Please note online registration to the Delegate Tours has now closed.

Conference Delegate Excursions for 2017 AICCM National Conference

Thursday afternoon tours 

On the afternoon of Day 2 of the conference, Thursday November the 2nd, delegates will have the opportunity to participate in one of several activities. Three options will be on offer. These include two structured tours with organised bus transportation, or a relaxed bushwalk.

Booking is required for all tours and will close on 5pm Friday 20 October so that venues can be notified of numbers attending.

OPTION 1 – TOUR OF THE NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY, FAULCONBRIDGE  

The Norman Lindsay Gallery at Faulconbridge is home of the Magic Pudding and displays the work of artist and writer Norman Lindsay (1879-1969). The house is a beautiful sandstone cottage (now the main gallery) and is set on 42 acres, with magnificent gardens that boast beautiful statuary from the artist. The grounds also have the original artist’s painting and etching studios, preserved in the state they were left when the artist died. 

Guests will be provided with a guided tour of the painting and etching studios and have free access to the gallery, gardens and grounds. The tours take approximately 40-50 minutes. Devonshire tea is included in the cost for participants.

Time: Pick-up at 1:00pm to approximately 5:00pm – back in Katoomba
Pick up location: Conference venue, The Carrington Hotel,15 – 47 Katoomba St, Katoomba
Cost: $30.00 per person includes tour, Devonshire tea and round trip bus transportation. Please inform of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. Gluten-free and dairy-free options are available.  

(50 people maximum)
 

                                        

OPTION 2 – HIGH TEA AND TOUR OF THE HYDRO MAJESTIC HOTEL, MEDLOW BATH

Located in the township of Medlow Bath, The Hydro Majestic features art deco design and is an escape to the grandeur of yesteryear, with spectacular views of the Megalong Valley. The Hydro was recently restored and reinterpreted by a team of heritage experts, architecture specialists and designers, who focussed on respecting the Hydro Majestic’s 1920’s social history and heritage, while also modernising its facilities.

Your afternoon will commence with a full high tea experience in the exclusive Wintergarden Restaurant with the stunning Megalong valley panorama as a backdrop. What a treat! Following this, the tour will start at 3:00pm and take approximately 1 hour. After the tour you may also wish to explore the interactive history centre, browse the providore that showcases the best regional gourmet food and wine, or just take in the breathtaking scenery.

Time: Pick-up at 1:00pm to approximately 5:00pm – back in Katoomba
Pick up location: Conference venue, The Carrington Hotel,15 – 47 Katoomba St, Katoomba
Cost: $65.00 per person includes tour, Devonshire tea and round trip bus transportation. Please inform of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.  
What to bring:  Wet weather gear (umbrell/light jacket), as part of this tour is outside

50 people maximum

                                        

 

OPTION 3 – BUSHWALK IN THE FEDERAL PASS VIA THE GIANT STAIRWAY

For those keen on getting amongst the flora and fauna of the Blue Mountains, a bushwalk might be a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. Colin MacGregor from the Australian Museum has kindly offered to accompany the group in an unofficial capacity.

The walk will take approximately 3 hours going at a leisurely pace exploring the bushland and old mine workings in the valley at the foot of the cliffs on the southern edge of Katoomba. The descent will be on foot down the 1000 steps followed by a walk of 3 kilometres along the base of the cliffs below Katoomba Falls. If you like, you can return to the top by either the cable car or the even more exciting funicular railway. You can purchase this one-way ticket out of valley for $21 at your own expense which you pay for afterwards at Scenic World once you get up there. From Scenic World you can catch the local bus which comes every 15 minutes, or the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus back into the town centre (see offer below).

Time: Meet at 1:30pm – back in Katoomba by approximately 5:00pm
Meeting location: Echo Point at The Three Sisters bus stop. To get there, take a public bus from outside the Carrington Hotel to Echo Point/Three Sisters, but no. 686 operated by the Blue Mountains Bus Company or you could take the Blue Mountains Explorer bus. Cost: Depending on choice of transport before and after the walk. One-way ticket out of the valley $21. Explorer bus costs listed below. Opal Card public transport card cost approximately: $3.00/ pp each way.
Bushwalk prerequisites: The staircase is a combination of stone cut steps and steep metal staircases. A reasonable level of agility and sensible footwear with good grips is essential.

For those who do not want to do the descent on foot, there is the option of taking the cable car down and coming back up by the steep railway. The ultimate Scenic World experience ticket includes unlimited rides on the Railway, Skyway, Cableway and Walkway for $39 at participants’ own expense. This may also be an alternative to the walk in the event of bad weather.

16 people maximum

                                                    

 

 

BONUS OFFER – BLUE MOUNTAINS EXPLORER ‘HOP-ON-HOP-OFF’ BUS

Stopping at 29 different locations around Katoomba and Leura, the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus gives you the opportunity to explore the Blue Mountains at your own pace. Taking in Scenic World, Echo Point and the Three Sisters, the Everglades Garden, bushwalks, museums, shops and galleries,there is something for everyone.

For those for whom this is a first introduction to the majesty of the Blue Mountains, the flexibility of this option could be just the ticket. Or if you don’t have a car with you over the three days of the conference, it could just be a handy way of getting around the mountains!

The bus departs from Katoomba Railway Station at 30 minute intervals and has no restrictions. Just hop on and off as you please.

Frequency: every 30 minutes. First departure, 8:50am. Last Departure, 4:45pm
Stops: there is one close to the Carrington Hotel on Katoomba Street. See the timetable and map at www.explorerbus.com.au
Cost: $35.20 validated for delegates for the full three days of travel during the conference (usually $44 per adult for one full day!)

To take advantage of this special offer, simply take the voucher that will be provided in the conference delegate bag to the Explorer Bus shop front in Katoomba (next to Katoomba Station). A validated guide book (the ticket) will be provided at the discounted rate. Alternatively, delegates can present their voucher to the driver at any Explorer Bus stop, where they can purchase their discount ticket (cash only).