Bordering on spectacular

All the ingredients needed to stage a successful conference can be found in the South-West of NSW.

The South-West Area of NSW holds an amazing diversity, from the alpine attractions of the Snowy Mountains to the beautiful countryside spread out along the Murray River. The twin cities of Albury-Wodonga straddle the border with Victoria, and the commercial centre of Albury has long been considered one of the most prominent regional conference destinations in Australia.

Located 570 kilometres south-west of Sydney, and with excellent links via with the Hume Highway to Melbourne, Albury has much to offer conference groups. Gathering delegates from around Australia is not a problem, with nearby Albury Airport offering regular air services to and from Sydney and Melbourne.

The Hume Dam, 16 kilometres from the city centre, harnesses the Murray River. The expansive dam (known as Lake Hume) makes use of its watersports potential, with swimming, sailing, fishing and canoeing. Just across the border is the boutique wine-producing district centred around Rutherglen, with its many wineries, cafes and fine restaurants.

>> Conference & meeting venues in South-West Coast, NSW

Built to impress
Albury gets far more than its share of high-profile meetings, with such recent successes as the inaugural Public Libraries Australia annual conference in November 2005. Recently, the city beat out significant competition to hold the 9th National Rural Health Conference, expected to attract more than 1,000 delegates to the Albury Convention Centre in March 2007.

In summer, Albury makes the most of its pleasant climate, with bushwalking, parachuting, horse riding, gliding, golf and 4WD excursions. In winter, Albury is a short hop to the Victorian ski field of Falls Creek. A little farther afield is the centre of the Snowy Mountains alpine playground, which includes Thredbo, Blue Cow, Perisher, Guthega and Smiggin Holes.

It’s this incredible choice of experiences – skiing, bushwalking, enjoying a paddlewheel tour on the Murray River, and tasting great wines and fresh local produce – that makes the South-West Area of NSW one of the great Australian conference experiences.