When I was asked to visit Townsville in September this year (for the first time) to suss out the region’s business event offerings, I must admit my expectations of what I thought was a remote country town were not sky-high. And if you’ve never been to Townsville, it’s quite possible that your expectations, like mine, would also completely underestimate the potential this destination has when it come to meetings and events.
As I discovered, this tropical municipality not only has a mass of accommodation, meeting, and off-site dining options to choose from, it also offers some of Australia’s steadiest and sunniest weather conditions – making outdoor proceedings very attractive to planners who don’t want to construct a truckload of “bad weather” contingency plans.
Townsville and its twin city of Thuringowa make up Australia’s largest tropical city, and much like other areas of northern Queensland it’s brimful with palm trees, glistening waters and heritage-listed rainforest. But the thing that struck me by surprise was the cosmopolitan edge this city has. In fact, I would even be tempted to describe Townsville as a funky hub of activity. I was totally inspired after wandering the two-and-a-half kilometre stretch of beachfront-boulevard, otherwise known as the Strand, which is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars, swimming pools, sporting and recreational facilities, walking paths and an impressive water playground that makes you wish you were a five-year-old again.
Meeting up
The city has a vast selection of meeting venues both with and without accommodation, and new facilities seem to be popping up all over the city at a rapid pace. The Hotel Ibis is the newest hotel to the region, having commenced operations in August this year (when it was officially opened by Prime Minister John Howard) as the first international hotel to open in Townsville in almost 20 years. On the same strip of road, better known as Palmer Street, there is a handful of other hotels currently undergoing construction including the Ramada Encore Hotel, the Grand Mercure, and the Gateway Apartments which will consist of 112 guest units plus meeting facilities. Just nearby, Quality Hotel Southbank & Convention Centre has expanded its accommodation to include 12 brand new two-bedroom apartments. Further renovations are also underway at Jupiters Townsville Hotel & Casino, which is a prime meeting venue with capacity to hold up to 700 cocktail-style in its Grand Ballroom alone. Jupiters is at the centre of a multi-million dollar expansion of the Townsville Breakwater that will see the development of over 500 waterfront homes and apartments and a new waterside boardwalk/café precinct.
Townsville’s CBD tells the story that the city is ripe for growth, bolstering up its accommodation to tackle both a growing demand in tourism and business events in the region. Its existing facilities cover many bases, ranging from the distinctly unique in Reef HQ aquarium where you can dine surrounded by fish tanks, to the large-scale and multi-functional in the Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre (known to locals as “the centre”) which has an auditorium that can seat 5200 in theatre mode or 2500 cocktail-style. The heritage-style Quality Hotel Southbank & Convention Centre caters for 500 cocktail-style and has a variety of breakout rooms, including its gorgeous foyer area complete with chandeliers and a stylish bar.
Weather worries?
You’d find it hard to get a job as a weatherman or weatherwoman in Townsville – with an average of 300 sunny days a year, you’d only need to forecast about 65 days’ worth of possible showers and cloud (actually, working 65 days of the year doesn’t sound too bad now that I think of it…). Townsville’s good weather means there’s no shortage of outdoor venues with the ability to cater for business events. Billabong Sanctuary is certainly one that warrants a mention. Just 20 minutes from the CBD, this interactive wildlife park with 25 hectares of bush can hold twilight functions of up to 1000 guests.
And don’t forget Magnetic Island, or “Maggie Island” as it is affectionately referred to locally. A short 25-minute ferry ride trip from Townsville’s city centre, this tropical getaway has several options for meetings. In fact, Dawn Combs, manager of Townsville Enterprise Convention Bureau expects that Magnetic Island will gain further attention from the business events industry in the coming months.
“The addition of new conference facilities to Magnetic Island will see the interest in holding business events there continuing to grow,” Ms Combs said.
“And in the Townsville region, we have all of the amenities and modern conveniences one would expect in a major city. But add to that the charm and friendliness of a small community [Townsville and Thuringowa’s population is around 160,000].”
It’s the mixture between community-feel, contemporary facilities, great weather, sandy beaches, and the accessibility of the destination that really does the Townsville region justice. So if you’ve experienced the capital cities and are looking for somewhere new to hold a conference, Townsville might look at home on your “to do” list. And if you haven’t visited the region recently, if at all, may I suggest the best way to decide whether it’s the right one for your next event is to see the city for yourself. Like me, you’ll be pleasantly surprised what you can find there.
 JUPITERS TOWNSVILLE HOTEL & CASINO
* 8 Versatile Function Rooms* Conference Facilities for up to 800
* Inspirational Breakout Areas * Exciting Onsite Dining Options
* 194 Superior Rooms & Suites * Audio Visual On-Site Support
* Spectacular Water Views * Multi Award Winning Property
1800 079 210 www.jupiterstownsville.com.au
 TOWNSVILLE ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION CENTRE
The Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre is the perfect place for your special event or conference. Whether you are planning a sophisticated cocktail party for 50, a gala dinner for 400 to 1,000 guests, a conference for up to 5,000 or an exhibition, the options are endless. The Centre encompasses seven comfortable and stylishly appointed rooms that can be used individually or collectively in a variety of modes.
To find out more about services and facilities, please visit www.tecc.net.au or call 07 4771 4222.
 BILLABONG SANCTUARY
Where else on Earth could your guests have such a unique dining experience? The Billabong Sanctuary offers twenty-five acres of natural bushland, tropical rainforest and expansive wetlands. We can cater for groups from 30 - 1000 people. Choose from a variety of packages such as Breakfast with the Birds, a BBQ Lunch by the Billabong, Cocktails with Crocodiles or Dinner under the stars - we are certain to have a setting to suit your event. Along with such beautiful surroundings, our experienced team of rangers are on hand to provide the best interactive wildlife experience your guests will ever encounter – we guarantee it. Bring your own cameras as opportunities abound to get up close and personal with our amazing native animals. Visit us at www.billabongsanctuary.com.au
Email: rangers@billabongsanctuary.com.au Phone - 074778 8344
 TOWNSVILLE'S NEWEST INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
Located on Palmer Street Townsville’s well known dining precinct and conveniently located just seven minutes drive from Townsville airport, this modern contemporary hotel is a short stroll across Victoria footbridge to Flinders Mall and the CBD. Close to the nightclub area of Flinders Street East, Reef HQ Aquarium and the Museum of Tropical Queensland. Take the time to relax in the modern décor and soak up the atmosphere of Sugatrain Lounge Bar and Café, serving modern cuisine all day, the perfect place to unwind and entertain.
Reservations - H5935@accor.com Telephone: (07) 4753 2000
Contact: Trudy Zissler – General Manager (email: trudy.zissler@accor.com)
 ROUX BLOND CREATIVE CATERING
Our cuisine combines classical cookery and modern techniques, offering our clients restaurant quality food, beverage and service no matter where the location. So put aside your preconceptions of taste and forget about your dislikes; trust us as you would any other professional to perform to the best of our technical abilities and make your experience one of surprise, delight and above all, fun. Let us take you on a culinary journey…
* SELECTED CATERER NQ TOURISM AWARDS 2005, 2006
* REGIONAL WINNERS RESTAURANT AND CATERING QLD 2006
P: (07) 4724 4018 M: 0438 197 111 E: annemarie@rouxblond.com.au W: rouxblond.com.au
 ENTHUSIASM, EXPERIENCE & FLAIR
Mazmac Event Management can provide the personal service you require for your next event. We treat each event with enthusiasm, experience and flair.
Our highly motivated Mazmac team have an excellent record of successful events and conferences to their name. We have a proven track record of success in providing management and support to a variety of organisations including the arts, cultural, sporting and heavy industry including the mining sector. Our team have the experience in all facets of event management from conferences, festivals, gala dinners, workshops, event consultation and staff training sessions. We have the experience to foresee and overcome any obstacles to running a vibrant and exceptional event.
For further information please contact Lynn Mazza (07) 47741845 email admin@mazmac.com.au website www.mazmac.com.au
 BUSINESS MATTERS at the SOUTHBANK CONVENTION CENTRE
Do you have business matters to attend to? Planning a conference or seminar? At the Southbank Convention Centre we understand the importance of doing business and doing it well. Our multi award-winning venue provides unique facilities for all events including meetings, conferences, functions and trade expos. Experience the new choice in event venues in tropical Townsville – the Southbank Convention Centre. Because at the Southbank Convention Centre your business matters.
Tel: (07)47265222 Email: centre@southbankhotel.com.au
 RIVERWAY: THE HEART OF THURINGOWA
Located in the heart of Thuringowa on the magnificent Ross River, Riverway offers a dynamic combination of residential, commercial, cultural, sports and leisure activities. With two huge swimming lagoons, the Riverway Arts Centre, Pinnacles Gallery, the Riverwalk and parklands, there truly is so much to explore. For the thrills of high level competition, you won’t want to miss the events at Riverway Stadium, set to open mid 2007. Boasting a capacity of 100,000 people, the facility will attract AFL and Cricket competitions at national level, while also catering for community events and sports. More adventure is still to come at Riverway with the Itara residential and River Village precincts to bring a whole new living, shopping and dining experience to Riverway.
http://riverway.thuringowa.qld.gov.au Phone: 07 47738411 Email: council@thuringowa.qld.gov.au
 MERCURE TOWNSVILLE, FOR THE BEST IN THE REGION
Work, rest or play with the most professional conference and events services in Townsville. Experience our unique gardens, newly refurbished foyer, restaurant and poolside area with soothing water features and welcoming bar. Queenslander style accommodation rooms offer water, garden or pool views. With a full range of meetings rooms for 4 to 400 people, and unique break-out areas, Mercure Townsvile ensures success. Woolcock Steet, Townsville 4810 Telephone: 0747 22222
Fax: 0747 251384 Email: H1753-SB01@accor.com.au
 REEF HQ AQUARIUM
Deliver your message in a fresh style with shimmering tropical fish, eerie predators and stunning live coral reef galleries as a backdrop at the award-winning Reef HQ Aquarium. As the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium, Reef HQ provides a window to the reef like no other right in the heart of the Townsville CBD and is fully equipped with catering and AV facilities. Our professional divers can also deliver your message from the depths of the coral reef or predator tanks. www.reefHQ.com.au
 ONE BRIGHT POINT RESORT - BARRIER REEF
The New - Mantra One Bright Point offers the ultimate in oceanfront resort accommodation and conferencing and is located only 20 minutes by ferry from Townsville on the beautiful heritage listed Magnetic Island. This private retreat is nestled amongst pristine, natural island beauty located right beside the Island’s spectacular new harbour and shopping precinct and within walking distance to over 23 beaches, bays, cafes, local galleries, a golf course, attractions and tours.
Offering spacious beachhouse style apartments with uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea, with fantastic facilities such as 4 swimming pools, barbeque facilities, equipped gyms and boardroom, One Bright Point is the ideal solution for corporate entertaining.
Ph: 1800 809 533 www.onebrightpoint.com.au
 EXPLORE THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
In less than two hours from Townsville, Sunsea Cruises can have you and your delegates snorkeling or scuba diving through the crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The full day reef cruise includes our sumptuous tropical buffet lunch with prawns, an educational presentation with our Marine Biologist, glass bottom boat tours and unlimited snorkeling.
Conference group rates available. Phone: (07) 4771 3855 Fax: (07) 4771 3955
Email: marketing@sunferries.com.au Web: www.sunseacruises.com.au
A short 25-minute trip from Townsville’s city centre travelling across the water on a Sunferries catamaran is all it takes to reach tropical Magnetic Island. And despite the fact the entire island is only about 50 square kilometres in size, when it comes to accommodation and meetings facilities you won’t be without choice.
For starters, the four-star Magnetic International Resort in Nelly Bay is set among 10 acres of tropical gardens and offers a great setting for meetings. Its conference room caters for 120 banquet-style, and it also has a well-lit outdoor pool garden which can seat 150 banquet-style, plus a restaurant and spacious undercover terrace.
Waterfront resorts Peppers Blue on Blue Resort and Mantra One Bright Point are the island’s newest accommodations. Opening in December, Mantra One Bright Point will offer 124 apartment-style guest rooms plus space for meetings.
Scheduled to open in early 2007, Peppers Blue on Blue Resort will offer 157 apartment-style guest rooms once construction is completed.
The island itself offers palm-fringed beaches, a colony of around 2,000 wild koalas, 186 species of birds (a bird watcher’s paradise), horse riding, diving, a nine-hole golf course, mini mokes and topless cars for hire, and with three-quarters of the island covered in national parkland, there’s an almost endless amount of walking tracks to embark on.
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