Far From Staid

Great facilities and unique venues explode the concept
that a national capital has to be dull and boring.

Follow this link to find a >> convention centre in Canberra

In the early decades of the twentieth century, when the location for a new national capital was being hotly debated, little could the politicians know that a cow paddock in the middle of the New South Wales bush would prove to attract such attention. The location, midway between Sydney and Melbourne, was selected to defuse political rivalry but as Canberra grew it became not only a place of debate and legislation but a great location for corporate meetings as well.

Canberra is easily accessed by excellent highway systems from Sydney, Melbourne and other regional centres. Canberra Airport, just 10 minutes out of the city, services air links from around the country.

There are numerous reasons for holding events in Canberra. For the association market, it’s a rational choice while corporates also find it enthralling to base their conferences and meetings so close to where the national agenda is established. Yet, with its outstanding range of venues and facilities, politics is no longer the prime reason. Canberra shines in its own right.

The Hotel Kurrajong is a boutique 4½ star property with 26 accommodation rooms and 7 meeting rooms, the largest seating 80 people theatre style. It was built in 1926 and designed by J.S. Murdoch, the architect responsible for old Parliament House and the Hotel Canberra, now better known as the Hyatt Hotel Canberra.

It was originally built for Members of Parliament, public servants and the press. By the 1930s, the Hotel Kurrajong became a firm favourite of Labor Party members. Prime Minister Ben Chifley preferred the Hotel Kurrajong to the Lodge, as did John Curtin, Frank Forde and John McEwen. Recent renovations to the lobby incorporate some of the original Art Deco elements including a recreated frieze that was uncovered under a false ceiling in 1994.

Some of Canberra’s best known and most historic buildings and museums are available for meetings, functions and special events. As the seat of the Federal Government, Parliament House has immense prestige as a venue, with numerous options within its boundaries. There’s the Great Hall, an impressive dinner space for 800 people or 1,200 for cocktails, the Mural Hall for product launches and receptions, and the Senate and House of Representative Alcoves for smaller gatherings.

Old Parliament House was home to the seat of government from 1927 to 1988 and events can be held in the Members Dining Room, restored to its 1927 elegance, while the Senate Chamber is a great place for debates, speeches and presentations. Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, the National Gallery of Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport are other great options.

The ANZAC Hall of the Australian War Memorial allows up to 250 people to dine surrounded by some of the Memorial’s largest wartime relics including the spectacular World War II Lancaster bomber, G for George.

Hyatt Catering at the Australian War Memorial can arrange such a setting for a conference dinner, cocktail reception or launch. Guests are seated below the aircraft wings and the closeness creates a surreal atmosphere. Events for up to 200 guests can be staged around G for George with capacity in ANZAC Hall for 400 guests.

Improvements at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra include new carpets in the banquet areas as well as new chairs. The upgrade of the carpets and chairs in the banquet rooms follows the replacement of all carpets in the public areas carried out earlier this year.

New products in Canberra includes The Academy, a new nightclub and events space transformed from the old landmark Centre Cinema. It’s a multi-room entertainment environment including the ultra cool lounge surrounds of the Candy Bar to the Pod, a VIP room seating up to 30 people. In its entirety, The Academy can entertain more than 750 people.

The Auditorium is a new 1,000 square metre flat-floored multi-purpose venue opened in August as part of the Tuggeranong Valley Rugby Union and Amateur Sports Club, otherwise known as the Vikings Clubs. It is capable of seating up to 500 people for a gala dinner or 840 people theatre style.

Lovers of fine food and exceptional produce know the Poachers Pantry for its celebrated smoked meats as well as its Wily Trout Vineyard. The Smokehouse Cafe is a great place for corporate functions, seminars, planning days and cocktail parties for up to 100 people.

Goolabri Country Resort at Sutton is nestled amongst 97 hectares of picturesque bushland. Operating primarily as a conference centre, it has 20 self-contained accommodation units (including 8 spa suites), a 9 hole par 33 golf course, Linda’s Restaurant and a fully licensed bar. Delegate activities include tennis, billiards, table tennis, bushwalking and enjoying the heated indoor swimming pool.

Recently, the Homestead, the 40 square metre colonial-style homestead and conference centre, has been renovated to include 3 more accommodation rooms. Conference facilities have been upgraded to include the provision for video and teleconferencing.

The colossus that bestrides Canberra’s meetings community is undoubtedly EPIC, otherwise known as Exhibition Park in Canberra. Occupying some 88 hectares, it is the largest multipurpose events facility in the ACT and is just 8 minutes from the CBD. More than 300 events a year are held there, ranging from conferences and gala dinners to festivals, exhibitions and special events.

As varied a roll call as the Shannons National Motoring Tour Rally in 2001 with 2,700 guests, the 2002 and 2003 Woolworths National Conference Dinner for 3,000 delegates and partners, and the Jevovah Witnesses District Convention in July 2004 for 3,100 delegates give just a small indication of EPIC’s abilities. Next year, EPIC will host the Ulysses Motorcycle Club of Australia’s National AGM and Rally, which is expected to attract more than 6,000 participants.

EPIC’s largest indoor area is the Budawang Building, which measures 3,200 square metres and during Federal Elections becomes the National Tally Room. EPIC’s “epic” contribution to the ACT economy has been proven by an economic impact study by Hill PDA which revealed that during the 2002-2003 financial year, events held at the venue generated in excess of $173 million and provided more than 3,000 jobs.