GV Pride (Shepparton) | Group trip to Sydney for Mardi Gras weekend | 4 Mar - 7 Mar 2016

Join us in Sydney for the Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade – an outrageous, unforgettable event … one of Sydney’s most loved celebrations! PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO READ ALL THE INFO BELOW - YOUR QUESTIONS MAY BE ANSWERED HERE. “As more than 9,000 people make their way down Oxford and Flinders Streets in a rainbow extravaganza of LGBTQI pride, hundreds of thousands of spectactors line the Darlinghurst streets to watch the glittering procession of exotic costumes and political slogans. Grab a spot on the sidelines to cheer as the Dykes on Bikes rev their engines at the front of the parade. Copy the dance moves of the Asian marching boys. See gay and lesbian police officers march alongside student pride groups, and Jewish and Arabic gays and lesbians. Perve on the queer lifesavers from Bondi Beach, and don’t forget to pay tribute to the 78-ers who started it all.” Be there in 2016! *** Please confirm your attendance today by clicking “Going” at the top of the Facebook page and/or then contact Damien Stevens (GV Pride committee member) to make a $150 deposit (NOTE: ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE). Additional weekly/fortnightly payments can then be made to finalise your booking OR balance MUST BE PAID IN FULL BY 14 FEBRUARY 2016. Prefer to pay the full amount up-front? Let Damien know on 0418511562 or gvpride@gvpride.org *** Accommodation Package (booked through GV Pride) *** 1, 2 or 3 Nights Accommodation at Vibe Hotel Rushcutters Bay (<10 minute walk from Parade route) with buffet breakfast included each morning: TWIN SHARE (1 King bed) GV Pride members $185 per couple; non-members $220 per couple DOUBLE SHARE (2 King single beds) GV Pride members $100pp; non-members $110pp (we can find you a travel buddy as there must be two people per room or you pay <$220 if you want a room to yourself) *** Getting there - four options: *** *** Option 1 - Coach (via Kalinski Travel Co.) *** Departing Shepparton 9am Fri 4 March, arriving Sydney 7pm (via Albury/Benalla); returning 9am Mon 7 March, arrive Shepparton 7pm (via Albury/Benalla), $220pp non-members, $200pp GV Pride members (early bird rate available, save $20pp). *** Option 2 - XPT train *** More info/bookings @ www.countrylink.nsw.gov.au *** Option 3 - Organise own flights and transfer *** Accommodation organised through GV Pride, and you book your own flights to suit your time of day preference and budget, and organise to get to Tullamarine and the hotel. *** Option 4 - You can drive to the hotel *** Drive yourself (and other people if you wish) to Vibe Rushcutters Bay and park at the hotel for $25< per night. Approx. cost for a Ford 4WD is $250; a Mazda3 Diesel is about $200. This puts the fuel & parking cost at between $280-$350. Sharing this between 4 people makes for a very economical trip to Sydney ($80-$100pp) *** PAYMENTS *** Pay via bank transfer: Westpac Banking Corporation (AU) Account name: GOULBURN VALLEY PRIDE INC BSB: 033254 ACC: 276454 Reference: MGYourName Questions? Please contact Damien on 0418511562 or gvpride@gvpride.org NOTE: The Mardi Gras PARTY is Sat night 5 March – you may attend this if you wish, but it will not be part of our official booking process … more info @ http://www.mardigras.org.au/ Looking for something to do on Sunday 6th March? Here are 4 of many options… 1. AAT Kings – Bondi Beach, Sydney Sights & Majestic Lunch Cruise Board your Majestic Cruises vessel at King Street Wharf 5 to commence a luncheon cruise. Dine on Sydney Harbour’s luxury 50 metre catamaran and enjoy a buffet lunch offering an array of fresh local seafood, meat and vegetable dishes, salads, desserts, cheeses and fruits as you cruise around Sydney Harbour. An informative commentary is included. Following your cruise, join your AAT Kings coach to commence an afternoon city tour. Tour through the historic Rocks area and take in views of the Opera House, Hyde Park, St Mary’s Cathedral, Parliament House and the Art Gallery. Stop at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Visit The Gap to enjoy the stunning views then stop at the world famous Bondi Beach. Re-join the coach for the return journey to Sydney travelling through Paddington and the exclusive Eastern Suburbs. Tour concludes at approximately 5.45pm, at which time hotel drop offs will commence. Departure Time: 12:00pm. Duration: 5.75 hours. Inclusions: – Hotel drop off. – The Rocks and Circular Quay. – Views of Opera House and Harbour Bridge. – St Mary’s Cathedral. – Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. – The Gap. – Bondi Beach. – Magistic lunch cruise. – Luxury coach travel. Meals: – Lunch. Not Included: – Hotel pick up. $145 per person 2. Sydney Opera House Tour Check in 10 minutes prior to departure. See inside the world’s most recognisable sails and experience this miracle of architecture and engineering. A work of art that came into existence against impossible odds, to become one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world. Working with new, rich audio-visual components, where images are projected onto the fabric of the building, your guide will take you on an emotional journey, engrossing you in a story to rival any opera plot with its dramatic twists and turns. Some 1,500 performances, from opera to circus, rock and cabaret, are staged each year to audiences of around 1.5 million. Departure Time: Every 30 minutes from 9:00am to 5:00pm Duration: 1 hour Inclusions: – Entrance to Sydney Opera House. – 1 hour guided tour. – Learn of the history of the Sydney Opera House along with details of the unique architectural design. – Visit the major performance venues. – Learn more about the dramatic world of Australia’s premier performing arts centre. $38 per person 3. Captain Cook cruises Sunset Dinner Board your Captain Cook Cruises vessel at King Street Wharf 1, Darling Harbour to commence a Sunset Dinner cruise. Travel aboard MV Sydney 2000 or John Cadman 2, and discover the magic of Sydney at sundown. Enjoy a 2 course Australian a la carte dinner onboard, including wine, beer and soft drinks. Cruise concludes at approximately 6.30pm at King Street Wharf 1, Darling Harbour. Departure Time: 5:00pm. Disembark: 6:30pm. Duration: 1.5 hours. Inclusions: – Cruise on Sydney Harbour. – Main Harbour sights. Meals: – 2 course meal of contemporary Australian cuisine. – Sparkling and still wines, beer and soft drinks. Not Included: – Transfers. – Spirits. $81 per person 4. Sydney Harbour Discovery This is the ultimate Sydney Harbour sightseeing cruise to discover and experience Sydney Harbour and its secluded beaches. The 3-hour cruise includes full commentary as well as an Aussie style BBQ buffet lunch. After lunch guests have the opportunity to disembark at one of Sydney Harbour’s secluded National Park beaches for a walk or to enjoy a swim with views of Sydney Opera House and the harbour bridge. Showers are provided once back on board. Departure Time: 12:45pm. Duration: 3 hours. Inclusions: – 3 hour Sydney Harbour Discovery cruise. – Informative commentary on Sydney and Harbour. What to Bring: – Comfortable footwear, weather appropriate clothing, a camera, towel and a swimming gear. Meals: – Full Buffet Lunch including tea and coffee. Not Included: – Hotel transfers. – Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages $87 per person If you are interested in any of the above options, please let us know how many people would like to book and we will be happy to check the availability for you. We hope to see YOU there!