry
_____________________________________________
6 :-::-::-::-::-::-: FTer's for attending all 6 Oz Fests
ozstamps
QF WP
_____________________________________________
Subscribe to this thread using thread tools (top of the page)
..
post 900 and post 929 (Saturday Hotel pick up) Please read.
Post Oz Fest
SYD Mini-DOs: 26-31 May 2009 hosted by Boxo
_______________
To be updated from time to time. Please PM error's & ommissions
Platinum - Confirmed (in order of confirming will attend)
- ozstamps SYD
- MargoOz SYD
- restlessinRNO RNO
- turtlemichael CNS
- turtlemichael_+1 CNS
- Itsalongwaydown Aust
- Sue Oz Aust
- Serfty MEL
- To Market to Market MEL
- lili USA
- falconea MEL
- Mr falconea MEL
- Platy CNS
- monitor NYC
- Franny NYC
- pooch SYD
- upup&away ORD
- Kiwiflyer AKL
- g-day SYD
- wijomas AKL
- tom911 SFO
- tom911's_friend # 1 SFO
- tom911's_friend # 2 SFO
- Where2next? DEN & AOK
- plusone DEN & AOK
- GreenFireFlyer SAN & LAX
- gvdIAD IAD
- JohnK SYD
- boxo USA
- Noelene MEL
- f0zzyNUE NUE
- kudzu AVL
- kudzu_+1 AVL
- Fredd SEA
- Mrs Fredd SEA
- Irwin8417 SYD
- anat0l BNE
- dyung SEA
- klc SEA
- Perthite PER
- Perthite_+1 PER
- BiziBB SYD
- Mrs BiziBB SYD
- chchkiwi LAX
- Spaceman VA, USA
- Mrs Spaceman VA, USA
- JohnSydney2000 SYD
- Efrem BOS
- gcff OOL
- Mrs gcff OOL
- QF WP BNE
- Mrs QF WP BNE
- mini QF WP BNE
- JerseyVics SYD
- magic111 USA
- LLM SAN
- ozbeachbabe DRW
- ozbeachbabe_+1 DRW
- Bundy Bear BNE
Gold Maybe
Silver - Interested
Bronze - can't make it
- kpc SYD
- kpc_gf SYD
- Wendyhamburger FLL
- AN_boy
- AN_boy_+1
- TIMP HBA
- littl_flier BNE
- flyingzzzd's OOL
- mww99 OOL
- Newself LAX
- Newself_SO LAX
- infoworks SYD
- QF009 MEL
- tuapekastar MEL
- Melville YYZ
- Mwenenzi MEL
- Freddie Jnr USA (His very own thread)
- SQ421 NSW, Aust
- luftaom SYD
- Heleno USA
- vysean AZ, USA
- Miles Dependent SYD
- Aus_Mal BNE
- Cholula Cal, USA
- Mrs Cholula Cal, USA
- NZ_Flyer DUD
- jimmc66 CNS
- Benny8444 BWI paid up but unfortunately did not make it to Au
Activities in post 380 (as organised by Itsalongwaydown)
How to pay for activities in post 459
Who is doing what in post 434. Would people please carefully check post 434 to make sure we have the activites correct, especially Sundays Great Barrier Reef trips.
Update on the Saturday Cruise in post 617.
Update on the Friday dinner in post 828 & post 901. $65 pay on the night.
Information on Hotel Central Hilton
Hotels: Who is staying where in post 435
How to get to Cairns in post 9.
Flight Itineraries of attendee's in post 897 (domestic) & post 898 (international).
Please post or PM your flight to serfty
Also both Qantas & Virgin have cancelled and/or rescheduled Cairns flights so worth checking your flights.
Free Australian ETA Visa application by Guy Betsy
Cairns general tourist information in post 11, including links to Platy's posts
Some links for Cairns weather in post 51. (its always warm and tropical )
________________________
Name Tags,
Once again falconea (Audrey) has come to the party and is organising name tags for all Oz Fest attendees.
Could everyone please have a look her posts #304, 305 & 455 and make contact if necessary to ensure that you end up with the correct name details on your tag. If your details were correct last year then no need to worry
_____________________________________________
6 :-::-::-::-::-::-: FTer's for attending all 6 Oz Fests
ozstamps
QF WP
_____________________________________________
Subscribe to this thread using thread tools (top of the page)
..
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jun 1, 2009 at 1:08 am Reason: regular update
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,885
How to get to Cairns:
More to come. PM suggestions or links
- Fly with Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin from within Australia
- Fly with CO from Guam, Air NZ from AKL, Jetstar from Japan, Qantas from Japan, Cathay Pacific from HKG or Air Niugini from PNG
- Train on the Queensland Rail Sunlander from Brisbane (prices from $212 OW)
- Drive from the south or the west
- Sail into the harbour from ??
More to come. PM suggestions or links
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Apr 25, 2009 at 8:48 pm Reason: update info & links
#10
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Original Poster
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Posts: 32,330
Jenbel had to re-set it on post 12:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...5&postcount=12
Thanks again in advance mods for getting the year right!
Glen
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,885
Cairns Information
Very good information from Platy (CNS Resident)
Packing for your trip to Cairns essential reading for all going to Oz Fest 6
Travellers tips for Cairns - the Regional Art Gallery post 605
Cairns Regional Gallery exhibition 1 (of 3) post 606
Cairns Regional Gallery exhibition 2 (of 3) post 608
Cairns Regional Gallery exhibition 3 (of 3) Art Rocks by Simon Poole post 609
Port Douglas information post 647
Hire car drive north to Port Douglas post 681
Shopping for a Lady in Cairns post 782 (not that sort of lady)
KickArts Contemporary Art - CAIRNS (by Holiday Inn) post 782
The Cairns Night Markets post 783
How to do the beachfront long lunch in Palm Cove (near Cairns) post 793
A note of the menu (Oz Fest 6 Fri Dinner venue) post 842
mini Trip Report Ba8 bar post 843
Mini Restaurant Review Norths (Oz Fest 6 Fri Dinner venue) post 845
Some Cairns web sites:-
Cairns & Tropical North Visitor Information Centre
FALL INTO TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND AND ENJOY NATURE'S PLAYGROUND!
Welcome to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef Region - your gateway to discovering the magic of Australias true tropics. Here, you can swim among the bright colorful fish and coral in the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, escape to a private tropical island, walk through some of the oldest rainforests on the planet and discover adventure awaiting in the diverse environments that make up wonderful Tropical North Queensland. Its the ultimate destination to enjoy spectacular natural beauty at its absolute best, and to find fun and adventure. Its also the perfect place to relax, be pampered, and enjoy the laid-back feel of the tropics. We welcome you to Change Your Latitude!
Cairns attractions From this web site:-
Tropical North Queensland in Australia is a holiday maker's paradise, bursting at the seams with attractions and tours that showcase this remarkable part of the world.
The city of Cairns has recently been renovated to enhance its image and provide a relaxing place for tourists and Cairns locals to congregate and have fun. Cairns Esplanade, once a huge grassy park, now features a world-class facility incorporating an outdoor amphitheatre, a large sandy swimming lagoon, grassy picnic areas, walking tracks, free public barbeques, children's playground, shops and restaurants, an environmental interpretation centre and a Great Barrier Reef Cruise departure terminal. But Cairns is only really the hub to the attractions of Far North Queensland
Cairns Australia Visitor Information
Cairns info
About Cairns
Cairns guide
Local news site (part of news.com.au)
From the Ports web site: The following links provide valuable information for those planning to travel the Cairns region, including fast access to tourism operators and local business informationUseful links to the greater FNQ region
webcam
More to come. PM suggestions or links
Very good information from Platy (CNS Resident)
Packing for your trip to Cairns essential reading for all going to Oz Fest 6
Travellers tips for Cairns - the Regional Art Gallery post 605
Cairns Regional Gallery exhibition 1 (of 3) post 606
Cairns Regional Gallery exhibition 2 (of 3) post 608
Cairns Regional Gallery exhibition 3 (of 3) Art Rocks by Simon Poole post 609
Port Douglas information post 647
Hire car drive north to Port Douglas post 681
Shopping for a Lady in Cairns post 782 (not that sort of lady)
KickArts Contemporary Art - CAIRNS (by Holiday Inn) post 782
The Cairns Night Markets post 783
How to do the beachfront long lunch in Palm Cove (near Cairns) post 793
A note of the menu (Oz Fest 6 Fri Dinner venue) post 842
mini Trip Report Ba8 bar post 843
Mini Restaurant Review Norths (Oz Fest 6 Fri Dinner venue) post 845
Some Cairns web sites:-
Cairns & Tropical North Visitor Information Centre
FALL INTO TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND AND ENJOY NATURE'S PLAYGROUND!
Welcome to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef Region - your gateway to discovering the magic of Australias true tropics. Here, you can swim among the bright colorful fish and coral in the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, escape to a private tropical island, walk through some of the oldest rainforests on the planet and discover adventure awaiting in the diverse environments that make up wonderful Tropical North Queensland. Its the ultimate destination to enjoy spectacular natural beauty at its absolute best, and to find fun and adventure. Its also the perfect place to relax, be pampered, and enjoy the laid-back feel of the tropics. We welcome you to Change Your Latitude!
Cairns attractions From this web site:-
Tropical North Queensland in Australia is a holiday maker's paradise, bursting at the seams with attractions and tours that showcase this remarkable part of the world.
The city of Cairns has recently been renovated to enhance its image and provide a relaxing place for tourists and Cairns locals to congregate and have fun. Cairns Esplanade, once a huge grassy park, now features a world-class facility incorporating an outdoor amphitheatre, a large sandy swimming lagoon, grassy picnic areas, walking tracks, free public barbeques, children's playground, shops and restaurants, an environmental interpretation centre and a Great Barrier Reef Cruise departure terminal. But Cairns is only really the hub to the attractions of Far North Queensland
Cairns Australia Visitor Information
Cairns info
About Cairns
Cairns guide
Local news site (part of news.com.au)
From the Ports web site: The following links provide valuable information for those planning to travel the Cairns region, including fast access to tourism operators and local business informationUseful links to the greater FNQ region
webcam
More to come. PM suggestions or links
Last edited by Mwenenzi; May 19, 2009 at 12:33 am Reason: update info & links
#12
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Posts: 32,330
Platinum - Confirmed
- ozstamps SYD
- MargoOz SYD
- restlessinRNO RNO
- Itsalongwaydown Vic, Aust
- Sue Oz Vic, Aust
- serfty MEL
- To Market to Market MEL
- kpc SYD
- kpc_gf SYD
- Tuapekastar MEL
Silver - Interested
- Mwenenzi MEL
- Freddie Junior Colorado Springs, USA click for FJ's own thread
YIKES!!!!
Go and make a sandwich and come back and see this!
And the USA is still sleeping pretty much.
Seems like Cairns will be a BOOMER.
Glen
#13
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,885
Included a few attendees who have not responded yet, but hey Serfty & To Market to Market already have flights booked from CNS as the last segments of a *ONE* ^
Last edited by Mwenenzi; May 31, 2008 at 9:08 pm Reason: spelling
#15
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
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Posts: 32,330
Mwenenzi - both Itsalongwaydown and serfty (and Sue and Jenny) are all 105% signed up for this I think it is true to say, after our chats in Hobart.
Both are probably glued to their TV's right now watching West Coast and Collingwood, as most folks are right now is my guess.
Glen
Both are probably glued to their TV's right now watching West Coast and Collingwood, as most folks are right now is my guess.
Glen