Oz Fest 14 Newcastle, NSW, Australia. USA Memorial Day Weekend May 26 to May 28, 2017
May 25, 2017, 9:50 pm
#318
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia 33% of the Year
Programs: QC Life, QFF Plat No 0010XXX, AA Plat 2 MM, Sinbad Blue, HHonors Dia., Marriott Titanium, IHG Amb
Posts: 423
Trains
I have just joined a train at Epping north-bound. Due at Hamilton around 4pm.
For "some" Newcastle trains, the first and last carriage in each 4 train set is a "quiet car". Most services are 8 carriages, ie two train sets, so 4 out of 8 cars are quiet cars.
Happy travels to everyone converging on Newcastle.
John.
For "some" Newcastle trains, the first and last carriage in each 4 train set is a "quiet car". Most services are 8 carriages, ie two train sets, so 4 out of 8 cars are quiet cars.
Happy travels to everyone converging on Newcastle.
John.
May 25, 2017, 10:42 pm
#319
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
May 25, 2017, 11:11 pm
#320
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oz
Programs: QF, AA, UA, AS, SW, CO
Posts: 443
Joys of the self employed .. late finish at work, missed check in by 9 minutes.. Now out of BNE 1845, into NTL 2015. Just in time for dessert 
Caught up a moment ago with John K, Mrs K, & little Miss K. What a sweetie!
Caught up a moment ago with John K, Mrs K, & little Miss K. What a sweetie!
May 25, 2017, 11:28 pm
#321
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oz
Programs: QF LTG, Velocity FF Red, HH Diamond, PC Platinum Ambassador, UA Nothing
Posts: 1,914
Sue oz, GrjApp, doug_westcott and myself are now checked in at the Crowne Plaza.
Hurry up the rest of you mob!
... and just when you thought it was safe I have name tags for everyone.
Hurry up the rest of you mob!
... and just when you thought it was safe I have name tags for everyone.
May 25, 2017, 11:40 pm
#323
Oz Fest organizers
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Australia
Posts: 259
May 26, 2017, 1:29 am
#326
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SYD, BNE and BKK
Programs: QF Platinum (OW Emerald), PC Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 1,029
May 26, 2017, 5:02 am
#327
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Shanghai (PVG/SHA)
Programs: SQ Gold, AF Platinum, AA Platinum (sadly, expiring soon), QR Silver, EK, MU, HU, PR, HO, OZ, KE
Posts: 685
Sorry to be missing this, but I do need a favour (if possible) from those going through SYD. I'm flying through SYD to HBA and will be in SYD on 30/5 morning. Stupidly I've forgotten about the Chinese holidays and to cut a long story short, I won't be able to get AUD from the banks here. Exchanging at PVG when I start my trip is subject to availability and incurs a fee of about 10 AUD for the transaction.
Would someone be able to have a look in passing, and tell me the exchange rate at SYD (TravelEx I guess? Don't know what's available there) for Chinese currency (usually listed as CNY or RMB) to AUD? I'm trying to work out which is the cheapest solution, exchanging at PVG or SYD, or withdrawing from ATMs (lots of fees as well) in Tasmania. I'm not going into any big cities till 4-5 days later, and UnionPay cards aren't very useful for EFTPOS.
Many thanks to whomever can help! Also happy to meet up if anyone will be in SYD or MEL when I'm there.
Would someone be able to have a look in passing, and tell me the exchange rate at SYD (TravelEx I guess? Don't know what's available there) for Chinese currency (usually listed as CNY or RMB) to AUD? I'm trying to work out which is the cheapest solution, exchanging at PVG or SYD, or withdrawing from ATMs (lots of fees as well) in Tasmania. I'm not going into any big cities till 4-5 days later, and UnionPay cards aren't very useful for EFTPOS.
Many thanks to whomever can help! Also happy to meet up if anyone will be in SYD or MEL when I'm there.
May 26, 2017, 6:00 am
#328
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: w/+1: AS MVPG; IHG/Marriott Plat; Hilton/BW Diamond; Hertz Prez; SG Silver
Posts: 1,188
Sorry to be missing this, but I do need a favour (if possible) from those going through SYD. I'm flying through SYD to HBA and will be in SYD on 30/5 morning. Stupidly I've forgotten about the Chinese holidays and to cut a long story short, I won't be able to get AUD from the banks here. Exchanging at PVG when I start my trip is subject to availability and incurs a fee of about 10 AUD for the transaction.
Would someone be able to have a look in passing, and tell me the exchange rate at SYD (TravelEx I guess? Don't know what's available there) for Chinese currency (usually listed as CNY or RMB) to AUD? I'm trying to work out which is the cheapest solution, exchanging at PVG or SYD, or withdrawing from ATMs (lots of fees as well) in Tasmania. I'm not going into any big cities till 4-5 days later, and UnionPay cards aren't very useful for EFTPOS.
Many thanks to whomever can help! Also happy to meet up if anyone will be in SYD or MEL when I'm there.
Would someone be able to have a look in passing, and tell me the exchange rate at SYD (TravelEx I guess? Don't know what's available there) for Chinese currency (usually listed as CNY or RMB) to AUD? I'm trying to work out which is the cheapest solution, exchanging at PVG or SYD, or withdrawing from ATMs (lots of fees as well) in Tasmania. I'm not going into any big cities till 4-5 days later, and UnionPay cards aren't very useful for EFTPOS.
Many thanks to whomever can help! Also happy to meet up if anyone will be in SYD or MEL when I'm there.
May 26, 2017, 6:49 am
#329
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Shanghai (PVG/SHA)
Programs: SQ Gold, AF Platinum, AA Platinum (sadly, expiring soon), QR Silver, EK, MU, HU, PR, HO, OZ, KE
Posts: 685
That looks like a VERY GOOD rate, actually. With the amount I plan to exchange, it looks like only about 10 AUD less than what I see on xe.com (which gives middle rates). Are there any fees involved?
I don't think it's likely that I can get a fee-free ATM card in China...
I don't think it's likely that I can get a fee-free ATM card in China...
May 26, 2017, 7:55 am
#330
Oz Fest organizers
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Australia
Posts: 259
SATURDAY, MAY 27, 2017 ***Times are approximate only and will be confirmed closer to the date.
One, (1), 57 Seat Semi Coach
0930hrs Collect Newcastle -- Crowne Plaza
Transfer to Hunter Valley Wine Country
1045hrs McGuigans Wines
1150hrs Goldfish Bar or Hope Estate lunch see menu below 1400hrs Tyrrells Vineyard (tour included)
1500hrs Tamburlaine Wines
1600hrs Depart and return to Newcastle
1715hrs Arrive Newcastle -- Drop at Crowne Plaza
COST $90.00 per person @ Goldfish Bar/ Hope Estate based on a min 30 guests
Includes coach travel, tasting charges & lunch
One, (1), 57 Seat Semi Coach
0930hrs Collect Newcastle -- Crowne Plaza
Transfer to Hunter Valley Wine Country
1045hrs McGuigans Wines
1150hrs Goldfish Bar or Hope Estate lunch see menu below 1400hrs Tyrrells Vineyard (tour included)
1500hrs Tamburlaine Wines
1600hrs Depart and return to Newcastle
1715hrs Arrive Newcastle -- Drop at Crowne Plaza
COST $90.00 per person @ Goldfish Bar/ Hope Estate based on a min 30 guests
Includes coach travel, tasting charges & lunch
Start time is now 30 min later so the bus will be leaving at 1000 so please be ready at the CP at 0945. Arrival back in the afternoon is also 30 minutes later.
Not sure where/how the error occurred but these are now the corrected times:
One, (1), 57 Seat Semi Coach
1000hrs Collect Newcastle -- Crowne Plaza
Transfer to Hunter Valley Wine Country
1115hrs Tyrrells Vineyard (tour included) - Scott
1230hrs Free time at Roche Estate, Smelly Cheese shop & Gelato Bar
1300hrs Goldfish Bar lunch - Pizza Menu - Nicola
1400hrs Tamburlaine Wines - Glen
1500hrs McGuigans Wines - Cath
1630hrs Depart and return to Newcastle
1745hrs Arrive Newcastle