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NSW South Coast venue news
Seaside retreats
Getting away from the city and into a tranquil coastal environment provides the perfect setting for a conference program.
The
South Coast of New South Wales extends from the Royal National Park on
the southern edge of Sydney to the Victorian border. The Princes Highway
is the ribbon that weaves through the region, connecting Wollongong, Kiama,
Nowra, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Bega and Eden, passing through quiet villages
and small towns dependent on tourism, dairy farming and fishing for their
livelihood.
Itís an immensely picturesque area, with its meetings industry drawing upon such markets as Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne as its prime sources. Wollongong, at the northern edge of the South Coast, is the economic powerhouse of the region, having reinvented itself from its days as a centre of heavy industry to something of a boutique destination. Fine restaurants serving the best freshly caught seafood and locally grown produce, a thriving arts community and a respected university are all important facets of its tourism industry.
>> Conference & function venues South Coast, NSW
The $47 million project currently underway to create a new Lawrence Hargrave Drive will revive the scenic roadway that winds from Stanwell Park through the coastal villages of Coalcliff, Coledale and Austinmer to Wollongong. It is expected to be completed in 2006.
Also with a projected opening date of 2006, is the new $17 million Hotel Ibis Wollongong, the first international hotel to be built in the city in more than a decade. Occupying former church land near the heart of the city, the hotel will feature 153 rooms and a restaurant/bar complex spread over two wings connected by a glass walkway.
CONFERENCE FAVOURITE
The Novotel Northbeach Wollongong, winner in the Meeting and Business Tourism category at the 2004 Illawarra Tourism Awards, has the regionís largest conference facilities. These include a 600 seater pillar-free ballroom, 13 meeting rooms (nine of which have magnificent ocean views) and an extensive pre-function and exhibition area that can cater for up to 30 exhibitor booths. The hotel also features a business centre, a range of corporate teambuilding activities and a vehicle hoist that makes light work of moving heavy equipment to the conference floor.
With panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the Novotel Northbeach is the perfect location for a conference or meeting. Just over an hourís drive from Sydney, the hotel boasts extensive recreational and leisure facilities ñ including a day spa, tennis court and fully equipped gymnasium with spa, sauna and outdoor pool. It has 204 guestrooms and spa suites.
The Novotel Northbeach has launched a Conference Couture program. Depending on the number of delegates and the length of the residential conference, a range of special extras can be made available. These include the provision of newspapers and magazines; beach tai chi or volleyball; fresh fruit or lolly dispenser to ensure energy levels are kept high during the meeting program; a barista to serve fresh espressos during the breaks; and a dedicated Conference Personal Assistant on hand from 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Conference Couture is another example of the hotel continuing to build on its impeccable reputation by developing innovative ways to improve and exceed its business clientsí expectations.
FAR AND AWAY
This
year, the City Pacific Hotel will be undergoing a $3 million facelift
and re-branded as the 4ý star Rydges Wollongong. The creation of two new
conference rooms will also add to the facilities.
For something a little different, how about a conference or meeting in a tented camp at Jervis Bay? Paperbark Camp has 10 indulgent safari tents accom-modating up to 24 delegates, with private verandahs, comfortable beds and indoor/ outdoor ensuite bathrooms. Companies that have so far taken advantage of Paperbark Camp include Datex Ohmeda and Pfizer-Park Davis.
Located just over three hours south of Sydney at Batemans Bay, the award-winning Coachhouse Marina Resort has four conference rooms and a board room, with the largest space seating 150 people theatre style or 100 for banquets. All conference rooms have natural light and blackout capabilities, allowing facilitators to create the right ambience for each session. The resort has a comprehensive range of villas with complimentary upgrades to spa suites included in every conference booking. The federation style self-contained villas are positioned along quaint streets on the 6.4 hectare waterfront property.
For residential conferences of 20 delegates or more, which are booked for April to August 2005, organisers can choose one of the following packages free of charge: 30 minute welcome cocktail party; 30 minute welcome beverage package; pamper package for one, including a deluxe bathrobe and a massage at a South Coast day spa; golf package for one, including 18 holes at the Catalina Country Club directly opposite the resort; or an accommodation package for one, including two nights accommodation in a waterfront spa villa for two adults and two children.
