Hunter Valley & Newcastle Conferences

A toast to success

Raise your glasses in salute to a destination that combines so many diverse and entertaining experiences in one region.
Newcastle, a former industrial powerhouse, gets a new lease of life as a stylish and vibrant leisure destination. And Australia’s oldest winemaking region, the Hunter Valley, discovers renewed vigour, with visitors from around the world enjoying its charms. Both have become popular conference and meetings destinations.

Located just two hours from Sydney and serviced by direct air links from the major eastern states, this part of the world boasts long stretches of golden coastline, pristine forests, towering mountain ranges, quaint country villages and a city that has repackaged its unique qualities into a very popular destination.

An unprecedented number of medical organisations have chosen Newcastle as the location for their 2005 conferences. Medical professionals from specialities as diverse as epidemiology, human genetics, cardiology, neuropsychology and health care imaging, as well as the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association, and the Council of Deans of Australian Medical Schools (CDAMS) will all hold their conferences in Newcastle during 2005.

A HEALTHY INDUSTRY

“A record number of conferences have been confirmed for Newcastle for 2005 and beyond,” says Ruth Appleby, conventions manager of the Newcastle Visitor & Convention Bureau. “This reflects the size and importance of the health care industry in Newcastle and the Hunter Region. CDAMS is an especially prestigious meeting for the city as it brings together the heads of all the medical schools from across Australia and New Zealand.”

>> conference venues & meeting rooms Hunter Valley and Newcastle

Newcastle’s attraction as a conference destination has been boosted by the recent announcement of Virgin Blue’s direct flights between Newcastle and the Gold Coast. This adds to Virgin Blue’s direct services to Brisbane and Melbourne. Jetstar, Qantaslink, Aeropelican and Brindabella airlines also provide direct links to a wide range of east coast destinations.
To cope with the enormous increase in demand through the region, Newcastle Airport at Williamstown is about to commence the third expansion of the terminal in 10 years. Due for completion in November, it will have an additional baggage carousel, an extension to departure and check-in lounges, and increased car parking.

WINNING VENUES

The West Leagues Club complex at New Lambton is fresh from a $43 million refurbishment, with outstanding facilities for conferences and special events. Taking pride of place is the Wests Convention Centre, with six well-appointed function rooms seating between 20 and 1,200 people, and tailored to suit any occasion – including gala dinners, meetings, presentations, conferences and trade shows.

The 4½ star Executive Inn is adjacent to Wests Convention Centre, with 134 guestrooms and suites, including 32 spa suites. The hotel has two heated outdoor pools, a spa, fully equipped two level fitness centre and award-winning entertainment facilities.

TASTY RETREATS

Conference groups are already well versed with the Hunter Valley and its many attractions. The opportunity for a rural escape and wine tasting in one of Australia’s most renowned boutique wine areas holds great appeal. Small meetings and executive retreats are a special with numerous venues.

The Bluebush Estate at Lovedale can host meetings for up to 30 people. Four bedrooms are available in the guesthouse; the Bluebush Chalet sleeps nine in three bedrooms; the Bluebush Cottage has room for six people in three bedrooms; and Bluebush Lodge sleeps 12 in five bedrooms.

Conference facilities at the Tuscany Wine Estate in Pokolbin include The Mill conference centre, seating up to 120 people theatre style or 100 for banquets. Tuscany also has a smaller meetings villa suitable for 30 people theatre style, while the conservatory off the reception area can host 40 people for dinner.

The Tuscany Wine Estate is located on 10 hectares, with a large part of the property suitable for outdoor and teambuilding activities. Its position in the midst of the Pokolbin Wine Trail makes it perfect for a leisure exploration of the surrounding wineries. Four golf courses are within 20 minutes drive.

DIVERSE VENUES

In December, the renowned Potters Brewery joined Choice Hotels as the Quality Resort Potters Brewery. Ideally suited to business, conference and leisure activities, it has state-of-the-art meeting facilities for up to 120 delegates. There is also a range of recreational facilities, including a tennis court, swimming pool and spa, and luxury destination spa. A unique point of difference is the microbrewery, which produces a range of delicious boutique beers.

Cypress Lakes Resort has a new and exciting way to host a conference or meeting, with the resort partnering with local winemakers, Lindeman’s Wines and Tamburlaine Wines, to create two unique conferencing venues. Set on the actual winemaking premises of Lindeman’s and Tamburlaine, both venues have exceptional conferencing facilities in a unique environment, enabling organisers to create a spectacular event with a real point of difference.

In addition to the wineries, Cypress Lakes Resort features a dedicated meetings and function centre that can be broken down into four rooms or opened up to provide a ballroom for up to 400 people. Adjacent to the function centre is a permanent marquee, which provides magnificent views across the Hunter Valley vineyards.

Cypress Lakes Resort can cater for groups of all sizes, with accommodation available in one of the 200 one, two, three and four bedroom self-contained villas. It is also home to one of Australia’s best championship resort golf courses and to the largest resort spa in Australia, The Golden Door Spa.

BACK TO NATURE

For a complete rural getaway, the Newcastle-Hunter region has a number of extremely popular venues for the conference market. Eaglereach Wilderness Resort is set on 400 hectares of pristine bushland at Vacy, with spectacular views of the Barrington Tops. A growing number of conference groups have been lured by the resort’s outstanding nature-based experiences, as well as the Aloota Conference Centre, which has a large meetings room seating up to 120 people theatre style and four adjoining break-out rooms. Horse riding and bushwalking are just two of the many activities on offer, while the resort also boasts four restaurants and bars, and the Lowanna Wellbeing Centre.

With the 43,000 hectare Myall Lake National Park on the doorstep, a stress-free environment is guaranteed at Myall Shores Resort. A dedicated eco-resort, Myall Shores has for main meetings rooms, the largest seating up to 200 people theatre style or 100 for banquets. The two main rooms, the Rocky Point Conference Centre and the Campbell Room, can each be broken into two separate rooms, while a number of smaller break-out and function rooms are also available. Recreational activities include canoeing, swimming, bushwalking and fishing, while a range of teambuilding activities is also available.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Set to open in late 2005, the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Resort is being built as part of the existing Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club. The new resort will encompass a 150 room hotel, 175 villas and a health spa.

The Upper Hunter Valley is set to benefit from a multimillion-dollar hotel and conference centre development at Muswellbrook. Expected to be complete in mid 2006, the Mercure Hotel and Conference Centre Muswellbrook will cover a 13 hectare site and include 158 guestrooms and suites.

Located opposite Muswellbrook Golf Course and adjacent to the new Eastbrook Links Estate, it will boast conference facilities for up to 400 people. The hotel will also have a cinema/lecture theatre, tourist information and wine centre, restaurant, health club, pub, gym, spa, sauna, beauty salon, massage rooms, and both indoor and outdoor pools.