In a land that is as girt by sea as Australia is, there’s no escaping the abundance of water that we are fortunate enough to have surrounding many of our major cities and suburban hot spots. By that token, some of Australia’s hottest events and conference venues owe their popularity to their positioning in relation to bodies of water, whether it comes in the form of rivers, oceans, beaches and harbours or man-made water features such as swimming pools, ponds and water parks.
Tropical, nautical and aqua-based themes are best played out when the backdrop is already there to be utilised – be it a sparkling lagoon pool or the shallows of the sea lapping at the sides of a cruise liner. And there’s a raft of venues that provide the opportunity for delegates to meet by the sea, team-build on a river or have a cocktail overlooking the harbour. Adding the WOW factor to your next event may be as simple as adding water, and on the following pages you’ll find venues that make the best use of it.
Wrest Point
Positioned on the harbour with views of Hobart, shorelines and the wide expanse of the Tasman Bridge, Wrest Point’s conference rooms can cater from small numbers to 1600. In 2006, the venue underwent a major refurbishment, with new wall and floor coverings in most rooms, including the conference centre’s main area, the Tasman Room. This complimented the new walkway between the accommodation and conference centre, which opened in 2005. The Tasman Room features a hydraulic lift to enable large heavy equipment into the main flat-floor auditorium, plus built-in bar facilities and a press gallery. Wrest Point also features 269 guest rooms and suites, five bars and restaurants, casino, indoor pool, gym, tennis court, mini golf, and day spa. For more information, phone (03) 6211 1750 or visit www.wrestpoint.com.au.
Doltone House
Doltone House encompasses two unique Sydney-based venues, each with a quay-style theme to its décor or a location that overlooks the water. The original Doltone House venue located at Sylvania Waters was purpose built as a function centre in the late 1960s. The Doltone House name was established more than 35 years ago at this original site. The Sylvania Waters venue has three rooms, including the Monte Cristo lounge which can cater for up to 440 cocktail-style. Doltone House expanded to Darling Island, Pyrmont in January 2000 – July 2002 by revitalising the former casino site into event venue. Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf is located on the upper deck of Jones Bay Wharf at Piers 19-21, Pyrmont Point, offering a waterfront location on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour with views of the city and Harbour Bridge. For more information, visit www.doltonehouse.com.au.
Couran Cove Island Resort
With its own 22 kilometre surf beach and an 84-berth marina, Couran Cove Island Resort is fully equipped to accommodate a range of water-based activities and events options. Located on South Stradbroke Island, just a 40-minute ferry ride from the Gold Coast, the resort is set on the waterfront, in and around the marina and lagoon, and is partial to the cool sea breezes emanating from the Broadwater. When it comes to events and conferences, the resort offers a great range of outdoor options, including the beach pavilion which caters for 400 cocktail-style, the spa island which holds 160 banquet-style, and the picnic ground which will seat 100 for a buffet-style dinner. Couran Cove Island Resort also has 11 indoor rooms, the largest with the capacity to cater for to up to 300. Delegates can choose between deluxe, suite, lodge or villa-style guest rooms. The resort also features a day spa, swimming pool, tennis courts, dining facilities and a huge range of watersport activities for incentives. For more information telephone (07) 5509 3000 or visit www.couran.com.
Luna Park Sydney
With the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House as its backdrop, Luna Park Sydney is not only a great place to enjoy rides and games and relive your childhood, but is also a prime location to hold a conference or event. Offering unique harbourside surrounds, the Crystal Palace Venues at Luna Park will leave a lasting impression on guests to events both small and large. Its function spaces include the Big Dipper Room which is perfect for pre-function drinks, The Taj Mahal Room named after Luna Park’s famous antique mechanical organ, and the Sunset Room which can host a cocktail function of 350 with amazing twilight views across Sydney Harbour. The largest venue is the Big Top which features a large auditorium that can seat 2000 people in tiered theatre-style seating, 1100 for dinner or 2900 for cocktails. For more information, phone (02) 9033 7540 or visit www.lunaparksydney.com.
Ice Cube Seafood Grill
Located at Cockle Bay Wharf, Ice Cube Seafood Grill is one of Sydney’s newest restaurants located at Darling Harbour on the ground floor of the Imax Theatre Complex. Ice Cube offers an intimate waterfront dining experience like no other. Seating up to 180 at a time, it is the perfect spot for long lunches, and pre- or post-event and conference dining. The restaurants menu features a wide range of seafood dishes and award-winning wines. In addition to the main restaurant, Ice Cube’s bar area offers the perfect start to any meal – a pre-dinner drink enjoyed in style overlooking the waters of Darling Harbour. Its prime location means it not only offers great water views, but it is also central to some of Sydney’s major attractions and a short stroll from the city. For more information on Ice Cube Seafood Grill, phone The Dockside Group on (02) 9261 3777 or visit www.docksidegroup.com.au.
Located at the southern end of one of Sydney’s most popular northern beaches, Manly Beach, this contemporary hotel provides an intimate beachside experience steeped in style.
Opening less than 12 months ago in May 2006, The Sebel Manly Beach has been totally refurbished to reflect the beachside atmosphere of Manly, and offers 83 guest rooms, including studio, one- and two-bedroom suites, many of which have views of the sparkling ocean across the road.
And when it comes to rooms with a view, the hotel also offers three meeting rooms complete with balconies overlooking Manly Beach, plus two function spaces overlooking the poolside terrace which cater for up to 150 cocktail-style. The beachside rooms can take up to 80 banquet-style, and the adjoining beachside bar and balcony has space for 30 cocktail-style – perfect for evening functions or as a breakout room with a difference. Cafes, restaurants and bars are also just a short stroll from the hotel, including the new Will and Toby’s restaurant and bar which is proving a hit with both guests and locals in Manly. The Sebel Manly Beach’s central location also means pre and post conference activities are right on the doorstep of delegates, such as snorkelling, kayaking, ocean adventure tours, the zoo, galleries, museums, and boutique shopping.
Being by the beach also means delegates can take full advantage of what Manly Beach’s surf has to offer. While surfing may not be everyone’s cup of tea, you’d be surprised just how many delegates are willing to give it a go, or who already surf on a regular basis and would love to show off their skills to colleagues and onlookers.
For beginners, Manly Surf School makes learning how to surf easy. It’s Sydney’s largest surf school, and has been teaching surfing in Sydney for almost 20 years. They can take out groups of between 40 and 60 at Manly and between 150 and 200 at Long Reef, and will supply all surfers with wetsuits and safe, soft, stable surfboards that are easy to balance, paddle, stand and surf on. The qualified instructors are all very friendly, so even your clumsiest delegates won’t be deterred from having a go. For more information about group surfing lessons, visit www.manlysurfschool.com. For more information about The Sebel Manly Beach, phone 02 9977 8866 or visit www.mirvac.com.au.
Dreamworld
When it comes to all things water, Dreamworld on the Gold Coast has it covered. In the last 12 months, the themepark, which is located at Coomera near Surfers Paradise, has added several new water-based attractions and rides to its artillery. This has included the FlowRider attraction which was launched in June 2006, and also the $60 million themepark, WhiteWater World which opened in December 2006 – the first new Gold Coast themepark in 14 years. This new water-powered playground will provide a four hectare unique venue for meetings and events. Dreamworld as an events venue is flexible and easily themed. Home to Tiger Island, Nick Central, The Australian Wildlife Experience, Wiggles World, and Channel Ten’s Big Brother, the themepark is bursting with must-do rides and must-see shows, and offers several indoor and outdoor areas perfect for setting up your next event. Why not throw a beach party at Ocean Parade, where up to 500 delegates can enjoy some of the wildest rides in the themepark and live music under the stars. For more information telephone (07) 5588 1111 or visit www.dreamworld.com.au.
Novotel Pacific Bay, Coffs Harbour
Novotel Pacific Bay Resort has a beachfront location at Charlesworth Bay, just three kilometres north of Coffs Harbour. With a purpose-built Pacific Conference Centre which opened in February 2001, the resort offers nine conference rooms, the largest seating up to 500, all located on the one level adjacent to the hotel’s reception. Novotel Pacific Bay Resort also has a semi-permanent marquee which can be erected on the tennis courts. Other features of the hotel include 180 guest rooms and suites, nine-hole golf course, three swimming pools, four tennis courts, fitness special, Bayside Spa Centre, and a cocktail bar and restaurant. For more information, phone 1300 363 360 or visit www.pacificbayresort.com.au.
Radisson Resort Gold Coast
Set in the secluded Palm Meadows, the Radisson Resort Gold Coast provides an oasis-like atmosphere for events and conferences. The resort is only a stone’s throw from the Gold Coast’s sandy white beaches and waterways, and therefore has access to a great range of local watersports and team-building activities. For meetings and events, the resort has 13 meeting rooms. Aside from the Masters Ballroom which can cater for up to 700 theatre-style, the largest function space is poolside to the Oasis Pool. This area can accommodate 240 cocktail-style. The resort also features 308 guest rooms, each a balcony or private courtyard, four floodlit tennis courts, a restaurant, two swimming pools, a bar, and outdoor spa, and a health and beauty day spa, plus two championship golf courses are located adjacent to the property. For more information, phone (07) 5555 7700 or visit www.radisson.com/goldcoastau.
Sydney Opera House
Set on one of the world’s most picturesque harbours and surrounded by the beautiful city of Sydney, Sydney Opera House offers a breathtaking backdrop for events and conferences of all shapes and sizes. Its inspiring location means delegates rarely walk away from meetings and events at the historic venue unimpressed by their experience. Sydney Opera House offers a range of venues, many adjoined by spectacular foyers with panoramic harbour views. Possibly one of the most impressive venues is the Forecourt – an open-air venue with views of the harbour and a backdrop of the world-famous white sails. The Concert Hall is the largest interior venue, and with a high-vaulted ceiling and interior finishes of brush box and white birch timber, it is designed primarily for acoustic performances. The maximum seating capacity is 2679, with approximately 2100 seats situated in front of the stage. For a more intimate space, The Studio is a contemporary performing arts space, the smallest in the complex, which is designed primarily for new music and contemporary performance. It is also suitable for cabaret, small theatrical productions and banquet-style events. The maximum seating capacity ranges from 220 to 350. For more information, phone (02) 9250 7111 or visit www.sydneyoperahouse.com.
WatersEdge
WatersEdge is a waterfront venue which provides an ideal setting for events and conferences wanting to make the most of harbour views. Overlooking Sydney Harbour and situated directly underneath the Harbour Bridge, WatersEdge all but floats on water. Standing on the end of Pier 1, this unique venue offers a contemporary and stylish setting to host private events and functions catering for up to 800 at any one time. A recent refurbishment to the venue included new lighting, sound, screens and other technical features added to the function spaces to enhance WatersEdge’s flexibilities when it comes to meetings and events. For more information on WatersEdge, phone The Dockside Group on (02) 9261 3777 or visit www.docksidegroup.com.au.
Double Island
Situated just ten minutes off the coast of Palm Cove in Tropical North Queensland, Double Island is reserved exclusively for one group at a time, making it the ultimate location for off-site meetings, conference, and incentive programs. It offers ten one-bedroom garden view rooms with private balconies and ten one-bedroom apartments with either a private plunge pool or outdoor spa. The retreat’s recreational facilities convert into a relaxed, tropical venue for conferences and events. The games room becomes an ideal conference room for 40 delegates, the indoor cinema accommodates up to 20 for audiovisual presentations, and the library serves as a break-out room for smaller groups.
Use the majestic Long Room restaurant with its high ceiling and open sides for venue for a cocktail party or open-air presentation. Double Island also features a pool and outdoor spa and gym, plus an array of activities such as kayaking, windsurfing and canoeing. For more information, phone the sales office on (02) 9262 4838 or visit www.doubleisland.com.au.
Captain Cook Cruises
For a water-based event with a difference, you can’t beat getting aboard a boat and having your event afloat. Imagine a poolside cocktail function onboard a cruise ship, overlooking the ocean. Or a pre-dinner drinks sailing experience which transports guests from one venue to another. Captain Cook Cruises has 16 ships and operates on two islands in Australia and Fiji, and can cater for large events which need overnight accommodation to small meetings or sightseeing tours. Taking delegates out to sea guarantees attendance for starters, but also offers a relaxed environment, conducive to learning. Captain Cook Cruises’ conference rooms offer natural light and access to outdoor decks. Team-building activities such as clay pigeon shooting, kayaking and jet boat rides are also a breeze to organise. Or you could consider a dining experience out on the water as a nice touch to a land-based conference or event. For more information, phone (02) 9206 1100 or visit www.captaincook.com.au.
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