Centre of the Meetings Universe

There are so many creative ways to hold a conference
or special event in Australia’s largest city.

Follow this link to locate a >> conference or function venue in the Blue Mountains of NSW

For more than 100 years, the Blue Mountains has been a place to relax and refresh the senses, where the natural bushland and spectacular scenery thrills visitors. The 26 towns and villages comprising the City of the Blue Mountains are spread along 110 kilometres, climbing steadily higher until they reach Katoomba, the tourist centre of the region.

Options for conference groups include luxury resorts and historic hotels, with such examples as The Carrington in Katoomba and the Mercure Grand Hotel Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains at Medlow Bath restored to their former glory. There is also a growing number of eco-friendly venues located in the very midst of the region’s natural bushland.

Activities for groups include 4WD expeditions, orienteering, bushwalking, and abseiling. There is also a number of good golf courses in the area.

BIRTHDAY PARTY

In July, the Mercure Grand Hotel Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains, one of Australia’s most historic hotels, celebrated its centenary. The Blue Mountains landmark hotel is located in one of the best positions in the Blue Mountains, offering spectacular views over Megalong Valley.

One hundred years ago, it opened under the ownership of Sydney department store owner Mark Foy who had been influenced by the European spa resorts of Baden Baden and Carlsbad. The “Palace in the Wilderness”, it was then known, attracted health-seekers and the curious as well as a host of celebrities. In fact, Australia’s first Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton, never quite checked out (he died in the hotel during a visit in 1920).

The Hydro Majestic was the height of style and elegance for many years. It served as a convalescent hospital for soldiers during World War II and then began a long decline as social mores changed and people sought more modern surroundings. A multi-million dollar refurbishment in the late 1990s brought the Hydro Majestic back to its former glory.

TIME AFTER TIME

All guestrooms have been fully renovated and new suites added, while the public areas and conference facilities have been primped and polished to make it resemble a time-capsule of a former era. The Mercure Grand Hotel Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains now boasts 84 guestrooms and suites. Recreational activities include walking trails into the valley below, swimming, tennis and croquet.

The fine dining Darley’s Restaurant at the Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa has a new executive chef with the arrival of Hugh Whitehouse. Having attracted considerable acclaim at Milson’s Restaurant in Sydney, Whitehouse has consolidated the increasing reputation of the Blue Mountains as a food lover’s paradise.

Darley’s Restaurant, on the grounds of the Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort and Spa, was the home of Sir Frederick Darley, the sixth Chief Justice of NSW, and is more than 100 years old. It seats 80 guests in a timeless, historic ambience that still reflects the values of the nineteenth century.

TASTE OF THE MOUNTAINS

Ideal for conference dinners, Darley’s also has 2 private dining rooms and 2 private meeting rooms. After a long conference
day, there would be no finer treat than sampling Hugh Whitehouse’s signature slow-cooking dishes, utilising only the freshest local produce. An exclusive cooking school, fronted by Whitehouse, is planned for Lilianfels, which will make a great addition to teambuilding or spouse programs.

Doherty Hotels has purchased the former Leura Gardens Resort in the Blue Mountains. To be relaunched as the Doherty Blue Mountains Lodge, a $4 million investment will include the refurbishment of the 80 accommodation rooms, and the creation of another 48 suites, a conference facility and restau-rants catering for up to 250 people.

Set amidst 1.8 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens, the property overlooks the Leura Golf Club and is minutes away from Katoomba and such attractions as the Three Sisters.

An impressive way of getting a conference group to the Blue Mountains is by the historic 3801 Limited steam train. Up to 5 beautifully restored carriages, carrying a maximum of 236 passengers, can take delegates out of Sydney to the Blue Mountains in real style. A range of carriages is available including first class and tourist class cars, buffet and directors’ cars. Originally built in 1943, the 3801 is famous among train buffs as one of the last operating steam trains in the country.