Greater Port Macquarie is going off. Venue operators and event service providers are holding onto their hats with the continuing great news about flight increases, new facilities, new product and growing interest in the destination, just around four hours’ drive-time from Sydney and under an hour in the air.
The most recent news for the once sleepy seaside hamlet is that VirginBlue will be commencing flights into Port Macquarie from February 4, 2008. Up until now Qantas Link was the only national carrier servicing the destination, and as such ticket prices were steep to stay the least. Local operators are hopeful that with VirginBlue entering the market ticket prices will come down as capacity goes up.
The other exciting news for the destination is the construction of The Glasshouse in the heart of the central business district. This state-of-the-art arts, conference and entertainment centre is set to become the lifeblood of cultural, business and social activities within Port Macquarie when it opens in August 2008.
The Glasshouse will have a 620-seat tiered theatre, a regional art gallery with 600 square metres of international standard exhibition space over three levels, flexible exhibition and performance studio, multi-purpose meeting and conference rooms, a community workshop space, café and bar, an outdoor forecourt, and office and retail space.
Locally, there has been plenty of controversy surrounding the building which at last count was approaching $50 million in construction costs.
Robyn Birrell who has been appointed director, performing arts of The Glasshouse (coming from a similar position in Geelong in Victoria) believes the facility will fill a void missing in Port Macquarie. Many national touring arts shows have passed by Port Macquarie because of a lack of a suitable venue.
She said this would not be the case anymore and local residents could expect a raft of high-class performances throughout the year.
But the best news for the business events fraternity is that The Glasshouse will be able to cater wonderfully well to high-end meetings, conferences and small exhibitions.
The 600-seat tiered auditorium has been specifically constructed for cultural performances but with meetings firmly on the agenda. The venue will offer the best in acoustics and staging, and all right in the heart of the city.
Hotels, already popular for meetings, are anticipating a flow-on effect of business when The Glasshouse opens. Many, like Rydges and the new Mercure (which opened in December 2007), are within walking distance of The Glasshouse.
Rydges Port Macquarie is arguably the best positioned hotel in town, overlooking the Hastings River. The property offers 98 well-appointed and spacious rooms and 19 self-contained apartments and six studio rooms.
A versatile set of function rooms, comfortable and high-quality accommodation, combined with attentive and friendly staff makes it a great venue to do business in.
Rydges Port Macquarie can cater for up to 175 people theatre-style, with all four conference rooms offering an enviable position with views over the water.
The venue recently underwent a minor refurbishment, with carpet replaced throughout the property giving it a fresh lift.
The hotel bar/restaurant is the pulse of the property. It offers informal but stylish dining and features an open kitchen and alfresco dining on the terrace overlooking the Hastings River. Dinner features a seasonally changing menu showcasing the best of fresh, local produce matched with a comprehensive wine list.
Mercure Port Macquarie has been constructed with the business traveller and conference delegate in mind, and is tucked just a short distance away from The Glasshouse. It is so new that at the time of going to press not even a website was up and running.
Another property that will benefit from the opening of The Glasshouse will be Macquarie Waters Hotel and Apartments, about one minute on foot from the arts venue.
This stylish venue (like many things in Port Macquarie, it seems), is new. It offers 49 one, two and three-bedroom apartments with spa and ocean views, balconies and flat screen LCD TVs.
The popular Quality Resort Sails continues to woo local and national conference groups with its great location and reputation. The property offers 83 guest rooms, studio and executive suites with balconies or terraces, water or garden views.
It has six meeting rooms, capable of accommodating up to 150 delegates, and is home to Spinnakers on the Waterfront restaurant which offers modern Australian cuisine with Mediterranean influences. Alfresco dining outdoors allows visitors to soak up the local atmosphere.
Varan Freestone of Port Macquarie based Dharam Events, is the undisputed champion and honorary promotions officer of the local events industry.
Varan has a real passion for the destination after making it her home 18 years ago from South Africa. A day or two with Varan and professional conference organisers will know everything there is to know about Port Macquarie including where to go, stay and what to do when you’re in town.
She has been creating events in Port for many years now and knows every nook and cranny of the destination, and is especially knowledgeable of areas for off-site events that won’t break the bank. One of these outdoor destinations is Windmill Hill Reserve located just minutes from the city centre past Oxley Beach.
This grassy point, with waves crashing below, will set you back something like $35 when you hire it from the local council.
Another great off-site venue is Harry’s Lookout, a little further south from town. Harry was a legendary local resident who arrived in Port Macquarie with his wife in the 1960s, unhooked his caravan right on Shelley Beach and never left. For those who are more into the bush than the beach, Varan suggests a team-building morning or afternoon tea at the lookout at North Brother Mountain high above Camden Haven.
Timbertown in Wauchope is also a great alternative. Timbertown is home to the rustic Maul and Wedge Restaurant. Visit www.dharamevents.com.au to find out how Varan Freestone can help.
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