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Oz Fest 15 Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia. USA Memorial Day Weekend May 25-27, 2018
Oz Fest 15 Sunshine Coast, QLD Australia. USA Memorial Day Weekend Friday May 25, Saturday May 26, Sunday May 27, 2018. There have been 14 successful Oz Fests so far - in Sydney, (twice) Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart Tasmania, Cairns, Adelaide South Australia, Darwin Northern Territory, Canberra in the ACT, Perth, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock/Uluru – “The Red Centre” in 2014, New Zealand in 2015, the Gold Coast, QLD in 2016 and Newcastle, NSW in 2017. Democracy rules supreme with all Oz Fest’s, and after discussions at Oz Fest 14 and several group emails with Itsalongwaydown, Ozflygirl747, serfty, QF WP, JessicaTam, and Mwenenzi Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, Queensland has been chosen. The location Noosa in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, of which, for the benefit of our overseas members is shown in the map linked below and is an easy 1½ hour (150km) drive north of Brisbane along the Bruce Highway. Connections to the nearest airport is Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) are plentiful from SYD and MEL. VA, JQ and QF fly into MCY. The May USA Memorial Day weekend seems very popular with USA based Flyer-talkers, and that is the weekend that was most favoured by far. We have bowed to that request, and again chosen that weekend - as we have for all other 14 Oz Fests. Around half the attendees are USA based at each Oz Fest. That public holiday in the USA is Monday May 28, 2018. Remember if you leave Australia on afternoon of Monday May 28, you arrive back in the USA also early morning on Monday May 28. A lot of time no matter where you live in the USA, to get back home, unpack, have an early night, and get organised for a day at the office next day etc. Having one central hotel location that most folks use, is a very large plus I always feel. And it gives the organisers some leverage to extract a great group booking deal, instead of 40 plus FT’ers being like Brown’s cows, and all doing their own thing. Oz Fest 05 Hobart (2008) had 40 members signed up - pretty amazing seeing only one attending was a local, Cairns (2009) saw 59 turning up - just beating out by 1 the then previous record attendance of any Oz Fest 02 (2005) in Sydney - 58 attendees. Adelaide (2010) was a little too big, with 75 attendees, but not all of whom were active FT'ers, causing some issues. The slightly less accessible Darwin (2011) kept numbers down to previous sorts of levels - 44. Canberra (2012) had 51 Platinum’s show up. Perth (2013) had a surprisingly large number of Platinum’s - 59 (an equal record number of attendees). Quite amazing given the cost and distance of attending for most. Oz Fest in The Red Centre (2014) attracted a few less Platinum’s, as airline access was very limited, and costs very high, but the 37 FT'ers that took this reality on board. Lots of them Americans - enjoyed the weekend, and were true Oz Festers, to get there and back. Oz Fest 12 (2015) right up in the Bay of Islands of New Zealand got a very respectable 41 attendees, after several last minute cancellations, and despite the rather remote location chosen for the event. Oz Fest 13 Gold Coast (2016) had 44 attendees. Oz Fest 15 Newcastle, NSW (2017) had 42 attendees, with many taking the train up from Sydney The weather for the past 14 Oz Fests has been in general, superb and sunny. Despite June 1st, being our official Winter start date. Even in Tasmania our most southern city, we were truly blessed with unusually nice weather. We all thought Canberra and Hobart would be a weather challenge for sure, but the Saturday and Sunday gave quite perfect weather. A common access account for the ad-hoc organising committee titled “Oz Fest (OzFest Organisers)” was approved by the Flyertalk Community Director, and the early informational posts here in this thread will show as that account, so they can be edited at will by those involved. Our ad-hoc Committee will be tracking attendees, and hotels, and flights, and activity sign ups etc in these early posts. These are incredibly time consuming to keep updated, and all attendees owe them a huge vote of thanks. :) Hopefully we can once again call on the falconea’s to be name tag/table tag supremos, and we are well on our way! _________________________________________________ Subscribe to this thread using thread tools (top of the page). Or just click here: Subscribe to Oz Fest 15 Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia |
Updated to post 405 and for PM's & emails to 05:30 26th May 2018 Au eastern time
Attendees -
Oz Fest 15 takes place in Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia on USA Memorial Day weekend from Friday 25 May 2018 to Sunday 27 May 2018 Please PM Oz Fest any errors & omissions or email:- ozfest at mail.com (NOT gmail) Platinum - Confirmed (in order of confirming will attend including PM & emails)
Gold Probable- Maybe Silver - Interested Bronze - can't make it
___ Note penegal’s real status for all FT & AFF do’s:- Copper - I won't know until the last minute as work may get in the way or I may have to fly to SIN or somewhere else for one reason or another or I just can't make up my mind. _________________________________________________ Subscribe to this thread using thread tools (top of the page). Or just click here: Subscribe to Oz Fest 15 Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia |
Activities & Who is doing what:
We have set up a web based reservation system to book and pay for activities. Click the Oz Fest 15 booking link. here The cost includes the Eventbrite fee of about $8.50~$9.00 per ticket We are using a different booking service this year. It does not allow us to ask your FT handle, so if we can't work out who you are we will send an email/PM (But Oz Fest knows most of you :p ) angra (as post 253) made a google map that reflects the information currently contained in posts 2 & 3. No promise of future accuracy but sharing in case others find it helpful: Link to Map Activities of attendees as this google doc link Click the activities tab. Friday 25th May. Casual drinks and dinner to be held at Zachary's Gourmet Pizza Bar Address:- 15 Hastings St, Noosa Heads. ** Start time 1800 for drinks and dinner at 1900~1930 There is no reserved seating for this dinner and it is strictly pay as you go. ** There are two Zachary’s. We are at the one in Noosa Heads NOT Noosaville Saturday 26th May. Day trip to Australia Zoo Bus pickup from Noosa Heads area around 0900 for a day trip to the Australia Zoo. The bus trip takes about one hour direct. This is a prepaid event with costs as listed below. Price includes transport by 3 or 4 ten seater buses. Using the smaller buses increases our flexibility and will allow for people who want to leave early or late and who may want to stop off at other locations enroute. Cost including transport and Australia Zoo costs would be: Adult admission: AUD $135 Pension admission: AUD $130 Australian Military/Veterans admission: AUD $120 Adult admission + koala cuddle and photo: AUD $145 Pension admission + koala cuddle and photo: AUD $140 Australian Military/Veterans admission + koala cuddle and photo: $130 Lunch at own expense within the zoo overlooking the crocodiles. Taking food into the zoo is allowed. Saturday Evening Dinner and drinks at Bistro C Address:- Arrive for drinks whenever you wish with Dinner at 2030. Confirmation for this is necessary though no pre-payment is needed. Pay your share at the venue on the night. We have a finite number of seats and may not be able to get extras. Order off the regular menu. Sunday Free day or something may be organised over the weekend. The Noosa Farmers market is open every Sunday at The Noosa Australian Football Club on Weyba Road, Noosaville between 6am and 12pm. They showcase some of the finest and freshest produce in the region. Have breakfast the market from 6:00 am. Just 900m from the RACV resort and 3km from the Sofitel. Farmers market directory Their is usually a casual dinner on the Sunday night for those staying Sunday night (self organised). post 234
Originally Posted by Oz Fest
(Post 29750750)
Sunday Evening 27th. Can people please indicate whether they will be attending Sunday evening.
The Noosa Surf Club is a great place for a casual dinner. It was to be the venue for Friday evening but is undergoing renovations and they were worried about the size of our party. With the lesser numbers for Sunday evening it seems like a good location. _____________________ Thursday 17 May to Sunday 20 May 2018. Noosa Food and Wine 2018. (Week before Oz Fest 15) Saturday 26 May Runaway Noosa Marathon and https://runawaynoosamarathon.com.au/ May put pressure on room rates & availability . |
Updated up to post 314 and for PM's & emails to 05:45 22nd May 2018
Hotels
There are many hotels to suit all budgets. There are no IHG, Hilton, SPG Starwood or Marriott chain properties in Noosa Hotels of attendees as this google doc link Click the hotel tab. Please PM Oz Fest any information, errors & omissions or email:- ozfest at mail.com (NOT gmail) ================= Airbnb, Noosa Heads
Anchor Motel Noosa, 223 Weyba Road, Noosaville. web site
Hotel Laguna, 6 Hastings St, Noosa Headsweb site
Islander Noosa Resort, 187 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville. web site
Macquarie Lodge Apartments, 53 Banksia Ave North, Noosa Heads. web site
Noosa Heads Motel 71 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads web site
Noosa Parade Holiday Inn 51 Noosa Parade, Noosa Heads web site
RACV Noosa Resort, 94 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, web site
Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort Hotel, 14 16 Hastings Street, Noosa web site
Private Accommodation =============== Accor has the most branded chain accommodation Noosa The previous Sheraton Noosa (Pink Palace) was re-branded to Sofitel (Accor) in June 2016. Sheraton Noosa as it rebrands to Sofitel There are apartment brands (Mantra, etc) spread around. The RACV Resort is also nearby, so beneficial pricing for the Victorian automobile club members (RACV), the other Aust state automobile clubs (RAC, NRMA etc) and USA AAA. Go to their website, went to the Specials tab, and were able to apply your RAC, NRMA AAA membership. https://www.visitsunshinecoast.com/Accommodation Noosa Accommodation Map, Wotif.com Noosa Booking.com Noosa |
Flights
Flights of attendees as this google doc link Please PM Oz Fest any information, errors & omissions or email:- ozfest at mail.com (NOT gmail) ++++++++++++++++++++ A bus service runs from Brisbane airport to Noosa https://www.con-x-ion.com/Bookings/A...rs?id=Brisbane https://www.airshuttle.com.au/ A bus service runs from Brisbane Roma St (train station) to Noosa Junction www.greyhound.com.au 2:50hr & ~$25 one way +++++++++++++++++++++ MCY Sunshine Coast airport http://www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au/ MCY local Transport options MCY Airlines & routes MCY flight schedules Updated monthly Sunshine Coast – Sydney 1 hr 30 mins 5 flights/day on average Sunshine Coast – Melbourne 2 hrs 20 mins 4 flights/day on average Sunshine Coast – Adelaide 2 hrs 40 mins 3 flights/week available Sunshine Coast – Auckland 3 hrs 30 mins 4 flights/week on average, seasonally between July & October Air New Zealand provides seasonal direct flights between Auckland <> Sunshine Coast. The 2018 season will commence Friday 6 July 2018, with the last service on Sunday 28 October 2018. |
About Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia (click on the blue links)
Renowned as one of Australia's, indeed the world's, most beautiful seaside holiday destinations, Queensland's Sunshine Coast region of Noosa is set on a headland and surrounded by stunning National Parks and golden beaches. Home to an excellent surf beach and a range of boutique shopping and fine dining options on famous Hastings Street, Noosa is a popular holiday destination with local and International visitors alike. (from https://www.travelonline.com/sunshine-coast/noosa) Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shire_of_Noosa Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noosa_Heads,_Queensland https://www.visitsunshinecoast.com/ https://www.visitsunshinecoast.com/Noosa-Heads/ https://www.visitsunshinecoast.com/Accommodation https://www.visitsunshinecoast.com/W...o/Things-to-do http://www.visitnoosa.com.au/ http://www.visitnoosa.com.au/maps https://www.travelonline.com/sunshine-coast/noosa http://www.hastings-st.com.au/hastings-st-map.html http://www.noosaeguide.com/ Noosa weather http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/noosa-heads.shtml Getting to Noosa a) By Air Connections to the nearest airport Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) are plentiful ex-SYD and MEL. VA, JQ and QF fly into MCY. (Was formerly known as Maroochydore Airport) Sunshine coast Airport https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Coast_Airport Airport transport options A shuttle bus runs into Noosa. https://www.airshuttle.com.au Sunbus' route 622 Sunshine Plaza to Noosa Junction serves the airport. Air New Zealand serves the city seasonally, with three weekly return flights from Maroochydore to Auckland. b) By Road An easy 1½ hour (150km) drive north of Brisbane along the Bruce Highway A bus service runs from Brisbane airport to Noosa (~$60 one way) https://www.con-x-ion.com/Bookings/A...rs?id=Brisbane https://www.airshuttle.com.au/ Col's Airshuttle bus service have now merged under the umbrella of Con-x-ion Transport. Con-x-ion are the licensed operators at the Brisbane Airport servicing the Sunshine Coast - Brisbane and the Gold Coast. We are a Brisbane airport - Sunshine Coast shuttle bus service providing friendly, professional, airport shuttle bus transfers between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast in Queensland 7 days per week DOOR to DOOR* and TRANSIT STOPS 7 Days a week our Brisbane airport bus transfers depart Noosa on the Sunshine Coast every 1 hour from 2:30am until 7:30pm, arriving Brisbane Airport every 1 hour from 4:30am. Last shuttle bus from the Sunshine Coast arrives at 11:30pm. Buses depart Brisbane airport every 1 hour from 5:30am until Midnight. Bookings are essential. www.greyhound.com.au Time 2:50hr & ~$25 one way c) By Rail From Brisbane Roma St the Sunshine Coast line goes to Cooroy and Eumundi. Then a 20 minute commute into Noosa. https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-you...ine-coast-line http://www.railmaps.com.au/routedeta...outeSelect=108 |
History Of Oz Fests click here for the map. SYD-SYD-BNE-MEL-HBA-CNS-ADL-DRW-CBR-PER-ASP-AYQ-KKE-OOL-NTL-MCY
Oz Fest 01: 2004 22 attended in Sydney [how it all started The very first] Oz Fest 02: 2005 58 attended in Sydney Oz Fest 03: 2006 28 attended in Brisbane Oz Fest 04: 2007 47 attended in Melbourne Oz Fest 05: 2008 38 attended in Hobart Oz Fest 06: 2009 59 attended in Cairns Oz Fest 07: 2010 71 attended in Adelaide Oz Fest 08: 2011 44 attended in Darwin Oz Fest 09: 2012 51 attended in Canberra Oz Fest 10: 2013 59 attended in Perth Oz Fest 11: 2014 37 attended in Alice Springs-Ayers Rock Oz Fest 12: 2015 41 attended in Bay of Islands, New Zealand Oz Fest 13: 2016 44 attended in Gold Coast Oz Fest 14: 2017 42 attended in Newcastle Oz Fest 15: 2018 40 attended in Noosa =========== 238 individual FTer's have attended Oz Fest 1 to Oz Fest 14 inclusive at an average of 2.66 per person. Repeat offenders at Oz Fest’s are about 80% with 20% newbie’s. As up to and including Oz Fest 14 14 :-: FTer for attending all 14 previous Oz Fests no one :( 13 :-: FTer for attending 13 previous Oz Fests QF WP restlessinRNO Serfty 12:-: FTer for attending 12 previous Oz Fests Itsalongwaydown Sue Oz JohnSydney2000 kpc 11 :-: FTer's for attending 11 previous Oz Fests Fredd Mrs Fredd JohnK ozstamps 10 :-: FTer's for attending 10 previous Oz Fests Bundy Bear Mrs QF WP spaceman upup&away 9 :-: FTer's for attending 9 previous Oz Fests chchkiwi gvdIAD MargoOz To Market to Market 8 :-: FTer's for attending 8 previous Oz Fests fifa kpc_gf jswong tom911 monitor Frantic falconea Mr falconea Perthite |
post 8 as a spare
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We will be there!
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Thank you for posting the location so we have time to stalk the elusive J/F award bookings!
Unless something pops up, I'm planning to be there to make my 2nd Oz Fest! |
Originally Posted by krazykanuck
(Post 28424676)
Thank you for posting the location so we have time to stalk the elusive J/F award bookings!
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Please post my attendance as platinum. John.
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Definitely interested. This would be my 14th Oz Fest. :)
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Please count Mrs. Fredd and me in! ^ :)
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Put me down as Platinum.
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