By Kent Power

A glorious three-week IDPA International Fly-in visit to Australia has been planned for July 9-31, 2001, including visits to Sydney, the nation's capital at Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne, as well as famed Coober Pedys, Ayers Rock and Alice Springs, all kinds of sightseeing, museums, barbecues, parties and, of course, flying, flying, flying.

My wife, Morna, and I--both Australians who live in Arizona--will be your hosts for the entire three weeks.

Here is the itinerary:

Monday, July 9: At Los Angeles, California, board your evening international flight for Australia.

Tuesday, July 10: Our flight will cross the International Date Line and we will "lose" a day.

Wednesday, July 11: Arrive Sydney, Australia. At Sydney, pick up rental vans and transfer to the hotel in morning. Rest until after lunch. Explore Sydney Downtown by electric train. Points of interest at Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour, The Rock, etc. Welcome dinner at the restaurant. Ride ferry to Manly round trip after dinner and then catch the train to the hotel.

Thursday, July 12: Pick up rental aircraft and check in at Bankstown Airport, then fly to Camden Airport (tower controller booth) for lunch. Gliding and parachuting will follow lunch, and the vans will meet us there later.

Friday, July 13: Fly/Drive to Canberra, A.C.T. (Australian Capital) in the morning. We will meet the C.A.S.A. chief and have a brief meeting about Australian deaf pilots in the future. Afterward we will have lunch, followed by a tour of the Parliament house, museum, history, and a visit to Burbong Sheep Ranch to see sheep shearing demonstration.

Saturday, July 14: As above in Canberra all day.

Sunday, July 15: Fly/Drive to Melbourne/Moorabbin in the early morning. In the afternoon we will be at the Deaf Club for BBQ dinner.

Monday, July 16: Tour of Melbourne downtown. Famous Tram System, Museum, History. Perhaps we will also go to the Famous Penguins Parade. Later we will make two short trips to one or two airports and stop for lunch at one of our destinations. We will leave the Moorabbin Airport to see the display on the famous Ned Kelly bank robbery in the 1900s. We will have dinner at our hotel.

Tuesday, July 17: Fly/Drive to Adelaide/Parafield, South Australia, in the early morning. In the afternoon we will have a tour of Adelaide Downtown.

Wednesday, July 18: Fly/Drive to the famous winery at Barossa Valley for lunch and tour the winery. Afterward we will go to the Deaf Club (perhaps for a BBQ dinner).

Thursday, July 19: Fly/Drive to Coober Pedy, the famous opal mines and underground church and shopping mall. Overnight at hotel.

Friday, July 20: Fly/Drive to world-famous Ayers Rock for sightseeing and to climb on the rock. We will then go to Alice Springs for the evening and overnight.

Saturday, July 21: Tour of Alice Springs to see interesting places for half the day, then go to Tennant Creek overnight.

Sunday, July 22: Fly/Drive to Mtisa, site of famous copper mines. (Overnight)

Monday, July 23: Fly/Drive to Julia Creek, where we are all invited to stay for a BBQ lunch provided by the city of Julia Creek. (Overnight)

Tuesday, July 24: Fly/Drive to Blackall. Stop at LongReach to see Qantas Hangar Museum, Stockman's Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Center. (Over-night at Hotel Blackall)

Wednesday, July 25: Fly/Drive to Roma (Overnight)

Thursday, July 26: Fly/Drive to Archer-field, Queensland. In early morning and afterward, a tour of Brisbane. Hotel 2 nights

Friday, July 27: Fly/Drive to the famous Surfer Paradise to see and hand feed colored birds. Take tour of Surfer Paradise and go back to Brisbane for BBQ dinner at Deaf Club.

Saturday, July 28: Fly/Drive to Port Macquarie N.S.W. (8 hours driving.) Overnight

Sunday, July 29: Fly/Drive to Sydney early morning so you will have the day to explore, shop, or see the Australian wildlife.

Monday, July 30: Free Day! In the evening we will have the Sky Tower Restaurant or a Harbour Cruise for our farewell dinner.

Tuesday, July 31: Transfer to Sydney Airport for U.S.A. Vans will be dropped off there.

Goodbye, Australia!

General information for IDPA members traveling to Australia

1. Clothing: Be advised that you will need warmer clothing, as it is winter in Australia-temperatures range from 40 to 60 degrees F.
   
   
2. Luggage: The size requirements for your luggage are 24 x 15 x 6 inches, or 24 x 13 x 11 inches. Both the rental vans and the rental planes have a limit of one bag per person.
   
   
3. Passports: You are responsible for your own passports or visas and your own departure taxes.
   
   
4. Deposits: A deposit of $300 for your airline tickets, van rental (which is non-refundable) is due to Morna Power now. Final payment will be due April 16, 2001, prior to departure.
   
   
5. Vans: Just to remind you that those of you who will be riding in the rental vans will take longer than the rental aircraft to get from place to place, therefore you will have shorter periods for sightseeing. The vans will have to leave the hotels and motels in the early morning (approximately. 6 a.m.) for departure to another town. Please get in your "must see" sights quickly and be on time. Vans will save money. The rental aircraft are more expensive.
   
   
6. Hotels and motels: Some of the prearranged hotels and motels will pick you up at the airport by shuttle van. For other hotels and motels that don't have that convenience, you will need to call a taxi and the cost will need to be shared.
   
   
7. Air tickets: Your travel agent should set up your airfare tickets round trip. Please secure this with them.
   
   
8. Passenger insurance: We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance with your travel agent.
   
   
9. General: It will be Morna Power's responsibility to pay the fees for the hotel and motels, the rental vans, insurance, gas and oil. If money is left over on the last day, Morna will refund the money evenly throughout the group. Or, if we are short of money, you will need to pay extra.
   
   
10. Questions or problems: Just call Morna or Kent Power: TTY home, 602-243-6718; FAX home, 602-243-6958. E-mail: TNEKANROM@AOL.COM.