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Meat preferences for the Gathering Saturday night meal

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10th Anniversary Gathering 29th-30th April 2017

34K views 247 replies 42 participants last post by  BrizzyMark 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
New date for the 10th Gathering at Halls Gap will be the 29th - 30th April 2017

Hi all,

As May seems to be the favoured time of year for our gatherings, Drew and I thought that the week-end of May 5-7 would be a good time.

We are going to do a run up to Halls gap soon to check out the Kookaburra Hotel for the venue for the Saturday night dinner as the reviews that I have read have been very good.

The are quite a few options for accomodation ranging from camping, cabins to hotel/motel rooms, all within walking distance of the Kookaburra.

Halls Gap Caravan Park
Cnr School Rd & Grampians Rd

Aspect Villas
20 Valley Drv.

Halls Gap Motel
153 Grampians Rd

Country Comfort Country Plaza
141 Grampians Rd


We have stayed at Halls Gap Motel and the caravan park and have been happy with both.

Once again, thanks to every-one that managed to vote, now I hope we can live up to the last few :grin2:

Cheers

Sharon and Drew
P.S. I think the Kookaburra also has accomodation
 
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#2 ·
I'm booked

Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park
 
#5 ·
We are going to do a run up to Halls gap soon to check out the Kookaburra Hotel for the venue for the Saturday night dinner as the reviews that I have read have been very good.
We have been going there for the last 30 years although its been a while since we were last there. Every time we have been in or near Halls Gap we have eaten there. I'm surprised its a Hotel now it used to just be a restaurant. Consistently very good food and a generally pretty good wine list but like all places in Halls Gaps its always been on the $x side.
I might just tag along for this one. I'll see how things are looking closer to the time (thinking about doing a Route 66 ride mid next year).
 
#6 ·
The wife and I are thinking about spending a few days riding Tas next year, and the gathering in Halls Gap looks like a great mid way stop point from Adelaide. Saw the posts for the last gathering in Quorn earlier this year but we were just in the process of buying our bikes at that time, so not ready to ride at that time. Any objections to a couple of newbs to the forum attending?

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk
 
#9 ·
Welcome MR and MRS Gundog ! :)
if you are meaning riding Tasmania...you will need a few WEEKS, and then you,ll only scratch the surface.We did 2200ks over 10 days and it was only the beginning!
We hope to go back 2017/2018
Place is bloody addictive.
;) cheers, Paul and Dixie
 
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#7 ·
Objections? I should think not, in fact I think there is a rule somewhere that says its mandatory that you attend. Look forward to meeting you there
 
#10 ·
Faye and I have booked a cabin Stawell Caravan park. Plan A is for Faye to drive, she isn't a good pillion, and I'll ride the 15 minutes back and forth to Halls Gap. Halls Gap accommodation prices are higher than we are willing to pay. Lookin' good and can't wait to get back onto some of the lovely bike roads around the Gap.
 
#11 ·
2017 Gathering, Possible date change

Hi Every-one,

I'm very sorry to have to do this, but it seems I was given the wrong information, :furious:, Thanks Ang and Hugh for letting us know.

Drew and I will go up to Halls Gap on Saturday to find out about the best possible date.

Once again folks, I'm sorry to have mucked up your plans.

Cheers
Sharon and Drew
 
#12 · (Edited)
Sharon, Drew dont stress. You are the ones organizing from your end.

It is like someone being anal about a road trip and being at at point at a particular time:fineprint:. Doesnt always work out that way, specially when you ride with Stumps>:), you could end up anywhere:confused:. Thats what plans are for - changing. It is all about being flexible and going with the flow, specially this far out.:furious:

Dont put yourselves under any pressure. What is, will be.>:)

Cheers
 
#13 ·
Sharon, Drew dont stress. You are the ones organizing from your end.
Thats what plans are for - changing. It is all about being flexible and going with the flow....What is, will be.>:)

Cheers
Quite true Brettstrom1...it will work out a great event regardless SuziGirl66/Drew. Did I read somewhere that even the Mythical K1W1 is thinking of attending?

.... Doesn't always work out that way, specially when you ride with Stumps>:), you could end up anywhere:confused:.
Actually I have been working hard on my trip planning Brettstrom1...and if I may say so, the recent trip to the Kimberley coast in WA was an outstanding success...as per evidence of the group photo of us at the tip of Cape York. :sifone:
 
#16 ·
I haven't booked yet because I'm not a certain starter for a few reasons, but I'm heartened by the laid back attitude of those who've responded to the Hall's Gap date change --- be flexible, roll with it, go with the flow -- good stuff!

By contrast, in the Courier Mail this morning is the transcript of an SMS to members of the Bandidos, a "call to arms" just prior to the infamous Broadbeach brawl between the Finks and Bandidos in Sept 2013 that sparked the Newman government's VLAD (or anti-bikie) laws.

It states: "Hello brothers. This Friday night every member and probate (probationary member) must be at the clubhouse by 7.30 pm. Anyone who's late will be black-eyed and prospected (demoted). NO EXCEPTIONS. Those who are legal to ride must be on bikes. All members must be in club gear."

I think I know which group I'd rather be a part of.
 
#17 ·
Okay Ladies and Gentlemen, lets try again!

After going for a drive to the Gap today, the lovely ladies at the caravan park confirmed that the weekend of April 28 - 30 is free of any events, SO

New date for the 10th Gathering at Halls Gap will be the 29th - 30 April 2017 :)

Thanks every-one for your support, it means a great deal to us.

Cheers

Sharon and Drew
 
#18 ·
Accomodation Changed, I am Geriwerd Motel now See you people there and or somewhere between here and there.
 
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#20 ·
Hi Everyone,
I'm hoping that I'll be available and can get holiday leave from work for this event. If anyone is leaving from Brisbane, what date are you looking at leaving / returning / routes?

Cheers,
Mike
 
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#21 ·
Just to add to my last post,

Is anyone from S.E. Qld going? Any thoughts of riding a mix of dirt / graded roads and some bitumen back roads? Would like to keep off the major highways as much as possible. If I can make it I want to get the best riding during my time off work.

Cheers,
Mike
 
#22 · (Edited)
Here is a starting point for planning possible routes (ignore the fact it is in bicycle option, if you set it to travel by car Google maps plots tar only roads, it won't include dirt options.... bicycle option gets around that to include dirt. >:) ).
The map link should be showing you three suggested routes.. you can alter them by dragging the route to other places you want to go via.

To work out my travel time for the distance involved I use 70 kph average if the route is predominantly tar, or 60 kph if it has a bigger percentage of dirt.. it is not accurate, but gives a rough guide to the time a ride will take me.
I tend to take it easy on longer rides and when interstate touring... I keep it flexible, the only "time marker" to be hit is my arrival back home to be back at work when I'm due.

https://goo.gl/maps/JR5DPTKpkr12
 
#26 ·
Welcome along Strommer5, they are a great bunch of folk with heaps of information and help if you need any.
See you at Halls Gap :smile2:
Sharon and Drew
 
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#28 ·
Something more like this Richard? (switched to cycle mode, added in a couple of the places you mentioned - google let me add more to your original, don't know why it didn't for you - then dragged the route to get the other places you mentioned)
https://goo.gl/maps/HJs8mmgoZ5r

Google maps won't plot any dirt roads unless it is in cycling or walking mode... bloody PITA for we "adventurous" types. :grin2:

Your route looks interesting Richard, might use it myself to get there... would I be able to do all of it with my outfit?
Or are there bits I'd be better off avoiding?
 
#29 · (Edited)
There are a lot of road works between Wollongong and Nowra because of the road duplication but I guess that may be largely complete by the time of the event.

My route went through Braidwood and Captains Flat to Cooma I have not ridden that road but I believe at least some of it is dirt although just dirt road not trail riding.

Cooma to Adaminaby across the high plains is awesome.

After Adaminaby my route turns left near Cabramura and runs more east of yours to hit the main road about 5km west of Khancoban. It's spectacular road. All sealed fantastic views, you ride across two dam walls and no traffic. It is tight though no sweeping bends to grind the pegs on. I came down there in June about 18 hours before they closed it for the ski season with a mate on a BMW R1200RT. It was 4C with sleet and 50 metres viz. He didn't think it was as much fun as I did but he had not been down there before in the good weather.

The road from Whitfield to Mansfield is probably (IMO) the best motorcycling road in the country and a stop at the Whitty Cafe before heading south is compulsory. You will say Putty what after you ride it (head 3km east along a good dirt road half way along for great views from Powers lookout).

The route from Merton past Ruffy to Seymour may have some dirt depending on the actual roads taken but they are all straight forward dirt roads and nothing to worry about. I'm pretty sure Hughes Creek Road is dirt or was the last time I rode it.

I'm pretty sure everything from Seymour on is sealed unless you want to go exploring.

Don't forget to wave goodbye to the traffic lights in Nowra. They are the last ones you will see until some time after you head home from Halls Gap.
 
#30 ·
Hmmm, so a little more tweaking in order..

I used to hunt in the Strathbogie Ranges many years ago when I lived in Melbourne, used to go through Molesworth and Yark... the local cop that worked that area was dynamite on speeders. :fineprint:

And if I'm grinding pegs on corners I'm going to be seriously concerned... it will mean the sidecar is about three feet off the ground. :surprise:

At this stage I'm thinking of taking the sidecar, but may end up on the DR650, so dirt is ok if I come across it..

Thanks for the info and suggestions Richard.
 
#42 ·
Sad news,

Looks like it's now only a mild chance I'll get there :( An unexpected possible move by some of my family that time of the year, so the financial budget will be extremely tight, just have to wait and see for now .........

Mike
 
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#43 ·
Hey folks,
I've been in touch with Gariwerd Motel, and they have offered a deal for the weekend. It's a great motel with good atmosphere and brekky!! You'll need to book with them by phone though to get the deal.
Call Angeline and Tony on 03 5356 4445 and tell them you're with the Vstrom group and that Rev Ken sent you!!

A room for 2
a standard room for $120 a night including a continental breakfast
a budget room (rooms out the front a little bit more simple in decor but perfectly fine and recently refurbished) for $105 per night with no breakfast.

A room for 3
Standard room $140 (including continental breakfast)
Budget room $125 (no breakfast)

A room for 4
Standard room for $160 (including continental breakfast)
Budget room $145 (no breakfast)
 
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