Alpine Highs

Spectacular high country scenery, wineries,
and great open spaces are just a part of the
total mountain experience.

The Alpine region of New South Wales, along with the neighbouring South-West district, has become something of a magnet for corporate groups. While the Snowy Mountains is a tourist destination largely during the ski season, conference business is not seasonal. Winter, when après-skiing is the teambuilding activity of choice, is just as popular as summer when the mountains are transformed and delegates are far from their usual environs.

Cooma is the centre of the Snowy Mountains, and has the nearest airport. Albury services the area along the New South Wales – Victorian border, principally the Murray River wineries around Rutherglen and the Victorian ski field of Falls Creek.

Albury itself is a regional centre popular with conferences. For 25 consecutive years, the Albury Convention and Performing Arts Centre hosted the Australian Institute of Credit Union Management conference, seeing it grow from 30 to more than 500 delegates. Last year, the Local Government Association of New South Wales Conference returned to once again taste the attractions of Albury, while this year’s conference business included the Australian Podiatry Association.

The Albury Convention Centre and Performing Arts Centre recently upgraded the main theatre which seats 818 delegates. The upgrade included new seating, carpets, lighting, sound system and desk, hearing loop, increased disabled seating, tac tiles, hand rails and painting. In addition, the Convention Centre last year replaced carpets and repainted throughout.

>> Snowy Mountains NSW conference venues & meeting rooms

SUMMER OR WINTER

In the Snowy Mountains region, the Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort has launched the Kosciusko Alpine Guided Walks, offering a healthy options for conferences. The program is an innovative style of bushwalking and overnight camping until now not available or experienced in the region.

Single and multi-day guided walks enable Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort guests to experience the beauty and wilds of the Kosciusko National Park in total comfort. Local guides share their intimate knowledge while the hassle and hardship of carrying equipment is tended to by the Kosciusko Alpine Guided Walks staff.

The Station Resort in Jindabyne, owned and operated by Perisher Blue Pty Ltd, is now open for summer events, meetings, conferences and functions. The Station Resort’s one to two star accommodation rating suits those organisations looking for value-for-money alternatives when planning their next group event. Resort features include 256 rooms accommodating around 1,500 delegates, five separate function areas, two bars and restaurants with fabulous food (all conveniently located on the ground floor), tennis courts, sports oval, courtyard barbeque areas, plenty of parking and wide open spaces.