DECEMBER 2011 www.aant.com.au Worlds of fun A family adventure on the Gold Coast LIFT OFF Celebrate the launch of AANT’s new website GIVE A GIFT AANT’s got the perfect Christmas present AUSTRALIA’S BEST CARS Check out the 2011 winners Automobile Association of the Northern Territory Inc. We have a great tasting deal this Christmas Simply join or upgrade to Plus or Premium Membership before 24 December 2011 and you will receive a copy of ‘my family feast’ worth $59.95 (RRP). To join or upgrade, call 8925 5901, visit aant.com.au or visit AANT at 79–81 Smith Street, Darwin. Not valid when joining on the road, offer valid while stocks last. Your friend on the road. december 2011 President Robert Bradley Council Members Doug Phillips (Vice-President), David Booth, Graeme Buckley, Australia's Best Cars – 12 Daryl Manzie, Brian Measey, Suzanne Morgan, Mark Rowberry, Mark Sweet, Sharon Winks. General Manager Edon Bell Office 79–81 Smith Street DARWIN NT 0800 Postal Address GPO BOX 2584 DARWIN NT 0801 Phone (08) 8925 5901 Fax (08) 8925 5902 Web www.aant.com.au Email [email protected] 24hr Emergency Road/Battery Service Phone 13 11 11 Image © Autonews SMS Service for Hearing and Speech Impaired SMS 0427 131 110 Technical Advisory Service Phone 1300 661 466 AANT Membership CONTENTS Phone (08) 8925 5901 Email [email protected] AANT Touring Phone (08) 8925 5901 FEATURES REGULARS Insurance Enquiries 08 Website launch 04 Welcome Phone (08) 8925 5901 04 In brief Web www.aant.com.au 10 Buying a used car AANT Accommodation 12 Australia’s Best Cars 2011 05 Insight Phone (08) 8925 5901 21 Members’ Report 06 Membership: Christmas special ntmotor 28 Worlds of fun 16 Shopping Editor Marija Filipovic 30 Entwined with art 18 Approved repairers Email [email protected] 19 Show Your Card & Save Advertising HWR Media & Communications Phone (08) 8379 9522 Design COMPETITIONS Patrycja Whipp Mark Vincent 04 WIN Ugly Fish sunglasses Printer 08 WIN a model car Lane Print & Post 27 WIN an iPad 2 and car hire ntmotor is printed on environmentally responsible COVER IMAGE paper, manufactured under the environmental Management System ISO 14001 using elemental WhiteWater World, Gold Coast. chlorine-free (ECF) pulp sourced from sustainable, well-managed forests. ntmotor is printed using Image © Ardent Leisure Limited. vegetable-based inks from renewable sources and low-energy perfecting print processes. ntmotor is TM TM Disclaimer – No responsibility is accepted by the AANT for the accuracy of information contained in mailed in totally degradable plastic (TDPA ). TDPA advertisements in ntmotor. Publication of an advertisement does not constitute endorsement by the AANT of technology enables products made from polyethylene any product, nor warrant its suitability. ntmotor DOES NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED MATERIAL. (PE), to degrade when discarded. © Copyright Automobile Association of the Northern Territory Inc. All rights reserved. This material is copyright Don’t forget to recycle this magazine. under Australian and international laws. Except as permitted under the relevant law, no part of this work may be To find out more visit www.pneb.com.au reproduced by any process without prior written permission of and acknowledgement to the AANT. www.aant.com.au 3 welcome inbrief BY MARIJA FILIPOVIC 2011 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING EDITOR The Association’s 48th Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 18 October 2011 at the Mantra Esplanade, Darwin. Not too long ago, I came to the realisation The minutes of the 2010 AGM were confirmed and the Association’s Annual Report and Accounts that my trusted hand-me-down car was for the year ended 30 June 2011 were accepted. The Association’s President, Robert Bradley, probably not going to last me forever. read the President’s Report, which outlined operational highlights over the past 12 months and In fact, the sombre tone of my mechanic the challenges lying ahead for the Association. implied that it probably wasn’t even The Chairman announced the retirement of three councillors, each of whom then nominated going to last me until Christmas. And so for re-election. As no other nominations were received, the following retiring nominees were I entered the used-car market. For many, re-elected unopposed: buying a second-hand vehicle can be a daunting and frustrating experience. Robert Bradley However, it doesn’t have to be. Sharon Winks This edition, we explore the ins and Suzanne Morgan. outs of buying a used car and how to make sure you don’t get caught with a lemon. Turn to page 10 for details. We also celebrate the launch of AANT’s brand-new website. It’s packed with some 2012 AUSTRALIAN AUTO exciting new features and on page 8 we CLUB CHALLEngE and PRO AM outline some of these for you. We also look at Australia’s Best Cars, as AANT is offering members the chance to win one of two places available announced on 30 November. Check out to compete in the 2012 Australian Auto the winners on page 12. Club Challenge & Pro Am. If you’re after a summer getaway, we’ve got some fantastic options in this edition. Coinciding with the RACV Ladies Masters you will be part of a four-player team Take the family on an adventure holiday representing AANT, competing against the to the Gold Coast (page 28), or soak other motoring clubs of Australia. up a divine mix of art and wine in South Australia’s famous McLaren Vale region Not an AANT Member and would like to participate? Simply call 8925 5901 to join. (page 30). Quote RACV Royal Pines and we’ll waive As usual, this edition has plenty of the $40 joining fee. shopping ideas (page 16) – just in time for Christmas – member savings (page 19) To enter, pick up an entry form from the AANT Shop and post it to: and great offers. From savings on travel, to a free Christmas gift with the purchase AANT or upgrade of any AANT Membership GPO Box 2584 (page 6), we’ve got you covered. DARWIN NT 0801 or visit www.aant.com.au/royalpines Try your hand at our excellent December for more details. competitions too – you could win yourself Entries close 24 December 2011. Terms and conditions apply. an iPad 2 or free seven-day car hire. Safe motoring and happy holidays! WIN A PAIR OF UGLY FISH SUNGLASSES With polarised, anti-reflective and anti-scratch lenses, the Ugly Fish Monsoon Marija Filipovic sunglasses – as worn by Ugly Fish ambassador Andrew Symonds – are ideal for fishing, Editor boating and driving. The photochromic glass lenses automatically adjust to light and weather conditions and eliminate unwanted glare without changing the visual colour. For your chance to win, write your name, address and AANT Membership Number on the back of – or inside – an envelope and post it to: ntmotor Ugly Fish sunglasses competition Automobile Association of the NT Inc. GPO Box 2584 DARWIN NT 0801 Conditions: The competition commences 5 December with the last mail on 6 February 2012. Prize value in Australian dollars. Total prize pool is valued at $229.95. Entry is open to Northern Territory residents only who are members of AANT. The first entry drawn that fulfils the competition criteria will win the prize. The draw will take place at AANT, 79−81 Smith Street, Darwin, at 2pm 7 February 2012. The winner will be notified by mail or phone within 14 days of the draw date. The winner will be published in the March 2012 issue of ntmotor, published 13 March 2012. Prizes cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. The promoter is the Automobile Association of the Northern Territory Inc., 79−81 Smith Street, Darwin, NT 0800 ABN 13 431 478 529. 4 dec 2011 insight TOURIST PARK AND BY ROBERT BRADLEY ACCOMMODATION AANT PRESIDENT GUIDES For many, the festive season is associated Planning a summer getaway can be confusing, with parties, holidays, families and friends. especially with so many places offering you Enjoy yourself, but remember to plan best-quality accommodation with all the bells ahead and have a designated sober driver and whistles. So how do you decide? You’ll or a taxi for transport. find the answer in the AANT’s Accommodation With the strong Australian dollar, many of Guide and Tourist Park Guide. you will head overseas. When you are in the These are the only official guides to Australia’s AANT office to pick up your International star-rated accommodation properties and Driving Permit, talk to the staff about feature more than 14,000 places to stay. travel insurance – you may be pleasantly surprised with the quote. Pick up your copy of the Accommodation Guide for the members’ price of $4, or the As a lobby group, AANT and its associated Tourist Park Guide for just $3.50, from the clubs have an overall philosophy of ‘safer AANT Shop. drivers in safer cars on safer roads and at safer speeds’. While roads and vehicles are constantly improving, ultimately, drivers have to take some responsibility for their actions. With the Top End wet season starting, it’s time to ensure that you and your vehicle are ready. INSURANCE THE TERRITORY way On your vehicle, check: the lights, the Did you know that as an AANT Member, you can take advantage of your membership and battery, the tyre pressure and tread wear save up to 10 per cent on any eligible insurance policy with the Territory Insurance Office? (including the spare). Also check your wiper blades, since in most instances these will TIO can provide insurance cover for your home, contents, boat and investment property.