In The Never Never

The Outback is a vast and colourful enigma wrapped in mystery.
Conference organisers discover their own special magic within these ancient lands.

It's fair to say the Alice Springs Convention Centre has revolutionised the Northern Territory meetings industry. Since opening its doors in March 2002, it has held a steady stream of prestigious conferences and events. The MacDonnell Room, which skilfully evokes the genuine Australian outback, has a capacity for 1200 delegates or banquets for 800 and can be divided into three individual rooms.

Spectacular views of the MacDonnell Ranges are available through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls of the Centre. Groups often request dinners or cocktails parties outside in the Centre's courtyard.

In other Alice Springs news, the 140-room Alice Springs Outback Resort has been rebranded as the Novotel Outback Alice Springs. Located across the road from the Alice Springs Convention Centre, it is Accor's third hotel in the city. A refurbishment of the property has created an entirely new accommodation look.

A New Convention Presence

Plans are advancing toward the creation of a new convention and exhibition centre for Darwin. The Northern Territory's Chief Minister, Clare Martin, highlighted the importance of the Darwin centre for the local economy.

"A convention centre will increase the number of visitors to Darwin and the Top End, particularly during the wet - the traditional low season. There would be extra airline capacity into Darwin with the possibility of more direct links to southern centres such as Melbourne," she said. The Northern Territory Government has committed $100 million to the Centre, which will be the centrepiece of the $600-million Darwin City Waterfront development. Construction is expected to begin in 2005.

The proposed Darwin Convention and Exhibition Centre will incorporate a 1500-seat convention space and 4000 square metres dedicated to exhibitions. The total footprint of the convention centre would be about 10,000 square metres.

The Ghan Continues its Journey

Conference and meetings business into Darwin will be further enhanced with the completion of the Ghan railway link from Alice Springs. The Ghan already travels twice weekly between Adelaide and Alice Springs, and will provide a weekly service on to Darwin in early 2004. It has certainly excited enormous interest with more than $800,000 worth of tickets sold in the first four hours of sale for the inaugural Adelaide-Darwin services.

The MGM Grand Darwin has undergone a $10 million upgrade and refurbishment with the creation of the five-star standard Garden Rooms. Bringing the total number of guestrooms and suites to 107, the Garden Rooms feature marble bathrooms, spa baths and separate showers. A new luxury ultra-suite has been created, with the refurbishment also spilling over into the restaurants and gaming areas.

The Inter.Continental Hotels Group has rebranded the Carlton Hotel Darwin as the Holiday Inn Esplanade Darwin. It joins other Inter.Continental properties in the Northern Territory including the Holiday Inn Darwin and Kakadu's Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn. The Holiday Inn Esplanade Darwin features 197 guestrooms and suites and extensive meetings facilities including a conference room for up to 500 people. Situated on the Esplanade, the hotel overlooks Darwin Harbour and is adjacent to restaurants, shopping and the central business district.

>> conference & convention venues in the Northern Territory.