If you’re seeking style and sophistication, good food, and a taste of the quintessentially Australian laid-back attitude to life then Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, just one hour from Brisbane, is the place to be.
 The Sunshine Coast has been popular with Australian conference and incentive groups for years – particularly those who are seeking a coastal destination without the fast pace of some other regions.
The Sunshine Coast centres on the townships of Noosa and Coolum but is now far more than just these two sleepy hamlets. Today it spans the length and breadth of the coast, from the Great Sandy National Park in the north to Caloundra in the south, and everywhere in between. Hotel and infrastructure development in recent years has been huge. New properties are popping up everywhere – certainly great news for the discerning incentive traveller, with many more first-rate venues to choose from than ever before.
Already holding about 17 per cent of the Queensland business events market, the future is indeed bright for the Sunshine Coast as more venues expand, refurbish and redefine the region as a whole.
With excellent air access from major Australian cities, and experienced personnel who understand the nuances of convention and incentive travellers, the Sunshine Coast really is on a wave of success. Aside from the stunning weather, one of the reasons for its popularity is its wide and varied attractions – everything from team building, golf, 4WD expeditions, adrenalin-charged go-karting, surf schools, fine food and even designer shopping. Large resorts pride themselves on their ability to think outside the box, and their efforts are paying great dividends for the destination as a whole.
The destination has just undergone a re-branding strategy – Sunshine Coast Since 1966, which includes the tagline – Find Your Space. Finding your own space on the Sunshine Coast is most definitely a must.
ITINERARY IDEAS
DAY 1
A great introduction to the region is to get the adrenaline pumping with a visit to the Big Kart track (Australia’s largest commercial go-kart track), and to experience the heart-stopping bungy bullet.
Visit the home of the famous Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, who sadly died in September this year, at Australia Zoo and enjoy the many Australian native animals and the spectacular crocodile show from VIP seats. Feast on a five-star themed picnic luncheon of fresh local seafood and Australian wine while enjoying the 180 degree views of the surrounding Glasshouse Mountains from the beautiful Mary Cairncross Rainforest Park before heading across the spectacular Blackall mountain range for a spot of shopping in the delightful hillside art and craft village of Montville.
Winding down the range we sight the beautiful clean beaches of the Sunshine Coast and nothing could be a greater way to get sand between the feet.
A helicopter then delivers you to the door of your international standard resort.
A relaxing massage in the spa and time for relaxation before an unforgettable welcome dinner at a leading Sunshine Coast resort.
DAY 2
A spiritual start to the day with yoga and tai chi on the uncrowded surf beach followed by a hearty Australian breakfast. After breakfast a gleaming Harley Davidson motorcycle takes you to the famous Eumundi Market, bustling with local artists, crafts people, music and buskers.
After lunch we take in some yachting across the clear blue waters off Mooloolaba – perhaps spotting a few dolphins along the way.
Head back to your resort for some relaxation before enjoying a sumptuous dinner and Australian wine at one of the Sunshine Coast’s leading venues.
DAY 3
Make the most of your last day in paradise and enjoy an early morning game of golf on a championship course, or perhaps indulge in a final spa treatment before we farewell you from the Sunshine Coast with a transfer to the airport for your return flight to your home port.
Where to meet, eat and sleep on the sunshine coast is no easy task. not because the destination lacks quality venues but rather it has so many to offer.
Novotel Twin Waters Resort
Located only five to ten minutes from the airport, Novotel Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast is built around a six hectare salt water lagoon and offers 380 guest rooms set among tropical gardens. The resort has a range of facilities including four restaurants, three bars, tennis courts, a day spa and an 18-hole championship golf course. The Novotel Twin Waters Resort also has seven meeting rooms and a range of unique outdoor event spaces designed to cater for groups both large and small in size. The Wandiny Room is the resort’s largest venue, seating 1000 theatre-style and 650 banquet-style. For more information telephone (07) 5448 8000 or visit www.twinwatersresort.com.au.
Ramada Pelican Waters
Caloundra’s first and only four-and-a-half star hotel, Ramada Pelican Waters is positioned overlooking the rolling greens, structured fairways and picturesque waterways of the Greg Norman-designed Club Pelican golf course. The property offers 114 guest rooms made up of one, two and three bedroom suites and apartments, the Vida Health & Spa, tennis courts, a lagoon-style swimming pool and a 140-seat restaurant. The resort’s conference facilities offers 1400 square metres of meeting space, including the Tibrogargan ballroom which caters for 340 cocktail-style, and the outdoor Function Lawn which caters for 180 banquet-style. For more information telephone (07) 5437 4666 or visit www.ramadapelicanwaters.com.au.
Australis Noosa Lakes Resort
Situated on the shores of Lake Doonella, opposite the Noosa River, the Australis Noosa Lakes Resort features 188 beach house-style rooms, three lagoon-style swimming pools and poolside barbeques, and is only 150 metres from Noosa Harbour marina where there are a range of cafes and restaurants. The Noosa Convention & Exhibition Centre is located within the grounds of the resort, and offers five meeting rooms, the largest of which caters for 350 cocktail-style. For more information telephone (07) 5447 1400 or visit www.australishotels.com.
Caloundra Cultural Centre
Located in the heart of Caloundra, walking distance from a wide selection of accommodation options, the Caloundra Cultural Centre offers one of the largest meetings facilities on the Sunshine Coast, with the capacity to seat 20-900 delegates. It offers underground car parking, three fully equipped bars, full in-house catering, extensive foyer areas and two verandahs suitable for functions, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment. The conference facilities include four small meeting rooms for between 50 to 150 people, the Playhouse Theatre with fixed tiered theatre seating for 332, and the main theatre with 900 seat capacity theatre-style and 800 banquet-style. For more information telephone (07) 5491 4240 or visit www.caloundracentre.com.au.
Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa
With 175 guest rooms, including seven Noosa Lifestyle Spa Studios and 29 suites with private balconies, the Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa can accommodate up to 350 guests. The resort is situated in the centre of Noosa, with the Noosa River on one side and Hastings Street on the other, and offers a fitness centre, two restaurants, a pool and the Aqua Day Spa. The resort’s conference facilities include eight meeting rooms, the largest space catering for 500 cocktail-style in the Noosa Ballroom. For more information telephone (07) 5449 4888 or visit www.sheraton.com/noosa.
HYATT REGENCY COOLUM
The Hyatt Regency Coolum is one of the Sunshine Coast’s best-known resorts and certainly one of its most popular for business events. Located just 10 minutes from the airport the property has 324 accommodation rooms in a range of different configurations, with a total capacity for 900 guests at one time. It has 19 meeting rooms, the largest of which can comfortably seat up to 1000 delegates. The beauty of this resort, which is set on 140 hectares of resort grounds, is that it is so private. The dedicated conference venue blends into the entire resort and is centrally located to the majority of accommodation rooms. For details telephone (07) 5446 1234, email coolum@hyatt.com.au or visit www.coolum.regency.hyatt.com.
Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village
Set among the rainforest and sandy dunes of heritage-listed Fraser Island, the Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village offers 152 guest rooms and 110 two and three bedroom self-contained villas, three restaurants, four bars with nightly entertainment, and a swimming pool. The four-star resort’s conference facilities include the main function room which seats 300 theatre-style or 180 banquet-style and can also be divided into three separate rooms. Unique outdoor venues are also available. For more information telephone (07) 3032 2814 or visit www.kingfisherbay.com.
NOOSA BLUE RESORT
One of the strong performers in the Sunshine Coast for business events is Noosa Blue Resort, overlooking the Noosa CBD, and minutes from Hastings Street and Noosa’s main beach. The property has 65 stylish one-bedroom spa suites and penthouses. All suites feature a balcony and individual spa while the penthouse suites offer spectacular views from private roof terraces, each with a barbecue, entertaining area and heated spa. The property has a total of three meeting rooms, the largest of which can seat 216 delegates. They are also divisible into various configurations. It is well suited to more boutique-style meetings. For details telephone (07) 5447 5699, email conference@noosblue.com.au or visit www.noosablue.com.au for further details.
Need something to do ‘beyond the ballroom’? do your delegates need a break, need to unwind, or simply need to chill out? then have a read of these options.
Noosa Oceanrider
Another great adrenalin-charged activity can be found taking a spin with Noosa Oceanrider, a speedboat with attitude. Oceanrider is said to help overworked delegates blow away the conference cobwebs and really let their hair down. Adrenalin-charged wave jumping action and high speed manoeuvres will apparently have groups laughing and screaming with delight. Visit www.oceanrider.biz for further details.
Big Kart Track
For those seeking a bit more of an adrenalin fix then its hard to go past the thrill of kart racing. The Big Kart Track is located at Landsborough, again just a short drive from the majority of accommodation venues on the Sunshine Coast. Tailor-made races can be created for groups. For details visit www.bigkart.com.au.
Spirit House
If you enjoy cooking and would like to learn a little bit more about Thai cooking then you must visit the Spirit House in Yandina, just a short drive from most Sunshine Coast conference venues. The restaurant is clustered around a waterlily pond and set in lush tropical gardens dotted with Thai sculptures and ceramics. The cooking school is located on-site but be warned: the cooking school is booked out months in advance so be early if you want your group to try their hand at Thai cooking at this venue. For details visit www.spirithouse.com.au.
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