OZ Fest 2004
Mar 20, 2004, 12:06 pm
#107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,330
"OZ FEST 2004" - May 21-23 - SYDNEY
Reading through this thread I have attempted a rough listing of interest (in date order of expressing it!) which I will try and keep updated. ( *THIS UPDATE April 6* )
If I overlooked anyone, my apologies. Please email me or post here if you wish to be added, removed, or changed in category.
*DEFINITE*
Joh
ozstamps
chemist661
connex2me
QF WP
thadocta
cathanna
Any-Travel-Is-Good + 1
kawoh
Mwenenzi
franjelley
Kiwi Flyer
MRSTARALLIANCE
yyzprincess
OzTraveller
Dave Noble
ferrari
tmeyer
chrisreid
One Pass Lover
(21 starters!)
*DEFINITE MAYBES*
Spiff
Ski Adcock
Shareholder
willyroo
d00t
RichardMEL
KathyWdrf
*MAYBE*
tazi
DK_1KGal
Ldsant
chisinging
doc
RichG
michswiss
tinkybelle
prspad
------------------
Reading through this thread I have attempted a rough listing of interest (in date order of expressing it!) which I will try and keep updated. ( *THIS UPDATE April 6* )
If I overlooked anyone, my apologies. Please email me or post here if you wish to be added, removed, or changed in category.
*DEFINITE*
Joh
ozstamps
chemist661
connex2me
QF WP
thadocta
cathanna
Any-Travel-Is-Good + 1
kawoh
Mwenenzi
franjelley
Kiwi Flyer
MRSTARALLIANCE
yyzprincess
OzTraveller
Dave Noble
ferrari
tmeyer
chrisreid
One Pass Lover
(21 starters!)
*DEFINITE MAYBES*
Spiff
Ski Adcock
Shareholder
willyroo
d00t
RichardMEL
KathyWdrf
*MAYBE*
tazi
DK_1KGal
Ldsant
chisinging
doc
RichG
michswiss
tinkybelle
prspad
------------------
Last edited by ozstamps; Apr 5, 2004 at 8:59 am
Mar 21, 2004, 12:39 pm
#108
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: The usual for over 7 Million paid miles flown to date... My first paid flight was on a DC3.
Posts: 1,518
Please add me to the "Maybe" list... I might be able to move some "must do" business in Australia from August to May in order to attend... I love Sydney in the Fall!
Mar 25, 2004, 11:52 am
#113
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Francisco and Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 58
This sounds too good to miss! Being a relative newbee on FT, I would love to meet all the folks whose posts I've read with so much interest.
Just booked the tickets, so count me in
<b>ozstamps</b>, will there be an agenda for the weekend? Apologies if I have missed it in the long thread.....
Looking forward to seeing you all!
Chris
Just booked the tickets, so count me in
<b>ozstamps</b>, will there be an agenda for the weekend? Apologies if I have missed it in the long thread.....
Looking forward to seeing you all!
Chris
Apr 4, 2004, 12:38 am
#115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,330
Have added the 2 new confirmed members. ^
Re an itinerary for the weekend .. well if thread starter spiff ever firms up attending he can tell us.
If he does not make it along we will all muddle through nicely I feel sure.
Friday night will be a dinner of some kind, Saturday am looks like the Tarmac Tour, followed by a lunch out near airport area. And probably a Saturday dinner too.
And something for Sunday.
Joh was looking into posting a few suggested things to garner a response from those coming.
Re an itinerary for the weekend .. well if thread starter spiff ever firms up attending he can tell us.
If he does not make it along we will all muddle through nicely I feel sure.
Friday night will be a dinner of some kind, Saturday am looks like the Tarmac Tour, followed by a lunch out near airport area. And probably a Saturday dinner too.
And something for Sunday.
Joh was looking into posting a few suggested things to garner a response from those coming.
Apr 4, 2004, 1:58 am
#116
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honours Gold, KLM Gold
Posts: 574
Definitely will post in the next 72-96hrs specific info with tours/etc.
The bad news is that my mate John has sold his 40ft sailing boat about 10 days ago. He's got his eyes on a bigger one (50ft) currently located in New Zealand... Don't know if it will be here in time for Ozfest.... If so, we'll probably be able to organise morning/afternoon sails (10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm) on Sydney Harbour over the two days... Or, 2x full day sail (which is the best, but you must like sailing!)
- As a backup I'll look into sailing charters...
- Plus climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge... (don't count ME in, you'll have to do it on your own or with a group of others - I'll just supply the info).
- Or a day trip to the Blue Mountains or the Hunter Valley.
Can the 'definites' give me an idea what of the above they are interested in?
Earlier in the thread I posted info on Sydney etc. Here's a bump:
I’m sure that if there is an Ozfest in Sydney next year, some sort of a program will ‘evolve’. The following is just to ‘wet your appetite’ for this great city of ours…
Info on Sydney and surrounds…
The City Centre as well as the inner eastern, western and northern suburbs are all located on or near Sydney Harbour – its natural focus…
The exclusive Eastern suburbs offer much: from some of Sydney’s best shopping and dining in places like Paddington and Double Bay to the green expanse of Centennial Park, the sandy beaches of Bondi and Cogee and picturesque harbourside suburbs such as Vaucluse and Watsons Bay.
The Northern suburbs, renowned for their reserves, tree-lined streets, waterways and national parks such as Ku-ring-gai Chase commence just across the Harbour Bridge. A spectacular coastline stretches north from Manly to beautiful Palm Beach, providing many fine swimming and surfing beaches. Like Sydney Harbour, the peninsular area of Pittwater provides for great sailing/yachting, also into Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River.
The city’s urban sprawl has pushed west almost to the Blue Mountains, starting around 70km inland. The highlights of this vast region include Parramatta, Australia’s second oldest settlement and Sydney Olympic Park, the epicenter of the 2000 Olympic Games.
The southern region includes Sydney Airport, Botany Bay (where the First Fleet arrived in 1788) the beachside suburb of Cronulla and the glorious Royal National Park – known for its wildlife, walking trails and unspoiled beaches.
Further afield
Head to the Central Coast for beaches, waterways and national parks, then on to the city of Newcastle with its galleries, museums and historic buildings and glorious Port Stephens – famous for sandy beaches and whale or dolphin watching (seasonal). To the west of this, the tranquil Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s premier wine producing regions.
Just an hour or so west of the city, the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains region has something for everyone. From magnificent scenery, fine food and comfortable guesthouses to bushwalking, horseriding and challenging adventure sports.
Relax on the beautiful South Coast beaches, particularly around Kiama and Jervis Bay and visit the city of Wollongong. Inland, the historic Southern Highlands offer colonial architecture, antiques and crafts, charming towns and villages and the excellent Bradman cricketing museum at Bowral.
1-4 hour “Around the City” itineraries
- Visit Centrepoint for some shopping and continue to the deck at the top of Sydney Tower where you will see breathtaking views of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. This is a great way to get your bearings…
- Take a Sydney Explorer bus and cover the most interesting destinations in and around Sydney city (hop on/off service with commentary).
- Take a short morning tour of the Sydney Opera House, then enjoy a coffee break while watching the world go by at an Opera Quay or Circular Quay café.
- Take a scenic ferry ride across the harbour and spend a couple of hours visiting Taronga Zoo’s wildlife.
- Take another ferry ride across the harbour (cheapest unescorted tour and best close up views of Sydney Harbour bridge and the Opera House) and enjoy the seaside delights of Manly with its Corso and many cafes. There’s also the Manly Aquarium.
- Spend an hour or two admiring Australia’s sub-marine wildlife at Darling Harbour’s Sydney Aquarium.
- Ride the Light Rail to a number of unique city destinations including China Town, Darling Harbour, Star City, Sydney Fish Market, Paddys Markets and the scenic Inner Western suburbs.
- Cruise the harbour at any time; pick your own long or short, day or evening cruise.
- Visit one of Sydney’s excellent museums or galleries to discover something of Australia’s Aboriginal and European History. The Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Museum and Museum of Sydney are all highly recommended, as are the Powerhouse Museum and National Maritime Museum that are easily accessed by Monorail.
- Indulge in some of Sydney’s acclaimed shopping in the City Centre or The Rocks.
- Enjoy a walk around The Rocks, Sydney’s most historic region.
- Starting from the Sydney Opera House, take a scenic walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens to Mrs Macquaries Point – the harbour views are sensational. From here you can walk to the Art Gallery of NSW, then finish with a stroll along Macquarie St, home of the fascinating Hyde Park Barracks Museums.
- Take a Bondi Explorer bus tour around the Eastern suburbs. You’ll visit cosmopolitan Kings Cross, harbourside Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Watsons Bay, the beaches of Bondi, Bronte and Coogee and still have time to shop in trendy Paddington (hop on/off service with commentary).
- Head west on a RiverCat ferry from Circular Quay to either Sydney Olympic Park or historic Parramatta.
Traveling time/distance between Sydney and other cities:
Sydney/Melbourne: 1h25mins by plane (706kms)
Sydney/Brisbane: 1h30mins by plane (745kms)
Sydney/Cairns: 3hrs by plane direct (1,965kms). Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Sydney/Perth: 4hrs by plane (3,283kms)
Sydney/Adelaide: 1h50mins by plane (1,166kms)
Sydney/Darwin: 4h05mins by plane direct (3,148kms)
Sydney/Hobart: 1h50mins by plane (1,039kms). Gateway to Tasmania’s Natural Wilderness
The bad news is that my mate John has sold his 40ft sailing boat about 10 days ago. He's got his eyes on a bigger one (50ft) currently located in New Zealand... Don't know if it will be here in time for Ozfest.... If so, we'll probably be able to organise morning/afternoon sails (10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm) on Sydney Harbour over the two days... Or, 2x full day sail (which is the best, but you must like sailing!)
- As a backup I'll look into sailing charters...
- Plus climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge... (don't count ME in, you'll have to do it on your own or with a group of others - I'll just supply the info).
- Or a day trip to the Blue Mountains or the Hunter Valley.
Can the 'definites' give me an idea what of the above they are interested in?
Earlier in the thread I posted info on Sydney etc. Here's a bump:
I’m sure that if there is an Ozfest in Sydney next year, some sort of a program will ‘evolve’. The following is just to ‘wet your appetite’ for this great city of ours…
Info on Sydney and surrounds…
The City Centre as well as the inner eastern, western and northern suburbs are all located on or near Sydney Harbour – its natural focus…
The exclusive Eastern suburbs offer much: from some of Sydney’s best shopping and dining in places like Paddington and Double Bay to the green expanse of Centennial Park, the sandy beaches of Bondi and Cogee and picturesque harbourside suburbs such as Vaucluse and Watsons Bay.
The Northern suburbs, renowned for their reserves, tree-lined streets, waterways and national parks such as Ku-ring-gai Chase commence just across the Harbour Bridge. A spectacular coastline stretches north from Manly to beautiful Palm Beach, providing many fine swimming and surfing beaches. Like Sydney Harbour, the peninsular area of Pittwater provides for great sailing/yachting, also into Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River.
The city’s urban sprawl has pushed west almost to the Blue Mountains, starting around 70km inland. The highlights of this vast region include Parramatta, Australia’s second oldest settlement and Sydney Olympic Park, the epicenter of the 2000 Olympic Games.
The southern region includes Sydney Airport, Botany Bay (where the First Fleet arrived in 1788) the beachside suburb of Cronulla and the glorious Royal National Park – known for its wildlife, walking trails and unspoiled beaches.
Further afield
Head to the Central Coast for beaches, waterways and national parks, then on to the city of Newcastle with its galleries, museums and historic buildings and glorious Port Stephens – famous for sandy beaches and whale or dolphin watching (seasonal). To the west of this, the tranquil Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s premier wine producing regions.
Just an hour or so west of the city, the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains region has something for everyone. From magnificent scenery, fine food and comfortable guesthouses to bushwalking, horseriding and challenging adventure sports.
Relax on the beautiful South Coast beaches, particularly around Kiama and Jervis Bay and visit the city of Wollongong. Inland, the historic Southern Highlands offer colonial architecture, antiques and crafts, charming towns and villages and the excellent Bradman cricketing museum at Bowral.
1-4 hour “Around the City” itineraries
- Visit Centrepoint for some shopping and continue to the deck at the top of Sydney Tower where you will see breathtaking views of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. This is a great way to get your bearings…
- Take a Sydney Explorer bus and cover the most interesting destinations in and around Sydney city (hop on/off service with commentary).
- Take a short morning tour of the Sydney Opera House, then enjoy a coffee break while watching the world go by at an Opera Quay or Circular Quay café.
- Take a scenic ferry ride across the harbour and spend a couple of hours visiting Taronga Zoo’s wildlife.
- Take another ferry ride across the harbour (cheapest unescorted tour and best close up views of Sydney Harbour bridge and the Opera House) and enjoy the seaside delights of Manly with its Corso and many cafes. There’s also the Manly Aquarium.
- Spend an hour or two admiring Australia’s sub-marine wildlife at Darling Harbour’s Sydney Aquarium.
- Ride the Light Rail to a number of unique city destinations including China Town, Darling Harbour, Star City, Sydney Fish Market, Paddys Markets and the scenic Inner Western suburbs.
- Cruise the harbour at any time; pick your own long or short, day or evening cruise.
- Visit one of Sydney’s excellent museums or galleries to discover something of Australia’s Aboriginal and European History. The Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Museum and Museum of Sydney are all highly recommended, as are the Powerhouse Museum and National Maritime Museum that are easily accessed by Monorail.
- Indulge in some of Sydney’s acclaimed shopping in the City Centre or The Rocks.
- Enjoy a walk around The Rocks, Sydney’s most historic region.
- Starting from the Sydney Opera House, take a scenic walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens to Mrs Macquaries Point – the harbour views are sensational. From here you can walk to the Art Gallery of NSW, then finish with a stroll along Macquarie St, home of the fascinating Hyde Park Barracks Museums.
- Take a Bondi Explorer bus tour around the Eastern suburbs. You’ll visit cosmopolitan Kings Cross, harbourside Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and Watsons Bay, the beaches of Bondi, Bronte and Coogee and still have time to shop in trendy Paddington (hop on/off service with commentary).
- Head west on a RiverCat ferry from Circular Quay to either Sydney Olympic Park or historic Parramatta.
Traveling time/distance between Sydney and other cities:
Sydney/Melbourne: 1h25mins by plane (706kms)
Sydney/Brisbane: 1h30mins by plane (745kms)
Sydney/Cairns: 3hrs by plane direct (1,965kms). Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Sydney/Perth: 4hrs by plane (3,283kms)
Sydney/Adelaide: 1h50mins by plane (1,166kms)
Sydney/Darwin: 4h05mins by plane direct (3,148kms)
Sydney/Hobart: 1h50mins by plane (1,039kms). Gateway to Tasmania’s Natural Wilderness
Apr 4, 2004, 3:23 am
#117
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Anytown, USA
Posts: 48
The Grace Hotel
I just completed my first stay at the Grace Hotel in Sydney on Hilton points. It was a good selection. There is a lot of shopping just one block away.
The Blue Mountains were great. Hunter Valley was also great. Either of them would be a good selection.
I love to sail so that would be my first selection.
I will not land in Sydney until 5:05 P.M. and will be at the Grace Hotel on Friday May 21
I have completed the first forty seven days in the south pacific and it has been great.
Looking forward in seeing everyone.
The Blue Mountains were great. Hunter Valley was also great. Either of them would be a good selection.
I love to sail so that would be my first selection.
I will not land in Sydney until 5:05 P.M. and will be at the Grace Hotel on Friday May 21
I have completed the first forty seven days in the south pacific and it has been great.
Looking forward in seeing everyone.
Apr 4, 2004, 2:50 pm
#118
Suspended
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
Programs: Ephesians 4:31-32
Posts: 10,690
Good News, Sad News
My nephew just decided to get married in Florida in May, so it looks like we will be heading to Florida instead of Sydney for the party.
I can't tell you how sad this makes me--we have never been to Australia and even have first class tickets. It is possible that we might be able to rebook them for sometime later in the year.
Thank you Ozstamps and Joh for all you efforts in putting this together. I know Hunki was longing for a sail in Sydney Harbor. Just bad timing.
I can't tell you how sad this makes me--we have never been to Australia and even have first class tickets. It is possible that we might be able to rebook them for sometime later in the year.
Thank you Ozstamps and Joh for all you efforts in putting this together. I know Hunki was longing for a sail in Sydney Harbor. Just bad timing.
Apr 5, 2004, 2:36 am
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SF CA USA. I love large faceless corporations. And they cherish me in return (sometimes). ;)
Programs: UA Premier Gold/disappointed 1MM, HH Gold, IHG Plat, MB Gold, BW Diam Sel
Posts: 17,575
Bump me to "definite maybe"
I'd like a bump up in status!
Apr 5, 2004, 4:17 am
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,029
Sydney Airport Airside Tarmac Tours
Originally Posted by ozstamps
I went on a paid tarmac tour of SYD: (only major airport on earth to offer it AFAIK?)
http://www.airsidetarmactours.com/
<snip>
In the maintenance area there were all these 747s being scrubbed down. Guide pointed out a single flight to Europe via a cleaned plane burns many tons less fuel than one with a month of grime and dust etc on leading edges, and the quick clean costs a tiny part of what several ton of gas costs. A lot of info we would all find amazing.
Getting airside in a vehicle with un-restricted access all areas and an experienced commentator was amazing. They run these tours on 10am Saturday mornings, so if Punki and Hunki are leaving Sunday May 23, this would be a great thing to try and organise, if we book in advance. It runs 90 minutes so we can have Saturday lunch right after it is done
From those hoping to attend, please post here and let me know if this tour appeals to you and I'll try to book us some seats in advance. Price is $A30 per head. It gets down to $A24 pp if 15 folks book. If I start a thread on Qantas Board closer to the time, we may scrape together 15 interested bodies I feel sure.
From the Airside Tarmac web site
Sydney Airport Airside Tarmac Tours is an Australian first and possibly the first tour of its kind in the world. The tour brings the airport and its operations to the people by taking them inside the perimeter fence, or AIRSIDE at Sydney Airport. During the trip, the passengers visit all the points of interest, also getting the chance to view various jet aircraft up close and see the inner workings of this dynamic economic hub as it goes about its daily business.
The tours are for all sorts of people, from the General Public to schools, social groups and clubs, as well as companies. Our buses are air-conditioned and aircraft radio equipped which allows our passengers to listen to pilots communicate with the tower and vis-versa.[/i]
http://www.airsidetarmactours.com/
<snip>
In the maintenance area there were all these 747s being scrubbed down. Guide pointed out a single flight to Europe via a cleaned plane burns many tons less fuel than one with a month of grime and dust etc on leading edges, and the quick clean costs a tiny part of what several ton of gas costs. A lot of info we would all find amazing.
Getting airside in a vehicle with un-restricted access all areas and an experienced commentator was amazing. They run these tours on 10am Saturday mornings, so if Punki and Hunki are leaving Sunday May 23, this would be a great thing to try and organise, if we book in advance. It runs 90 minutes so we can have Saturday lunch right after it is done
From those hoping to attend, please post here and let me know if this tour appeals to you and I'll try to book us some seats in advance. Price is $A30 per head. It gets down to $A24 pp if 15 folks book. If I start a thread on Qantas Board closer to the time, we may scrape together 15 interested bodies I feel sure.
From the Airside Tarmac web site
Sydney Airport Airside Tarmac Tours is an Australian first and possibly the first tour of its kind in the world. The tour brings the airport and its operations to the people by taking them inside the perimeter fence, or AIRSIDE at Sydney Airport. During the trip, the passengers visit all the points of interest, also getting the chance to view various jet aircraft up close and see the inner workings of this dynamic economic hub as it goes about its daily business.
The tours are for all sorts of people, from the General Public to schools, social groups and clubs, as well as companies. Our buses are air-conditioned and aircraft radio equipped which allows our passengers to listen to pilots communicate with the tower and vis-versa.[/i]
Who else is interested ?
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Apr 5, 2004 at 4:24 am