Warbirds Downunder Tour 2024
8-day tour departing 17th October 2024, escorted from NZ by aviation enthusiasts
Kevin & Melanie Salisbury.
Including
2 days at the Warbirds Downunder Airshow
HARS Aviation Museum, Albion Park
RAAF Base Wagga Heritage Centre
Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Fleet Air Arm Museum, Nowra
Let us take you ……………………..
Tour Itinerary –
Day 1 – Thursday 17th October - Flight to Sydney - (meal in flight,D)
Meet & Greet 6.30am
Our flight to Sydney NZ103 departs Auckland at 9am, arriving in Sydney at 10.35am. We board our coach and head South to HARS and we will have our guided tour of the museum this afternoon.
From the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society’s first restoration, the Lockheed Super Constellation from the Davis Montham aircraft graveyard which was restored from almost nothing to beautiful flying condition, the collection has grown to include a parade of airliners from the “Southern Cross Replica” (a faithful replica Fokker F.VIIb/3m trimotor), three flying C-47 / DC-3 aircraft (one of which is the “Hawdon”, TAA’s first passenger aircraft), Convair 440, DC-4, Fokker F27 Friendship, the Catalina, two Caribou, three P-2 Neptunes (two flyable), AP-3C
Orion, CA-27 Avon Sabre, Canberra, two Vampires, Mirage IIIO, Winjeel, Auster J5G Autocar, Tiger Moth, Victa Airtourer and an F-111C, among others. The arrival of the Boeing 747-438 aircraft, VH-OJA, “The City of Canberra” was a defining event in the museum’s recent history.
This evening we have our welcome dinner at the hotel.
1-night Wollongong - Hotel Totto
Day 2 – Friday 18th October - HARS Aviation Museum - (B)
This morning we will return to HARS for some free time and then head across to Wagga Wagga for our three night stay stopping on the way to break the journey.
3-nights Wagga Wagga - The Lawson Riverside Suites.
Day 3 – Saturday 19th October - Warbirds Downunder Airshow - (B,L)
Our coach will take us to Temora today for the largest gathering of warbirds in the Southern Hemisphere which will once again take flight over Temora. This biennial two-day event is jam-packed with action, in the air and on the ground, making for a great weekend.
Both days are filled with a curated program of historical warbird flights. The program will offer an array of aircraft from trainers to jets. It will include the on-site RAAF 100 Sqn collection of working warbirds housed at Temora Aviation Museum, and many more rare and unique former and current military aircraft. Including:
The only flying Lockheed Hudson Bomber in the world, two of Australia’s flying Spitfires, the world’s newest fully restored Dragonfly ground attack jet, the oldest airworthy Tiger Moth in Australia, the only flying Canberra Bomber in Australia.
CAC Wirraway, Ryan STM, Kittyhawks, Mustangs, CT-4, Winjeel and BT13 trainers
This list is not exhaustive and is subject to change.
Our 2-day tickets are for the Harding’s Country Club Premium Marquee which includes -
• Premium seating inside and outside the Marquee
• Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea
• 4 hour beverage package
• Reserved Parking area
• Skip the queues with your very own VIP Entrance to the Marquee
• Harding’s Country Club Package includes Souvenir Bag and Cap
If you prefer a Grandstand Ticket, Photographers Pit or just General Admission this can be arranged subject to availability and costs adjusted.
Day 4 – Sunday 20th October - Warbirds Downunder Airshow - (B,L)
We return to Temora for another day at the airshow. Alternatively, you may stay in Wagga Wagga for the day.
Day 5 – Monday 21st October - RAAF Base Wagga Heritage Centre- (B)
This morning, we have a guided tour of RAAF Base Wagga which is the last remaining Riverina World War II base. It is the only place to see regional-specific Air Force memorabilia, including photographs and documents, which show the activities of the region during World War II and after. The Centre showcases Air Force history, and the significant involvement of the RAAF in the Riverina Region of New South Wales. Currently on display are a Mirage, a Korean War Meteor, a Vietnam War Canberra, a Macchi trainer, and an F-111C. The aircraft display represents over seventy years of RAAF flying history. Within the Memorial Gardens at the front of the base is a mural dedicated to the Empire Air Training Scheme and a replica of a WWII Chapel built at Coomalie Creek, Darwin in 1943 by members of No 31 Squadron.
In the afternoon we make our way to Canberra, stopping for lunch on the way.
Once checked in to our hotel, time permitting, you may like to attend the Last Post Ceremony at the War Memorial which is a short walk away.
1-night Mercure Canberra
Day 6 – Tuesday 22nd October - Australian War Memorial - (B)
After a leisurely breakfast we walk to the Australian War Memorial which combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. There are many galleries to explore including The First and Second World War, The Aircraft Hall, the Special Exhibition Gallery, the Orientation Gallery, and the Conflicts 1945 to Today. The Hall of Valour is the largest publicly held collection of Victoria Crosses in the world, displaying 76 of the 101 awarded to Australian soldiers. The Sculpture Garden has 25 memorials and over 150 plaques.
We have lunch at Poppy's Café, located on the Australian War Memorial grounds and then head off to Nowra.
1-night Quest Nowra – Studio Apartments
Day 7 – Wednesday 23rd October - Fleet Air Arm & Kiama Blowhole - ()
Dedicated to all those who served their nation as members of the Fleet Air Arm, the Museum seeks to tell their story through sharing its unique collection of aircraft, artefacts, and memorabilia.
In the early 1970s, a small energetic team of Navy volunteers started collecting relics from around HMAS Albatross, including five obsolete RAN aircraft, which became the foundations of the Fleet Air Arm Museum, established in 1974.
The Museum collection increased exponentially through the 1980s and the growing band of volunteers raised over $8m to build the Museum facility at the gates of HMAS Albatross, the home of the Fleet Air Arm.
Today, the Museum is one of the largest regional aviation museums in NSW, containing more than 30 aircraft and numerous aviation artefacts that tell the story of Australian Naval Aviation and the development of the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Air Arm.
After our guided tour we head North to visit the Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial Lookout which offers panoramic views of Seven Mile Beach and the National Park, as well as magnificent views of the southern coastline. The Memorial is in the shape of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's famous aircraft, the 'Southern Cross', with a plaque on display near the outline of the aircraft. It commemorates his historic and record-breaking flight on January 11, 1933, across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. Seven Mile Beach was selected for the take-off area as it allowed a long, smooth take-off for his heavy-laden aircraft. Next to the memorial is the Gerroa Boat Fisherman’s Club where we will have lunch.
Then it’s on to Kiama for a leisurely stroll around the lighthouse and famous blowhole which is the largest in the world. We finish our day at our Sydney airport hotel.
This evening is our Farewell dinner.
1 night Sydney Airport Hotel
Day 8 – Thursday 24th October - Flight home - (B, L in flight)
After breakfast we start our journey home departing on NZ104 at 11.50am, arriving in Auckland at 4.50pm.
Tour Costs in NZD
8 Day Tour including return Air NZ economy flights Auckland-Sydney-Auckland
$3995 per person twin/double share room
$690 single room supplement
Land Only joining in Sydney.
$3260 per person twin/double share room
$300 non-refundable deposit required on booking with full balance due by 17th July 23
For bookings after 17th July, the full balance is payable immediately.
The $300 deposit is refundable should the tour not reach minimum numbers.
Flight upgrades are subject to availability and will be quoted on request.
Pre-tour accommodation and domestic departure points can be quoted.
Please ask if you would like any variations to the above arrangements. We are quite flexible! You may choose a different return date. Costs are subject to availability.
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NOTES
Any changes to the flights need to be made as soon as possible as there may be additional costs on other dates as availability changes.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Tour costs - Tour costs are based on specially negotiated airfares on which special conditions apply, and on double/twin share accommodation. Costs are based on a minimum number of 15 passengers. For passengers travelling alone, a single supplement is payable, or there is the possibility of a same sex room share. If you cannot be matched, the single supplement is payable.
Fitness - A reasonable level of fitness is required to make the most of the museums and sightseeing. Due to the nature of some of our hotels you may be expected to manage a set of stairs; however, we will help manage your luggage on these occasions. Some hotels have showers over the bath.
Reservations and Payment - Your reservation will be confirmed on receipt of a non-refundable deposit of $300.
Final balance is due by 17th July or immediately, if booked after 17th July.
Changes to Tour Costs - Tour costs are based on exchange rates as at Feb 2024, and are subject to change. Airfares are based on group departures and taxes correct as of Feb 2024. Should these costs change, it may be necessary to make a
surcharge on the tour. Once full payment has been received, no surcharge will be made in respect of currency or fuel surcharges. However, changes imposed by governments, or their agencies are not covered by this guarantee.
Changes to Itinerary - If improvements can be made to the itinerary or circumstances beyond our control make it necessary to make changes, we reserve the right to do so.
|
Cancellation period |
Fees as a percentage of tour price |
|
Before 17th July |
Loss of deposit |
|
17th July – 17th Aug |
50% |
|
18th Aug onwards |
100% |
Cancellation refunds and flight changes - Notice of cancellation must be in writing. Changes to flights once ticketed will incur charges. After the final balance has been paid, the following scale of charges will apply.
Insurance - For cancellations, we regret that we are not able to make refunds against any unused part of the tour. It is therefore essential that you have sufficient insurance to cover your loss. We strongly recommend a complete and comprehensive travel insurance policy. We accept no responsibility for any loss caused by insufficient or lack of insurance cover.
Optional Return Dates - The international airfare on which this tour is based allows individual passengers to return independently on a space available basis.
Passports and Visas - A current passport with 6 months’ validity is essential. NZ & Australian passport holders do not require visas. Other passport holders will require a visitor’s visa. Non-NZ passport holders must be in possession of a re-entry permit. Passports and visas are not the tour operator’s responsibility, but we can help with these.
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