australia's top conference and incentive destinations

Check out some of the finest corporate-minded retreats in Australia, from Byron Bay to Freycinet — you might want to stay on after closing the laptop.

By: Sarah Hinder

Elements of Byron, Byron Bay NSW

This sophisticated resort in beautiful Byron Bay is purpose-built to hold a range of conference and team getaway events, from large-scale pavilions and beachfront gardens to private rooms fitted with the latest tech support. Accommodation-wise, there are 193 free-standing villas dotted across the grounds’ 20 hectares of grasslands, natural waterways and forest. 
elementsofbyron.com.au

Q Station, Manly NSW

With its exceptional — and eerie — history that dates back to the 1830s, and its sweeping views across Sydney Harbour, today’s restoration of the original North Head Quarantine Station makes for a memorable visit. Set within 12 hectares of Sydney Harbour National Park, Q Station is home to 11 heritage-listed meeting rooms with harbour views, a grand ballroom and a private beach and wharf precinct able to accommodate up to 500 guests. For a unique team-building experience, brave a night-time ghost tour — but beware: the site is considered one of Australia’s most haunted. 
qstation.com.au

QT, Gold Coast Qld

An entertainment-focused destination, QT Gold Coast is the go-to choice for those wanting to throw anything from a quirky networking party to a bespoke celebration. Aside from the hotel’s 297 designer guest rooms, it’s decked out with 15 meeting rooms spread across three floors of dedicated conference space, and a grand-scale ballroom for up to 750 delegates. 
qthotelsandresorts.com/gold-coast

Freycinet Lodge, Freycinet National Park Tas

At the heart of the world-renowned Freycinet National Park is this cosy winter escape for corporates. Imagine panoramic coastal views of Great Oyster Bay and a log fire crackling in your homely cabin. An outstanding destination for foodies, the retreat serves up premium Tasmanian produce and local seafood at The Bay restaurant. Versatile conference facilities cater for anywhere between 10 and 110 delegates year-round, while the lodge’s special winter conference package — available between June 1 and August 31 — is reserved for smaller corporate groups looking to get down to business with hot chocolates in hand and wintry menus to look forward to. 
freycinetlodge.com.au

Mount Lofty House, Adelaide Hills SA

Originally built in 1852 as a summer residence overlooking Piccadilly Valley, Mount Lofty House has an interesting history of hosting Adelaide’s high society. An iconic manor home just 15 minutes from Adelaide’s CBD, the residence takes pride in hosting opulent corporate getaways and is equipped with meeting and presentation rooms able to accommodate up to 1,000 delegates. Signature experiences include hiking the Heysen Trail around Mount Lofty Summit, team building within the estate gardens, and group masterclasses. The residence is an exciting destination for epicureans, home to a 170-year-old cellar, the multi-award-winning Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, plus five-star accommodation. 
mtloftyhouse.com.au

Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn Springs Vic

Grange Bellinzona offers a hidden oasis nestled between historic towns Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, at the heart of Victoria’s spa country, around 115 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. An experience in five-star luxury, the retreat specialises in creating individual corporate getaways. Purpose-built as a superb conference and team-building centre, it houses five meeting rooms that hold up to 180 people with views across Wombat Forest.
grangecc.com.au/bellinzona-daylesford

Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, Broome WA

Expect brilliant sunsets over the turquoise Indian Ocean at this award-winning resort in the Kimberley. Tailor-made conference packages are their speciality, ensuring each company achieves what they set out to experience. The garden and pool areas provide private welcoming spaces, while formal dining and adaptable conference venues — which accommodate between 10 and 200 delegates — overlook the world-famous Cable Beach. 
cablebeachclub.com

Silky Oaks Lodge, Mossman Gorge Qld

Perched above the banks of the Mossman River, this boutique accommodation is surrounded by the lush Daintree. Set on 32 private hectares of the world’s oldest living rainforest, Silky Oaks provides a special conference environment. The resort houses two well-equipped meeting rooms set against a tropical backdrop and flooded with natural light, the largest catering for up to 100 delegates. For a more immersive experience, guests may conference and dine in a long-table setting upon the sands of the river.
silkyoakslodge.com.au

Wildman Wilderness Lodge, Mary River Wetlands NT

An escape at the edge of Kakadu National Park, Wildman Wilderness Lodge is an experience in bush luxury. Ideal for smaller corporate groups, the resort has meeting rooms, private dining spaces and a theatre seating up to 40 people. Its 25 rustic cabins and luxury safari tents can be booked out exclusively for corporate events. The lodge can also organise group tours of Kakadu National Park, airboat safaris across the Mary River Wetlands and helicopter tours. 
wildmanwildernesslodge.com.au

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW

Located just one minute from the International Convention Centre, Sydney’s newly refurbished exhibition and entertainment precinct, the new Sofitel is both perfectly located and equipped with competent facilities for professional meetings and events. The luxury hotel boasts nine flexible meeting and conference spaces, including an elegant ballroom with capacity for 450 people. For extra-curricular activities, there’s the French-inspired Atelier restaurant an infinity pool and the Champagne bar overlooking the Sydney skyline.
sofitelsydneydarlingharbour.com.au

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THIS ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED IN TRUE BLUE MAGAZINE, june/july 2018.