Coastal Conferencing

Stunning scenery, laid-back villages and lush national parks make the stretch of coastline between the thriving regional city of Geelong and the South Australian border a popular destination.

It’s easy to see why the Great Ocean Road is renowned as one of the world’s great scenic drives. Stretching westward from Torquay for almost 300 kilometres, the road carries travellers along the beautiful rugged South-West Coast of Victoria, travelling through the towns of Anglesea, Lorne, Port Campbell, Warrnambool and Port Fairy.

For conference groups wanting to base themselves at the gateway to the Great Ocean Road, Mercure Hotel Geelong can cater for small to large functions, meetings, trade displays, weddings and large corporate events. A newly refurbished function centre with state-of-the-art facilities accommodates more than 400 delegates theatre style or 330 people for a banquet style function.

>> Look for Great Ocean Road & South West, VIC conference venue

At Lorne, about 140 kilometres south of Melbourne, the fully refurbished Cumberland Lorne Resort is an excellent choice for a conference retreat. Just opposite the two kilometre stretch of beach bordered by tree shaded lawns, the resort’s 99 apartments all have private balconies, luxurious spa baths and self-contained kitchens.

Combined with comprehensive leisure and conference facilities, Cumberland Lorne Resort also offers a swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, and a gym. It is also home to Lorne’s first day spa – the Endota Spa – which has four treatment rooms.

One of the most visited stretches of the Great Ocean Road is Port Campbell National Park. Sculpted by the wind and sea, the coastline has taken shape over millions of years to form a series of striking natural features now known as the Twelve Apostles, just east of Port Campbell.

The Great Ocean Road’s rich maritime past is revealed in historic towns such as Port Fairy and Portland, with their fishing wharves, old pubs and colonial buildings. Several lighthouses also dot the coastline, a reminder of how this area became known as the Shipwreck Coast.

Warrnambool, about 270 kilometres from Melbourne, overlooks the Southern Ocean and is known as Victoria’s Southern Right whale nursery – these giants of the sea return to Logan’s Beach every May to October, and can often be seen just offshore.

This area also has many interesting small museums, such as Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. With original buildings, a lighthouse and recreated port complete with ships, the museum provides a fascinating insight into the 19th century life of the city. There are many shipwreck relics on display, including the famous porcelain peacock washed up from the tragic wreck of the Loch Ard in 1878.

Located on the wide sweep of Lady Bay, the city has lovely beaches and interesting coastal features, including Pickering Point, Thunder Point and Point Ritchie around the mouths of the Merri and Hopkins rivers.

Sundowner Warrnambool is a 4 star property with five separate meeting and conference rooms to suit groups of up to 150 delegates. The city has a thriving arts and events scene, excellent restaurants and a relaxed cafe scene, similar to those found right along the coast.

The resort town of Torquay is widely regarded as Australia’s surfing capital and nearby Bells Beach hosts the Rip Curl Pro, part of the surfing World Professional Tour.