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Best Western Warby Lodge Motor Inn
don't know too much about this one, not a great deal of parking.
Ryley Motor Inn
of the four I've mentioned this would be the bottom of the scale I think.
The main reason I selected these four is they are all on Ryley St, within a minute walking distance from each other and the CBD.
As for wine tasting and what not, I highly recommend Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard (I work there lol) Cellar Door and Epicurean Centre. If you want to make it a large group lunch/dinner/whatever I suggest you book for the Epi Centre.
The Cheese Factory, Milawa Mustard and the Milawa Bakery are all recommended for a visit.
Oh, and it's the King River Cafe in Oxley, which is on the way to Milawa from Wangaratta.
If the qldlanders think the drive is too far, they could perhaps look at trucking their cars down together. Cut a deal with the transport company and get special rate or something. Find out if they can impound the cars until you guys arrive and pick them up. Otherwise we could sort out have a car delivered at each of the victorians houses lol
Mark-Winton is about 4 hours from Goulburn.It's about 110K across the NSW/Vic border.I realise it's a long way from QLD,but it's a very easy drive from Goulburn.Stay at Wangaratta and it's only about 3hrs 40 min from Goulburn-driving at the speed limit.
Cheers
Len
Based on Len's distances, I'm thinking delivery to either Canberra or Melbourne. That way I can get a flight in and out. Please let me know whether any members from either Melbourne or Canberra that can take delivery and store a car for 2days before and 2 days after.
Hmmm...Steve...you're not from Wang are you?...'cos if you are, I'd certainly suggest you might be ..er..."well-placed" to suss out accommodation options and social venues.
I think as we have seen in previous Nats, getting everyone together (a) on the track and (b) socially for meals and accommodation are the critical success factors. They are also the biggest logistical headache, but as long as venues are identified, then all participants can take on the booking taks to meet their needs.
Given the track occupies one day, there are plenty of options to consider around Winton -- not just Benalla and Wangaratta, but also Beechworth (great for the drive on Sudnay, anyway)
Anyway, I'll shut up....just an unsolicited stream of consciousness
Glad to see this progressing. Great to see some of the suggestions.
Len and I drove to Winton on our way to Wang after the Phillip Island cruise at Christmas last year. We got to Winton just on dusk, so couldn't make out a whole lot through the locked gates, but I've got a feel for the general location now and agree that Wang is an easy drive from there. It also seems chocablock with motels within easy walking distance of each other, so it seems a sensible option.
Given the difficulty of managing a single accommodation location (a la the huts at Wakefield) perhaps the way to get people together at this Nats is at mealtimes (i.e. dinner Friday night, dinner Saturday night, brekky Sunday morning). That way, people can manage their own accommodation and organise themselves to attend the convivial group meals. This takes some heat off the organisers - they just need to organise meal venues and the track stuff. It also reduces money management.
I'm sure many of us now know one another well enough for informal gatherings to also occur at other times as well during the period we're down (up) there - e.g. I'm thinking someone's motel room will become party central following the Saturday dinner . Alternatively, I'm sure one of Wang's pubs can serve as a venue for increasingly tall stories.
Mark
I'm sure there's an Airport at Albury-don't know the connecting flight situation from QLD though.Maybe we have a member in the area who could store your car-then just a hour's drive or less to the track.
Failing that,it may be easier [and cheaper]to get it delivered to Sydney-there must be heaps of car transporters coming here,and lots of members in the area.
The only downside is you have a 6 hour odd drive from here.....
Cheers
Len
The key thing about accomm and meals -- esp. in the evenings -- is to avoid anyone having to drive anywhere. That way people can kick back, and there is minimal temptation for unintended consequences
It is very easy to forget this, but it is a big risk issue to be addressed, so planning needs to bear it in mind (yes, I know I'm sensible, and of course so are you ...but what about...him? )
The key thing about accomm and meals -- esp. in the evenings -- is to avoid anyone having to drive anywhere. That way people can kick back, and there is minimal temptation for unintended consequences
It is very easy to forget this, but it is a big risk issue to be addressed, so planning needs to bear it in mind (yes, I know I'm sensible, and of course so are you ...but what about...him? )
Agreed Timbo. I suggest Wang be the base for accommodation and meals for that reason. I'ts a pretty compact kinda joint, with many motels and food venues within an easy stroll of each other.
It would be ideal if we can find a hotel big enough that will hold everyone. The next challenge will be getting numbers so we can book in advance.
skc
A "clubhouse" atmosphere is obviously the ideal but you've just pointed out the reasons why this introduces headaches for the organisers. To do it, you need very early firm commitments and history has shown us that it takes a while for this kind of thing to come together.
Happy to be proved wrong and hey, maybe OzRenesis is prepared to take the punt on making a group booking somewhere but I think it's where you drive, eat (and drink) that's most important, not where you sleep.
I am sure the last thing we will want is to see everyone split up over several kilometres with accommodation this can make socialising and may be indulging a bit cumbersome.
If there are several hotels within walking distance of each other then it may not be an issue.
I guess the key is to get numbers confirmed early and booking accommodation as options is small town can be limited especially if we end up competing with other events on the same weekend.
I am sure the last thing we will want is to see everyone split up over several kilometres with accommodation this can make socialising and may be indulging a bit cumbersome.
If there are several hotels within walking distance of each other then it may not be an issue.
I guess the key is to get numbers confirmed early and booking accommodation as options is small town can be limited especially if we end up competing with other events on the same weekend.
skc
I understand the point you're making but I wasn't kidding about easy walking distance. Forget kilometres - try metres.
Wang is too far away IMO. It is about 50km from Benalla and 40 from Winton. I have heard a doctor reach the Wang hospital from Benalla within 15 mins to attend an AMI, but that is another story.
I worked in Wang as an intern before, and my impression is that Wang is smaller than Benalla.
You are most welcome Tim.
Accom:
There are some examples here from Benalla. We will certainly contact some owners to get cheaper rates and pencil some bookings.
Last time I stayed at the Top of the Town motel, since the owner owns an FC!
I was talking to my mate Ross from Top of the Town motel in Benalla today about the Nats. He said it shouldnt be to hard to get accomadation that weekend.
Ross and Janet are big motorsport fans and they will look after us if we want to make a group booking. Ross also owns my old FC so he may even want to have a run
If anyone mentions that I recommended them Im sure they will give you a good deal.
If the organisers do want to get into sorting out a single accommodation venue, I suggest it be done ASAP so you can start committing people.
I'm presently minded to just book something for myself and the Sydney guys I'll be coming down with but I'm happy to give the organisers a chance to put something together first.
. Alternatively, I'm sure one of Wang's pubs can serve as a venue for increasingly tall stories.
)
to attend an AMI, but that is another story.
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