Popularity Plus!

The intense spirituality of the mythic Australian Outback creates
an aspirational appeal for conference delegates.

Most Australians have the Northern Territory high on their list of must see places but it seems to take some time for them to live out their ambitions. The Outback has been seen as a mysterious icon, far away and difficult to reach but an increasing number of conferences are overcoming their destinational inhibitions.

The result is that most Northern Territory conferences tend to exceed their expected numbers as Australian delegates see a perfect opportunity to realise their dream. With the opening of a purpose-built convention centre in Alice Springs, another planned for Darwin in the coming years and superb meetings facilities available at Uluru and on the edge of the Kakadu National Park, there has never been a better time to visit.

Aside from touring all the region’s great natural wonders and exploring Aboriginal culture and heritage, there’s much to be done in the Northern Territory that can’t be done anywhere else.

AIR LINKS

Air access to the Northern Territory has never been easier with Virgin Blue now flying 3 times a week to Darwin direct from Melbourne, as well as direct Darwin-Sydney and Darwin-Brisbane services and Alice Springs to Sydney. Qantas has also increased capacity on the Darwin-Brisbane and Darwin-Melbourne routes.

The cache of the Outback attracts international and domestic delegates, many of whom have only ever seen the region on television. It’s an aspirational destination that, understandably enough, ensures a high delegate quotient.

High profile conferences coming to the Northern Territory include the Council For Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education in February 2005 and the 8th National Rural Health Conference in March, both of which will be held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre, and the Association of Australian Ports and Marine Authorities (AAPMA) Biennial Conference in July in Darwin.

ALICE AND THE ROCK

Voyages operates some of the most exciting resorts in the Northern Territory including Longitude 131°, Ayers Rock Resort, Kings Canyon Resort, and the Alice Springs Resort, as well as Cape Tribulation Resort in far northern Queensland.

The Voyages Alice Springs Resort has this year undergone a $2.2 million refurbishment which included a new bar, rejuvenated restaurant and conference facilities, and vastly improved Palm Court standard rooms. It’s the final stage of a 5 year masterplan that began with the 1999 construction of 36 River Gum deluxe rooms, followed in 2000 by a significant upgrade of the Terrace Court standard rooms and new reception area, and in 2002 by a new kitchen and refurbished Fountain Court standard rooms.

In the Palm Court standard rooms, work included the installation of new dining and desk chairs, king-size beds, bedside tables, bedheads, desk/television units, window pelmets, wardrobe units, light fittings, air-conditioning, dining tables, bathroom vanity consoles and 5 interconnecting rooms.

UNDER A WIDE SKY

The Alice Springs Resort also now boasts the city’s first dedicated seafood restaurant. The new Barra On Todd offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional Outback fare of beef, camel, kangaroo or emu. With the wild attractions of the Northern Territory as a backdrop, it’s only natural that barramundi features prominently on the menu.

Voyages’ Longitude 131° luxury wilderness camp in Australia’s Red Centre reopened in July, following a freak bushfire that devastated the property in October 2003. It was also an opportunity for corporate guest feedback into a range of product enhancements. These included an outdoor dining site to replicate the renowned Sounds of Silence dining experience from Voyages Ayers Rock Resort (situated a few kilometres away from Longitude 131°), upgraded arrivals and reception area, and twin-room configurations.

In the rebuilding operation, Voyages again followed world best environmental controls for re-construction work, including the use and transport of prefabricated structures together with lightweight machinery that minimised impacts on the delicate ecology that was in a vital stage of regeneration. Longitude 131° was one of the first tourism developments approved under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and following extensive consultations with the Central Land Council and Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority that included cultural mapping studies that confirmed there were no sacred sites in the area.

TOP END NEWS

In Darwin, the biggest news continues to be the creation of a new $600 million waterfront development that will rejuvenate a former industrial area. Encompassing some 25 hectares, it will include the purpose-built Darwin Convention Centre, a promenade along the length of the waterfront, residential and hotel accommodation, shops, cafes, and kiosks.

The Northern Territory Government has committed $100 million to the project with the Convention Centre expected to be operational by late 2006. A 2003 report from PricewaterhouseCoopers indicated that such a convention centre would provide 68 convention events annually that otherwise would not have been held in the Northern Territory and add nearly 40,000 new delegates days per year. This would equate into an additional $10 million annually for the Territory’s economy. Construction is expected to begin early to mid 2005.

In July, the former MGM Grand Darwin became the SKYCITY Darwin, reflecting its purchase by the New Zealand based gaming and entertainment company, SKYCITY Entertainment Group Limited.

A WINNING BET

Located 3 kilometres from the city centre, the property is the only licensed casino in Darwin and the largest in the Northern Territory. This follows some $18 million on property improvements on the 107 room beachfront hotel complex and associated casino operations. Conference facilities include the Grand Ballroom for 400 people theatre style or 320 for banquets and the Grand International room for 200 theatre style or 150 for banquets.

An increasingly popular way for conference groups to travel into the Northern Territory is The Ghan, one of Australia’s most iconic railroad journeys. The extension of the line from Alice Springs to Darwin now creates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The 2,979 kilometre trek from Adelaide, taking two nights, gives delegates a unique and relaxed ground-level perspective on the Outback.

Follow this link to find a >> conference or function venue in the Northern Territory.