Hold your next conference in the Victorian mountains

Mountain highs

Heading for the hills in rural Victoria is easy with a great range of conference and special event venues.

The region of Victoria that encompasses the Dandenongs, the North-East and the Snowfields/High Country has spectacular mountain scenery in spades. The ability to escape the city and convene in an out-of-the-way location, far from the office environment, proves an excellent way to focus the minds of delegates. And with this region so close to Melbourne and easily accessible from other parts of Australia, it lends such meetings an even greater desirability.

In winter, the crisp mountain air and ability to indulge in a little skiing or snowboarding is an added advantage. And there are just as many things to do in the summer months ñ whether it be winery tours of the Yarra Valley, horse riding, golf, or taking in some of the many great restaurants.

DOWNHILL RUNS

In the midst of the Milawa gourmet district, based around the Ovens and Kings Valleys and less than three hours from Melbourne, is Lindenwarrah Hotel. A contemporary country house style hotel and restaurant, there are 40 guestrooms including two suites, guest lounges, dining room, landscaped gardens and swimming pool with views across its own vineyard.

>> Conference & meeting venues Victorian Snowfields & High Country

With the Restaurant Merlot as a dining backdrop, the two meeting rooms and two break-out rooms provide a versatile space for conferences and events. The largest of the rooms seats 100 people theatre style or 90 for banquets.

A little higher in altitude is the Mt Buffalo Chalet, set in the very midst of the expansive Mt Buffalo National Park. The historic chalet has 97 guestrooms and three conference rooms with a range of audiovisual equipment as standard. hectares of pristine bushland. The multi-award-winning resort has a choice of 4 star hotel style accommodation.

Adventure activities around the resort include one of Australia's longest commercial abseiling areas, an underground river cave, and a hang-gliding ramp that takes thrill-seekers out over the 300 metre deep canyon. In winter, skiing is abundant.

The Pinnacle Valley Resort lies at the base of Mt Buller on 80mmodation and 17 three bedroom chalets. For conference groups, the 350 square metre Buller View Room can seat 400 people theatre style and be broken into two smaller spaces. A variety of other rooms include a dedicated exhibition area.