New Directions

Once better known for its heavy industry,
it’s the corporate meetings industry that is now powering the Hunter Region’s economy.

The Hunter Region covers one of Australia’s best-known wine districts and one of its oldest cities. An important region for conferences and corporate events, a prime reason for its appeal is its ease of access. Newcastle has 2 airports which are serviced daily by Virgin Blue, QantasLink and Jetstar, with flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, the Gold Coast and many regional centres. A freeway links Newcastle and the Hunter Valley with Sydney.

Aside from the corporate attractions of good international class hotels and conference centres, Newcastle offers pristine beaches, art galleries and museums, a great variety of restaurants and eateries, nightclubs, bars and extensive shopping facilities.

Newcastle is also fast becoming the leading cultural centre of northern New South Wales with 2 symphony orchestras and a thriving theatrical and dance scene. Newcastle is home to first class performance venues including the Civic Theatre, City Hall, the Conservatorium of Music, the University Great Hall and the Entertainment Centre.

CONFERENCE CASE NOTES

In recent times, Newcastle’s prominence as a conference destination has increased with the hosting of a number of important national and international conferences. The Urological Society of Australasia 2004 Conference, held over 5 days, was one such success.

It was the first time the medical conference had been held in regional New South Wales, and it says something about the destination that it attracted a record number of delegates from around Australia as well as the Asia-Pacific region, the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium and Iran.

SOCIAL SKILLS

A welcome cocktail reception for 700 people was held in the foyer of the Newcastle Civic Centre, while business sessions throughout the 5 days occupied the Newcastle City Hall and an adjoining 1,000 square metre hoeckerdome.

The social program highlighted Newcastle’s ability to dazzle and amaze. On one evening, 350 delegates were transported to the Stockton sand dunes, which had been transformed into an Arabian oasis by Sand Safaris and Videoplus. Belly dancing, boarding down the dunes, and camel rides were the order of the night.

A sports afternoon was arranged with a range of activities including golf, tennis and sailing being available. At the Newcastle Ocean Baths, the delegates were brought back together for an informal barbeque with theming of beach huts, frangipanis and lifesavers arranged by VP Themes and Styling.

The gala dinner was held in the Honeysuckle Locomotive Boiler Shed with a Metropolis themed event. A surprise performance from the world-renowned Tap Dogs, themselves a Newcastle “invention” was a rousing success.

WINES AND VINES

The Hunter Valley is not only one of Australia’s most famous wine making districts. It is also an important conference destination in its own right.

Peppers Guest House, Hunter Valley, one of the pioneers of corporate meetings in the Hunter Valley, celebrated its 20th year of operation with a $1½ million refurbishment. It includes a major upgrade of all guestrooms and bathrooms, the public lounges, reception and conference areas, and the design of Chez Pok restaurant. The pool and sauna has been upgraded and a new day spa added. The Homestead, the original home on the estate, which is now a 4 bedroom retreat perfect for corporate retreats, was also totally refurbished.

The new Lowanna Wellbeing Centre has opened at Eaglereach Wilderness Resort. Sure to be popular with stressed out conference participants, it is set within a tranquil bush setting. Treatments include Lithos Therapy, utilising heated and chilled rocks to sooth muscles and stimulate the body and mind.

HEALTH TONICS

All products used at Lowanna are made in Australia using only natural ingredients. Guests can purchase the products used in their treatments to take home and relive the experience or to provide a unique gift to someone special.

Body treatments include the Scrumptious Fruit Spread, where fruit extracts are used to heal, hydrate and nourish the skin. The Indian Milk Bath sees a mixture of organic goats milk, brown sugar and the finest essential oils infused deep into the skin using a hydrotherapy cocoon.

Pipette restaurant at Cypress Lakes Resort recently took out a NSW Award For Excellence from the Restaurant and Catering Association for the second year in a row. The 5 star resort, with more than 200 luxury villas, also boasts a convention centre for up to 500 delegates, an 18 hole championship golf course, 3 outdoor swimming pools, 2 flood-lit tennis courts, and the acclaimed Golden Door Elysia spa.

RENOVATION UPDATES

The Sebel Kirkton Park Hunter Valley has recently refurbished the east and west wings of the property with new curtains and carpets, new bedroom furniture and lighting. New bathrooms, including showers and mirrors, round out the new look.

Following a $300,000 guestroom and bathroom upgrade, Hunter Valley Gardens’ premier property has begun operations as the Tallawanta Lodge. The property is now the Hunter’s only family owned and run luxury hotel. Tallawanta Lodge is now setting new benchmarks for service and hospitality for the leisure, conference and incentive markets.

In addition to the guestroom upgrade, the last year has seen the opening of a comprehensive first class conference facility and Lazzarini’s Italian Restaurant. The guestroom upgrade includes new bathroom modifications that has seen 2 square metres added. Many of the bathrooms also feature spa baths
or sunken tubs under stunning glass atriums.

NEW PROPERTIES

Accor has been appointed to manage 2 new resort hotels at The Vintage, an exclusive $450 million integrated residential,
golf, holiday and conference complex. 2 styles of resort accommodation are planned. The Mercure Grand Apartments, comprising 16 one bedroom and 28 two bedroom apartments is scheduled for completion in March 2005.

This will be followed by the 5 star Sofitel at The Vintage, comprising luxury suites, exceptional conference and business facilities, a restaurant, day spa and a health and fitness centre. The 100 suite hotel will start building early next year and is due for completion in 2006. Each Sofitel suite will offer views over the Greg Norman designed championship 18 hole golf course and surrounding mountain ranges.

The InterContinental Hotels Group has been named as the operator of a new resort being built on the site of the Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club. The Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Resort, which will be situated around the existing 18 hole golf course, will consist of a 150 room hotel, 175 villas and a health spa. Construction started in June and it is expected to be open in late 2005.

WILD SIDES

North of the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens, in the heart of the spectacular Myall Lakes National Park, is the Myall Shores Ecotourism Resort. When the resort was taken over by EcoPoint, which also manages the Murramurang Resort on the South Coast, in December 2003, it had 13 Lake Side Villas, 8 ensuite cabins and a range of other accommodation options, a restaurant, bar and cafe, conference room and general store.

The Myall Shores Ecotourism Resort has undergone an expansion and refurbishment program that has seen the recent opening of 41 new state-of-the-art luxury villas. These feature extensive water views, 2 bathrooms, and large living areas. The existing conference room has been refurbished while a new conference centre on absolute lake frontage has also been built. The largest meeting room has the ability to seat up to 200 people.

Myall Shores Resort is situated along 1½ kilometres of lake frontage. A definite bonus for conference groups to the property is the national park, which covers 45,000 hectares and features over 40 kilometres of beaches, spectacular sand dunes, Aboriginal heritage sites, rainforest trails, resident dolphin colonies, marine sanctuaries and enough outdoor activities to fill a lifetime.

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