Royal Victorian Aero Club -

29 April 2007

ECHUCA FLYAWAY PLANNED  

Mid-year Fly-away: Echuca
~ Winter Blues Festival ~
28th/29th July 2007

The RVAC Social Club invites you to join an overnight fly-away in the last weekend of July.  Non-flying partners are encouraged to attend this “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” excursion.  Last year 50 people attended in 10 planes & 8 cars!  It was a fantastic weekend!!!

Each year, in the last weekend of July, Echuca stages a Festival of Blues music.  Details are available at www.winterblues.com.au.

Although you may wish to go up on the Friday, the club excursion will travel to Echuca on the Saturday morning and return on the Sunday afternoon, offering various modes of transport:
• Planes ~ Echuca is less than a 90-minute trip from Moorabbin in a Warrior.
Last Light will be about 5:55pm local time.
• Train/Bus ~ V/Line offer a train service that departs from Southern Cross (Spencer St) station and travels all the way to Echuca… without switching to a bus this year!  A return ticket is about $50.  Cost & timetable to be confirmed.
• Automobile ~ Echuca is a relaxed four-hour drive from RVAC Moorabbin.  You could take your own car or hitch a ride with one of our affiliated members from the Phillip Island Auto Club or the Triumph Sports Owners Association for a car rally to Echuca. (Hitching will be co-ordinated by the excursion organisers.)
• Paddle-Steamer ~ Well… it won’t get you to Echuca from Moorabbin but on Saturday evening we will ride the PS Canberra to Morrison’s Winery for dinner.  $100pp covers the cruise, blues music on the boat & at the winery, excellent 3 course dinner, drinks and a bus back to town.  Attendance is not compulsory but it was the highlight of last year’s trip!!

Accommodation:
The recommended 3½ star motel accommodation is $70 per double ($60 single, $85 triple) at the
All Rivers Motor Inn.  They will allow 48 hours notice of cancellation, ideal for VFR pilots!
Tel: 03 5482 5677.  www.allriversmotorinn.com.  Quote the RVAC when making your own booking
and advise MichaelJRalph@Hotmail.com that you have done so.
You are free to make alternative arrangements.  The Echuca River Gum Motel is offering $89 per double or single; $108 per triple.  Accommodation closer to the Port tends to be $40~$50 more expensive, require 2-night bookings and is more difficult to cancel due to inclement weather.

Attractions:
• Saturday spit-roast lunch at the Great Aussie Beer Shed.  $20pp for entry & lunch.  Drinks extra.
• Beechworth Bakery (in Echuca).  Multiple free coffee vouchers will be handed out.
• Historic Riverport district to explore.
• Luxury houseboats open for inspection.
• Winter Blues festival with blues bands playing in the streets and at the pubs & clubs.
• Cruise on PS Canberra to Morrisons Winery for dinner (Group booking made by the RVAC)
• Sunday BBQ lunch at the Echuca Aero Club.
• Meet back at the Aerobar on Sunday late-afternoon for drinks & yarns.

Please advise RVAC member Michael Ralph if you are interested in joining this mid-winter escape to the Winter Blues Festival, Echuca.

Mobile: 0414 315 560  Email: MichaelJRalph@Hotmail.com