To the manner reborn

In its ability to reinvent itself from an industrial powerhouse to a meetings haven, the Newcastle and Hunter Region has it all.
It was not too long ago that Newcastle and the surrounding Hunter Region was famous principally for its heavy industry. The coastal area around Newcastle was initially settled as a penal colony in the early years of the nineteenth century but, by midway through the century, it had emerged as an industrial centre through mining and, later, steel making. Today, Newcastle is the second-largest city in New South Wales and has progressed from its grimy, heavy industrial past to become a popular holiday resort.

Inland, the fertile land north around Cessnock has spawned a boutique wine industry with its associated tourist attractions. Scattered throughout the Hunter are quaint historic towns, national parks, wilderness retreats, indulgent resorts and guesthouses and the never-ending pursuit of leisure, fine food and great wine.

There is no greater region in Australia with such a diversity of attractions and ambience for the conference market. Award-winning properties abound and there truly is something for every taste. Beach Olympics along pristine stretches of coastline, horse-drawn carriage tours of award-winning wineries, gala dinners highlighting the region’s outstanding natural produce, early morning balloon flights, cocktail parties in century-old historic surroundings, abseiling down sheer cliffs and convening amidst the whisper quiet seclusion of the Australian countryside – these are the memories that will live in delegates’ memories forever.

>> Conference & meeting venues in Hunter and Newscastle

Place To Please
Access throughout the region is fast and easy with well-maintained roads and highways. From Sydney, the freeway link gives access to the Hunter in just over an hour. The newly enlarged Newcastle Airport is serviced by such airlines as Jetstar, Virgin Blue, QantasLink, Brindabella and Aeropelican, allowing for the transportation of interstate delegates.

Once on the ground, there’s nothing that delegates won’t miss out on. Newcastle and the Hunter Region have a diversity of home-grown creativity mixed with a professionalism and eagerness to please, unique in many regional destinations.