AFF Gathering #19 in ADL on 30 October - 1 November 2026

[admin]

Save the date! The 2026 AFF annual member gathering will be in Adelaide from 30 October - 1 November 2026.

This event will include welcome drinks on Friday evening, a winery tour to McLaren Vale on Saturday, and a more formal dinner with a guest speaker on Saturday evening.

All AFF members and their friends & family are welcome to attend. Most people usually fly into the host city on Friday afternoon, and leave on Sunday afternoon. Of course, if you're an Adelaide local, the flying part is optional.

You can read more about the planned activities, dinner venues and costs and post #2 of this thread.

There is a $5 registration fee per participant, plus the cost of any activities and/or meals that you choose to join.

If you'd like to attend, keep an eye out for updates on this thread - and feel free to post your status (see below for more info)! Once you've booked flights and accommodation, please also post your flight/hotel details in this thread!

For those unfamiliar with the AFF terminology:

• "Platinum" means your attendance is confirmed and you have booked flights/accommodation
• "Gold" means you're likely to attend but will need to confirm at a later time
• "Silver" means you're unlikely to attend at this stage
• "Bronze" means you're unable to attend.

The entire AFF team looks forward to seeing you in October in Adelaide!

---

Registrations are now open!
Please register & pay here​

 

[perk]

Platinum
Arriving 29 Oct at 1545 QF685
Departing 2 Nov at 1830 QF694
Staying at an AirBNB

Happy to join for the dinners and Friday drinks but will give the winery tour a miss I think.

Cheers

 

[admin]

Post #3 is updated to here.

 

[anat0l]

Is it far too late to get involved in this?

 

[Lowjhg]

Its a last minute yes for me.

Incoming on QF683 on the 30th Oct for me and outbound on QF738 on the 2nd Nov.

Staying at Sofitel

 

[admin]

Is it far too late to get involved in this?

Not too late yet, but the organisers are going to confirm the numbers and meal orders with the Saturday night venue tomorrow. There are still a couple of spots for the winery tour.

If you'd like to come and haven't yet registered, please do so by tomorrow!

 

[Aeolus]

Not too late yet, but the organisers are going to confirm the numbers and meal orders with the Saturday night venue tomorrow. There are still a couple of spots for the winery tour.

If you'd like to come and haven't yet registered, please do so by tomorrow!

Dear Admin, please add me in for drinks on Friday and dinner on Sat. I’ve just registered and paid. Thanks

 

[anat0l]

Not too late yet, but the organisers are going to confirm the numbers and meal orders with the Saturday night venue tomorrow. There are still a couple of spots for the winery tour.

If you'd like to come and haven't yet registered, please do so by tomorrow!

Thanks - registered and paid!

Just have to find a hotel.

Arriving in late on Friday night on QF1281 at 2120h - no choice, impossible for me to get time off in the afternoon and original flight that left with enough time to leave work was cancelled. So at best I can only arrive for any nightcaps, but I assume anyone who is on the wine tour the next day (like me) will be considering hitting the hay by then.

Departing on Sunday on QF744 at 1720h, to be followed by QF552 to get home.

 

[admin]

Post #3 updated to here - if you still haven't registered (or if you have a late additional +1) etc - please send a DM to @admin first

 

[QF WP]

I remember why I couldn't come now (but hadn't posted) - 29th is my sons birthday, so weekend of parties.

 

[anat0l]

I remember why I couldn't come now (but hadn't posted) - 29th is my sons birthday, so weekend of parties.

Someone has to be the bouncer

 

[admin]

Some of you have just received a private message from this account because we made a mistake with the menu for the Saturday night dinner. Unfortunately, some of the options that we previously had listed are not available.

The updated menu can be found in post #4 of this thread.

If you had previously selected a menu option that is no longer available, could you please reply to the message we sent you ASAP with your alternative selection.

We're really sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for understanding.

 

[CaptJCool]

Gathering Schedule

Here's an overview of the activities and dinners that will be held throughout the weekend. We will update this post with more details closer to the event.

Friday 30 October - Welcome Drinks

Join us on Friday evening for a casual dinner and drinks from 6.30pm at Seven Stars Hotel. This is a pay-as-you-go event and you can order food & drinks directly from the bar.

Saturday 31 October - McLaren Vale Winery Experience

Join us on Saturday for a memorable trip to two exquisite wineries in McLaren Vale. The bus will depart from Pullman Adelaide Hotel at 9.15am and return at 4pm - giving you enough time to rest and freshen up before dinner.

The first stop will be d'Arenberg, where our group will have a private hosted tasting experience in the d'Arenberg Cube. You'll get to try a hand picked selection of delicious d'Arenberg wines, and tour the Alternate Realities Museum.

We'll then head to Wirra Wirra Vineyards, where our group will enjoy a private tasting experience in the vineyard's original ironstone cellars - accompanied by bread, dukkah and olive oil.

This will be followed by lunch at Wirra Wirra's restaurant, Harry's Deli. There is a shared, seasonal set menu which looks really good. The restaurant will also fully cater to any dietary requirements - just be sure to let us know when you register for the gathering. Drinks and desserts are not included but can be optionally purchased directly from the restaurant with lunch.

The cost for this experience is $195 including bus transportation, all wine tastings and lunch.

Saturday 31 October - Dinner

As per past AFF gatherings, the Saturday night dinner is the main event. This year, it will be held at Astor Hotel from 6.30pm-10pm, where we have a private function room booked.

The cost for dinner is $70, which includes a 3-course meal. You will be able to select your preferred entree, main course and dessert when you register for the gathering. Drinks will be available to purchase directly from the bar on the night. (Note that this venue does not permit BYO, unfortunately.)

Sunday 1 November - Optional Activity

The organisers aren't planning any official gathering activities on Sunday, however some AFF members may wish to join the Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour tour from 11am-12.30pm.

This is a public tour with a maximum capacity of 30 people. The cost is $29 for adults. If you'd like to join this, please purchase your own ticket on the Adelaide Oval website: Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour - Adelaide Oval Tours & Museums Reservations

Following this tour, Im amenable to seeing the Ross Smith memorial right next to Adelaide Oval

Sir Ross Smith Memorial - History Hub

The Sir Ross Smith Memorial commemorates the achievements of aviator Sir Ross Smith and the first flight from England to Australia.

sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au

and then onto City Streets North terrace promenade wander


(with lunch at the Art Gallery cafe afterwards)

Restaurant

Restaurant

www.agsa.sa.gov.au

For those flying in/out of Adelaide Airport the Ross-Smith Vickers Vimy is opposite the Atura Hotel 50 metres or so from the terminal door. Well worth a visit for aviation fans

https://corporate.adelaideairport.com.au/vickers-vimy/discover/vickers-vimy/