gvdIAD

My attendance has become uncertain. I find myself in a job situation (one I sought and want to do) that may require me to attend 2.5 weeks of mandatory training right around Memorial Day before I would leave for a 9-month detail (possibly longer) in South Asia. Things aren't quite final yet - I need to pass a medical exam and 7 people have to sign off on the Memorandum of Understanding - but it's looking very much like things will work out. I'd also need to do a fair amount of "housekeeping" work in my current position and at home before I leave, and I suspect that would prove very difficult to complete if I'm out of the country for more than a week. That said, I still have award tickets booked to and from Sydney (but have no other arrangements in place) and may be able to squeeze this trip into my schedule (my ambitious round-the-world plans for OZ Fest and the NUE DO are almost certainly a no=go, but it's possible I could do one or the other). I'm hoping to have more clarity within the next week, but as things are now, I simply cannot make a firm commitment. I'll be sure to post to the thread when I'm able to make a final decision.

nomadic.relief

While certainly good news for you, I do not see this as good! I was quite looking forward to having a fellow lunatic doing both Do's. Certainly do hope you can make to one!!

JessicaTam

I will see you in NUE!

jswong

All booked (although flight to BNE on the Friday arrives 17:15 and will have a hirecar so may be a little late for dinner)

krazykanuck

We need to find this at the Zoo:

https://mashable.com/2018/05/07/john.../#jjKQG.ti5iqR

kirkwoodj

Bundy Bear

Be interesting to see which way this works out for you.I will be in Washington DC from 9 to 14 June so if you don't make it to Australia good chance I see you in Washington DC.

JohnK

Should be available either night.

krazykanuck

Any advice for what to do in between the end of the DO and when I leave Australia? Friday afterward, so I'll have a few days. Spend a couple days in Brisbane before heading back to Sydney? Cool with city or outdoors, and I don't (can't) dive. Any suggestions welcome!

Efrem

I enjoyed a day trip to Moreton Island off Brisbane after an OzFest some years back. IIRC, KathyWdrf was on the same trip. I'm not sure that's a good enough reason to choose Brisbane over any alternatives you're thinking about - after all, that's enough time for Alice Springs and Uluru if you've never been (I know you weren't at OzFest 11 there, but you might have gone some other time) - but if you end up picking Brisbane, it's a good way to spend a day.

Other than that, can anyone tell me why I keep torturing myself by remaining subscribed to this thread even though I can't go this year? I'll miss you folks!

tom911

Do you have any AA miles? Travel within Australia is 10,000 miles one way, so you could pretty much head anywhere in the country to explore. If you've never been as far west as Perth, I'd be tempted to head out there for a few days and you could easily sort out day trips.

I've done a 3 day tour from Alice Springs that included Ayers Rock, but if you're flying right into Ayers Rock be aware that hotels will be expensive. Probably best to sort out ground options there before you lock in any air travel. I'm back in Brisbane on Sunday/Monday then in Sydney Tuesday/Wednesday.

angra

there was some obscure remote outpost that @kirkwoodj recommended to me...

krazykanuck

Thanks maybe I'll pop down to BNE for Sunday (since I'm getting to Sunshine Coast on Thursday).

Thanks. I'm actually seeing workable Y and some J availability for 10k/20k via AA, or Y via Avios. Maybe do BNE-PER in Y and then do their J transcon PER-SYD since it's a lieflat. I've never been to Perth/WA. I've only spent time on the east coast. Ayers Rock looks neat but time consuming to get to by plane.

tom911

You can also get to New Zealand for 15,000 miles one way and there's a nonstop from Brisbane if there's seats.

kirkwoodj

I think you mean Longreach, mate.