Anchors Away in Port Stephens

Business meetings are steering towards the sheltered waters of this outstanding natural paradise. The sparkling waters of Port Stephens, 220 kilometres north of Sydney via modern expressways, represent an aquatic wonderland teeming with marine life. Yachting, fishing, swimming and simply lazing on one of region’s 26 sandy beaches are popular recreational pursuits, and it’s amongst this resort-style atmosphere that many corporate groups choose to meet. Transfers from Newcastle Airport, where direct flights are available from Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, take just 45 minutes.

There’s a wide range of meetings and resort facilities available within the area. In the two years since opening the Whitesands Conference Centre – meetings showpiece of the Shoal Bay Resort & Spa at Port Stephens – corporate business has been nothing short of astounding.

>> function and meeting rooms in Port Stephens

Already this year, such corporate clients as Electroboard and Masterfoods have sampled the Shoal Bay Resort & Spa. Director of Sales, Nicole Finlayson, believes the combination of its superb location, proximity to Sydney and the range of leisure activities in the surrounding area will continue to attract both the domestic and international market.

“We have had tremendous success with a lot of high profile organisations, such as Macquarie Bank, Rural Doctors, McDonalds and a number of pharmaceutical organisations,” says Finlayson. “Repeat bookings – sometimes two, three and four times – are not uncommon now. It’s a positive confirmation that we have one of the best coastal convention centres in Australia, which offers a high standard of service.”

MEETINGS IN STYLE

The Whitesands Conference Centre is set on the sweeping natural beach front of Shoal Bay, catering for up to 400 people theatre style and easily divided into a choice of room designs. Catering for small or large events, Whitesands is flexible and able to adapt to a variety of clients, budgets and requirements.

Accommodation for convention guests consists of suites, as well as one, two and three bedroom apartments, villas and luxury penthouses. The resort itself sleeps up to 600 guests, with the newest addition to the accommodation being the Heritage Apartments, which opened in December.

>> function and meeting rooms in Shoal Bay

The Heritage Apartments comprise 27 luxuriously appointed king and queen-size suites overlooking Shoal Bay, with full kitchen facilities and spa baths. Shoal Bay Resort & Spa now covers two hectares, comprising the $5.5 million dollar Aqua Spa complex, three pools, four restaurants and four bars; as well as 200 self-contained one, two and three bedroom suites, apartments, villas and luxury penthouses.