AFF Gathering #13 in SYD on 18 - 20 October 2019

[mrsterryn]

As a local and never been to an event just wondering are some airport based ? Or all in Sydney not air port based lol

 

[Hvr]

As a local and never been to an event just wondering are some airport based ? Or all in Sydney not air port based lol

The only airport functions are the lounge meets on the way home. Otherwise we have a few events, meals and drinks, as various venues.

These events are a great way to meet fellow frequent flyers and are safe supportive environments for all members.

 

[mrsterryn]

The only airport functions are the lounge meets on the way home. Otherwise we have a few events, meals and drinks, as various venues.

These events are a great way to meet fellow frequent flyers and are safe supportive environments for all members.

Brilliant thank you for that

 

[wanderer_au]

I am a Sydney local so I guess I am a Gold for this (subject to home responsibilities with OH and rugrats). I went to an AFF dinner in Sydney a couple of years ago and everyone seemed very nice. Meeting the rest of you sounds like fun.

 

[support]

As a local and never been to an event just wondering are some airport based ? Or all in Sydney not air port based lol

The last time the annual gathering was held in Sydney, airside tarmac tours were still a thing, albeit inside a bus. I don't believe this is an option anymore, but obviously, if there's something aviation related that we can participate in as a group, there could be a preference to go that route.

This is one of the reasons why a local is needed to raise their hand and help with scouting venues for various dinners/activities. As a tourist, while I can fly in for the weekend to check the same venues, I seldom know what's actually good.

 

[Bazzi]

Platinum for me I think!

Any suggestions for hotels that won't cost me my first-born?

We don’t often stay in the city - too noisy for us and as we usually have a car, the parking is exhorbitant! Our preference is to stay at Mascot and usually the Pullman. Alternatively Felix which I think has the best plane spotting view aside from being in T1 or T2. Mascot has a train link to the CBD - approx 20 mins travel time to Town Hall. Lots of new hotels/apartments in Mascot, usually very reasonable and most within 15 min walk of domestic terminal.

As for the city itself, aside from the usual chains, we have always enjoyed The Grace - formally one of the Grace Brother’s department stores, Art Deco architecture, right in the CBD but one street back from George Street so a little quieter. Really enjoyed the new Sofitel Darling Harbour, particularly the Champagne Bar.

 

[Mattg]

I will be in Australia then and should be able to make it!

Colour me Platinum for this.

 

[Fifa]

I'm hoping to be able to attend. Please add me as Gold.

 

[CMA222]

Given this is the Harbour city I had a look at the price of a private harbour cruise on a small ferry with either BYO food and grog or supplied buffet food and PAYG grog but both are prohibitively expensive for a small group. There is then the option of one of the "set food menu - fixed price" type cruises but they usually involve many Asian groups and grog can be expensive. I can investigate a harbour side or Darling Harbour restaurant, that by definition will not be cheap. There is always something like Sydney Tower Sydney Tower Buffet Menu: delicious hot & cold dishes and desserts which has an an evening buffet and a view. What are peoples preferences and price ranges?

 

[support]

I can investigate a harbour side or Darling Harbour restaurant, that by definition will not be cheap.

The format has generally been a cheaper dinner venue on the first night (perhaps with pre-drinks at another venue), before a slightly more expensive dinner as the main draw card on the Saturday night. The nights can be switched around, but generally more people are able to come to the Saturday rather than Friday night. It's useful to have a private space so a speaker can be organised who doesn't interrupt non-group diners/the noise doesn't impact us.

For an idea of past prices, see this wiki. Prices listed are for the main dinner, that a speaker usually turns up to. The last Sydney gathering had a Mongolian restaurant on the Friday and a German beer hall on the Saturday, which wasn't well received as it was very hard to hear the speaker.

I don't think we necessarily need a harbourside restaurant, the most important aspects are a space we will not be disturbed (but also wont disturb others) and value for money. For instance, on the Gold Coast we weren't even in Surfers Paradise; in Hobart I think we were in an entrance hall, adjacent to the venue; in Cairns we were in a hotels conventions space; in Adelaide we were underground. Yet in all of those instances, the dinner and speakers went really well.

 

[penegal]

I'd suggest something like Lynn Shanghai could be good on the Friday. And it's BYO.

For the Saturday, we may need to accept a higher ticket price as the Sydney tax. Alternatives may be to look outside the city (e.g. Newtown or Northside somewhere).

There's always the Park Hyatt which is usually quite nice, but the price may be a bit high, with set menus over $100 a head, and drinks aren't cheap.

 

[cove]

Cafe Opera at the Intercontinetal in Macquarie Street has quite a good smorgasbord. I think it would be about $77 if we did a group. It is close to Circular Quay Station so no need to chase parking.
Sydney Cafe on top of Customs House has great food and views but can get hexxy price wise. For visitors to Sydney we do tend to take them there to enjoy the operating Harbour and evening views. Again this is adjacent to Circular Quay Station.

 

[Lynda2475]

I'm a local so colour me Gold, at this stage I have no travels planned that weekend.

Cafe Opera used to be good been about a decade since I was last, I'd avoid Sydney Tower.

Rather than a harbour cruise, id recommend a ferry to watsons bay (then drinks/pub meal at watsons's bay hotel) or manly - sure some of us locals can do commentary.

 

[support]

Rather than a harbour cruise, id recommend a ferry to watsons bay (then drinks/pub meal at watsons's bay hotel) or manly - sure some of us locals can do commentary.

That's a really great idea!

 

[cove]

The run to Watson’s Bay is something we do. Quite a pretty run in the Harbour. Is there a good food place over there?

 

[Bazzi]

The run to Watson’s Bay is something we do. Quite a pretty run in the Harbour. Is there a good food place over there?

There is Doyle’s Seafood Restaurant - very touristy, very basic service and expensive in my opinion.

The Watson’s Bay Hotel is hugely popular and offers some private spaces which might suit for a speaker event.
About Us - Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel

And I found Dunbar House in my search, have not heard of it but I know the owner group and they run very slick establishments closer to the city.
Dunbar House

While not quite ‘local’ living 150km from the city, I am happy to do some legwork and make enquiries.

I would think that for an evening event, a sunset trip over on the ferry would be great but bearing in mind that the last ferry back to Circular Quay is at 10.19pm. Perhaps just an earlier start to the evening event??? Alternatively, Water Taxis, bus, maxi cab could be arranged.

 

[RooFlyer]

There is Doyle’s Seafood Restaurant - very touristy, very basic service and expensive in my opinion.

And in my experience, when I went with someone who insisted on it!

 

[Lynda2475]

I would do Watsons Bay ferry trip as an optional activity late on the Saturday morning, with view to having lunch at Watsons Bay hotel, or those wanting something more casual can get take out fish and chips from Doyles (the takeaway at the back is more popular than the expensive sit down) and sit in park. Then a walk across the road up to the gap for views.

Those wanting to stretch legs could then get bus to Bondi (its 10 mins away), grab an icre cream or coffee then do the cliff top walk from Bondi to Bronte (20 mins) or continue to Coogee (about an hour), then bus back to the city.

That gives time to clean up before dinner. Watsons Bay is a pain to get home from at night.

If group choose a dinner venue in city say near the rocks or circular quay then visitors can get some night views of the harbour bridge and opera house after dinner. But then there is also king st wharf area, chinatown or surry hills with lots of food options good for groups. I would need to know likely head count and opinion on food types and budget to suggest best venues.

Other day activities can be a free rocks walking tour, then a walk across harbour bridge (or train to milsons point then walk back across bridge visit observatory then a pub for a tipple).

Or anyone feeling less like walking could always do high coffee at the intercontinental or high tea at sheraton in the park or qvb or swisotel.

 

[RooFlyer]

A group Bridge Climb as a possible activity?

 

[Lynda2475]

A group Bridge Climb as a possible activity

From memory bridge climb groups are limited to about 8-10 people, sunset is best one, as you see harbour in day and night. Expensive but it is nice to do, if you havent already, takes about 3 hours from check in to completion.