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Port Douglas was once a quiet seaside town frequented by fishermen and locals from Cairns. Today, it is an international mecca attracting heads of state, film stars and holidaymakers, and conference and incentive travel groups from around Australia and the globe. Indeed, it can probably lay claim to being one of Australia’s first great incentive travel destinations.
Port Douglas sits on an isthmus beside the sparkling waters of Dickinson Inlet and the rolling waves of the Coral Sea. Overlooking the village is Flagstaff Hill, which is the best place to capture the striking views of the town and its superb Four Mile Beach. Getting there, as any visitor would know, is a real treat, as you travel north along the coast highway – waves sparkling below.
Port Douglas and the nearby Daintree region caters wonderfully well for all styles of visitors, but it is at the higher-end of the market, including conference and incentive travel groups, that it really comes into its own. Nestled between and among the swaying palm trees and golden sands are some of this country’s finest resort hotels, each offering something different for well-travelled groups, and all providing a level of experience and expertise unsurpassed anywhere else in the country.
Many venues not only offer some surprisingly refined dining options, but also have a wealth of off-site areas that are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on delegates and VIP guests. Cocktails beside the pool or on the golf course, or a dinner set up under a tropical canopy of trees with the waves lapping the sand just metres away. Combine these with the spectacular, balmy weather, tropical sunshine and picture-perfect settings and you have a destination that will have your groups wanting to return again and again. And it’s not surprising to learn that so many do!
The other great thing about Port Douglas is that its central harbour allows for easy access to the Great Barrier Reef on a variety of pleasure craft. Sailing boats, high-speed catamarans and luxury cruise vessels can all be boarded at the impressive Marina Mirage in central Port Douglas. You don’t even have to get your toes wet to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef. Just getting out on the water is often enough to return to the mainland feeling refreshed and invigorated. And, when the day comes to an end the marina has a host of bars, cafes and restaurants for those who maybe don’t want to go home just yet.
Just north of Port Douglas, secluded lodges can be the perfect oasis for smaller meetings and more intimate incentive groups, while the Daintree provides both an attraction for pre and post touring, or as a backdrop for many more special events.
The compact nature of Port Douglas makes it the ideal destination for conference and incentive groups to partake in a variety of team-building experiences that won’t break the bank. Many destination management companies offer a huge variety of team-building options that will not only help bring a group closer together but give them a great opportunity to explore Port Douglas and its surrounds. How about a beach Olympics bash with a touch of fun followed by a sumptuous lunch on Four Mile Beach? Or a rally car race where delegates are given maps, intructions and clues and are set free to explore Port Douglas, the nearby town of Mossman, and right to the very start of the stunning Daintree Rainforest, just a short drive north of Port Douglas. For those who prefer to sit back and relax rather than do all the work themselves, there are also plenty of great options available. Combine a river and four-wheel drive tour for fun and soft adventure.
In Port Douglas the options are seemingly endless.
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas
The Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas is one of the oldest resorts in the region but continues to upgrade, refurbish and offer new attractions and experiences for the well-travelled conference delegate and incentive travel reward recipient. Located on Four Mile Beach the resort is described as being uniquely situated between two World Heritage listed attractions – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Set in 365 acres of tropical gardens and with five acres of swimming pool, it offers 294 well-appointed guest rooms and more than 100 two, three and four bedroom split-level villas. The resort’s 18-hole championship golf course is always in pristine condition while its selection of award-winning restaurants and bars cater for those who enjoy the good things in life. The property offers eight meeting rooms in total. One of its most popular spaces is The Glade, a pillarless venue which can cater up to 850 theatre style or 1000 for cocktails. The translucent covering diffuses soft, natural light while a myriad of flexible setup options – including air-conditioning, varied floor coverings, and retractable side panels – make it a great indoor/outdoor solution for meetings, conferences, cocktail parties, and banquets. For further details telephone (07) 4099 5888, email salessmphd@sheraton.com or visit www.sheraton.com/portdouglas.
Mantra Treetops Resort & Spa
The Mantra Treetops Resort & Spa has been built amidst the natural canopy of its rainforest gardens with a flowing creek and lily ponds through its centre. The property has 300 accommodation rooms and three meeting rooms, the largest of which can seat up to 250 delegates. The purpose-built conference centre opened in early 2005 and can seat up to 150 delegates theatre-style. Off the conference centre is the stunning Jacana Deck which overlooks the naturally flowing creek and can easily accommodate up to 100 for cocktails. Guest rooms have been themed around the colours of the resort’s rainforest surroundings and create an atmosphere of quiet serenity. The low rise, three level accommodation wings are hidden behind the tropical vegetation found throughout the resort. In terms of dining, the venue offers The Cockatoo Lounge & Bar, said to be a great place to relax and unwind, The Outback Restaurant, draped by ancient gums and fig trees and overlooking the resort’s lagoon-style pool, and The Wharf Restaurant. The Wharf Restaurant showcases contemporary Australian cuisine and fine wines. For further details telephone (07) 4030 4333, email treetops.events@mantraresorts.com.au or visit www.mantratreetops.com.au.
Sea Temple Resort & Spa Port Douglas
Set on 10 acres of beachfront at the southern end of Four Mile Beach, the Sea Temple Resort & Spa is the newest five-star resort in the region, and is clearly one of the most spectacular resorts in terms of look. Walking into the resort is like you have just stepped into a postcard. Set around a stunning lagoon-style swimming pool the property had 194 guest rooms. Many of the ground-floor apartments are swim-out in style, meaning you can take a dip from your back door. Two and three bedroom apartments, beach villas and penthouses with private rooftop spas and plunge pools are also available. The venue has five stylish and variable meeting areas including poolside and catering for up to 165 delegates theatre-style. Adjacent to the property is the 18-hole links golf course – a perfect start or finish to the day for busy conference delegates. For further details telephone (07) 4084 3500, email reservations@strspd.mirvac.com.au or visit www.seatemple.com.au.
Rydges Sabaya Resort Port Douglas
The former Rydges Reef Resort has just completed a multi-million dollar redevelopment and reopened on June 27 as a four-and-a-half star property with a distinctly Balinese theme. Set on 3.2 hectares of tropical gardens, the resort has 192 rooms including hotel rooms as well as one-bedroom and two-bedroom semi self-contained apartments. The food and beverage options are many, with the Sakinah House Restaurant open for buffet breakfast and dinner seven days. The Lotus Lounge Bar is perfect for a relaxing cocktail, while the Biru Bar is a swim-up bar offering the opportunity to enjoy a drink as you relax in the lagoon-style pool set in lush tropical surrounds. The Biru Bar also offers a poolside lunch for a totally relaxed dining experience. With facilities catering for a conference of up to 350 people, and a total of five meeting rooms, there are sure to be many clients taking advantage of everything Rydges Sabaya Resort has to offer, including the stunning day spa. For further details telephone (07) 4099 8900, email reservations_sabaya@rydges.com or visit www.rydges.com.
Peppers In The Tropical North
Peppers has expanded its presence in the tropical north, recently welcoming two new properties to its portfolio - Peppers Beach Club & Spa at Palm Cove and Peppers Beach Club at Port Douglas. Both former Outrigger properties, they each offer delegates the ultimate in luxury, sophistication and beautiful surrounds, boasting the finest facilities you would expect as two of Australia’s leading resorts. Peppers Beach Club & Spa, Palm Cove has a unique conference centre that can be configured to accommodate a range of function types and group sizes. The meeting room can be utilized as a single 150-square-metre space, or as two smaller rooms separated by a soundproof operable wall. The combined meeting rooms can cater for up to 150 delegates theatre style or 60 delegates classroom style. The adjoining landscaped, terraced garden provides a refreshing outlook for the dual meeting rooms or for the entire multi-purpose space. Peppers Beach Club & Spa’s friendly, professional service, top quality food and beverage choices, impressive group dining options, fantastic facilities and tropical location create the perfect venue for meetings with a difference. For further details contact Peppers Beach Club & Spa on (07) 4059 9200 or by emailing palmcove@peppers.com.au. Alternatively enquiries can also be made with the Peppers national conference & events team on (02) 8374 8854, email conference@peppers.com.au, or visit www.peppers.com.au.
Voyages Silky Oaks Lodge & Healing Waters Spa
From the moment you arrive at Silky Oaks Lodge you fee the aura of the Daintree. This is the place that you can really feel like you have left civilisation behind. Guests are accompanied in beautiful timber tree and river houses set right in the Daintree rainforest. The property has 50 accommodation rooms and two meeting rooms, with a capacity for 100 guests theatre-style. The property’s stunning Healing Waters Spa is now getting an international reputation. It offers a variety of natural treatments that are sure to leave delegates and visitors relaxed are rejuvenated. For further details telephone (02) 8296 8000, email conferences@voyages.com.au or visit www.voyages.com.au.
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