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Byron Bay, Yamba & Ballina
Back to nature on the Far North Coast of NSW
A concern for the environment can have a beneficial effect on the conference market.
Centred
around the region of NSW closest to the Queensland border, the Far North
Coast takes in such coastal communities as Yamba,
Ballina and Byron Bay. The northern end of the region is easily accessed
by air from Coolangatta Airport, while regular commuter services through
Grafton and Lismore fly direct to Sydney.
Opened in December last year, The Byron at Byron has captured the attention of the corporate communities in Sydney, the Gold Coast and Brisbane. This luxurious resort has 92 one bedroom apartments, a day spa, and a 216 square metre conference centre capable of hosting up to 160 delegates theatre style. Supporting the conference facilities is a business centre with the latest equipment.
In their leisure time, delegates can take the timber boardwalk through the rainforest to pristine Tallow Beach. The Byron at Byron, set on 18 hectares, is only five minutes from Byron Bay’s restaurant precinct.
The Ballina Beach Resort is set on more than a hectare of tropical gardens and is just 100 metres from Lighthouse Beach. The function centre is located adjacent to Beaches restaurant and holds 160 people theatre style or 120 for banquets. Las Balsa Room has double-glazed windows for soundproofing and seats 50 people theatre style, while the Las Balsa Boardroom is suitable for 10 people.
POPULAR CHOICE
Australis
Angourie Rainforest Resort at Yamba
is the first property to be franchised with the Constellation Hotel Group
under the recognised “Australis” resort brand, joining other
Australis Resorts in Coffs Harbour, Noosa and Surfers Paradise.
Angourie has a 120 seat conference centre or a stand-alone conference room seating up to 70 delegates, with a break-out area for 20 people. The Essential Elements Day Spa is proving very popular with meetings groups.
The world-class eco-resort, comprising 66 one and two bedroom resort suites and villas, capped off a successful 2004 by winning a NSW Tourism Award for Best Eco-Tourism operation. The honour follows its victory in the Northern Rivers Tourism Awards in the categories of Deluxe Accommodation and Eco Tourism. Angourie was also inducted into the Northern Rivers Tourism’s Hall of Fame.
The success of properties such as Angourie, and the commitment of major hotel chains to support such initiatives, bodes well for the future. Far from being put off by the eco-tourism and sustainable tourism tags, corporate Australia is actively encouraging its proliferation.
