7 reasons to host an incentive in Adelaide

Hosting events in Adelaide is a breeze, with an array of impressive venues on offer. Boasting 20,000 sq m (215, 278 sq. ft) of floor space, Adelaide Convention Centre is conveniently located on North Terrace within easy walking distance of several hotels. A little further up the Terrace is the National Wine Centre, nestled within the Adelaide Botanic Gardens offering six different function spaces which can host up to 1,000 guests. Across the River Torrens you’ll find Adelaide Oval, which has 25 event spaces including a huge rooftop terrace that can accommodate up to 1,500 guests for a cocktail function. For a venue that’s sure to surprise and delight, consider the d’Arenberg Cube in nearby McLaren Vale – an extraordinary five-storey Rubik’s Cube-shaped venue in the middle of a vineyard.

Finding activities to fill an incentive program in Adelaide is a walk in the park, starting with Aboriginal owned and operated Bookabee Tours' private guided walking tours of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. An Aboriginal guide takes guests on a leisurely stroll through the gardens and provides insights into the Indigenous history of the area and traditional uses of native plants for food, medicine and implements. For a dose of wildlife, head to Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills – just 20 minutes from the city, this National Parks-managed sanctuary allows groups to get up close to koalas, kangaroos and wombats in a natural setting. For foodies, a guided tour of the iconic Adelaide Central Market is an essential experience; and for thrill-seekers, arrange a morning activity with a twist in the form of a sunrise yoga session on the roof of the Adelaide Oval stadium with RoofClimb. 

Business events groups will be spoiled for choice when it comes to premium accommodation options in Adelaide, with several new hotel developments in recent years. The upscale Sofitel Adelaide which opened in late 2022 offers 251 rooms and suites combining French elegance and vintage decor with views of the Adelaide skyline. InterContinental Hotels Group has opened Hotel Indigo Adelaide Market, a 145-room boutique hotel with striking brick archways and a design that celebrates the colours and heritage of its locale. Part of the A$330 million SkyCity entertainment precinct, Eos by SkyCity is a five-star, 120-room hotel with strong sustainability credentials; in fact, it’s been carbon-neutral since opening in December 2020. For some of the best views in the city, opt for the luxurious new Crowne Plaza Adelaide which spans 36 floors of Adelaide’s tallest building in the city’s trendy East End. 

Adelaide’s restaurant scene has exploded in the last decade. The city’s easy access to fertile farmland means fresh produce is in abundance, and the waters off the coast yield some of Australia’s best seafood. Watch the city’s chefs work their magic with these ingredients at Osteria Oggi; a high-end Italian restaurant with a private underground dining room. Or take a chef-guided tour of Restaurant Botanic’s kitchen garden before lunching at the acclaimed restaurant, housed in an elegant heritage rotunda in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Just a short drive from the city is Penfolds Magill Estate, one of the Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia which offers a range of dining options for groups from private functions in the subterranean cellar to exclusive use of the 34-seat Chef-Hatted restaurant.

South Australia is globally renowned for its production of premium wine, and several of the state’s key wine regions are just a short drive from Adelaide. Just 25 minutes from the city lies the Adelaide Hills – a picturesque region known for its production of fine chardonnay and pinot noir, with more than 50 cellar doors offering tastings and tours. In the historic Barossa Valley groups can unearth winemaking secrets of prominent producers like Seppeltsfield, Jacob’s Creek and St Hugo – part of the Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia collective – and then rest their heads at The Louise, one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia. Slightly further afield is the Clare Valley, known for its production of premium riesling, and just 45 minutes south of Adelaide is the coastal wine region of McLaren Vale which is home to more top wineries including d’Arenberg, Hardys Tintara and biodynamic producer Gemtree Wines.

Adelaide’s beaches are sensational. The city centre is just 20 minutes from the coast, and popular spots like Glenelg and Henley Beach offer endless stretches of clean sand and clear water, beachfront dining and postcard-worthy jetties that jut out into the ocean. Further south, the Fleurieu Peninsula boasts jaw-dropping cliffs and wide expanses of sand. Take a four-wheel-drive along Sellicks Beach with luxury tour company Coast and Co, or dine on the clifftop at the Star of Greece overlooking Port Willunga. For groups with a sense of adventure, the calm waters of the Gulf St Vincent make the perfect playground for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, boating and fishing.

Just 40 minutes by plane from Adelaide Airport, a jaunt to Kangaroo Island can add a generous dose of nature and wildlife to an incentive program. Due to open in late 2023 is Southern Ocean Lodge 2.0, which is being rebuilt after it was lost to fire in 2020. This Luxury Lodge of Australia will provide an ultra-premium accommodation offering for groups visiting the island, with 25 luxurious suites boasting magnificent ocean views. Close by to the lodge is Seal Bay Conservation Park, where groups can take a guided stroll among the resident colony of wild sea lions. Exceptional Kangaroo Island can take groups on a guided exploration of Flinders Chase National Park, which features the striking geological formations of Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. The island is known for its food and wine, too, which can be experienced in the form of a degustation menu at Sunset Food and Wine; a Chef-Hatted restaurant with breathtaking views and a focus on seafood and local produce.