REGIONAL DESTINATIONS FOR YOUR NEXT INCENTIVE

Barossa Valley

Groups heading to South Australia are spoiled for choice when it comes to wine regions. Perhaps most renowned is the Barossa Valley, which is around an hour’s drive or a short scenic helicopter flight from the city of Adelaide. The exquisite 15-room Luxury Lodges of Australia property, The Louise, was purchased by Baillie Lodges in 2021 and is undergoing a refurbishment in 2022 which is sure to impress small groups looking for an exclusive buyout. The Ultimate Winery Experiences of Australia are also well-equipped for business events groups, offering a range of activities from tasting your birth year tawny at Seppeltsfield to a Riedel masterclass followed by lunch in the vines at St Hugo. For foodies, arrange a cooking class at Maggie Beer’s The Farm Eatery and Experience Centre, or an intimate lunch at the rustic Hentley Farm which has earned a reputation as one of the Barossa’s finest dining experiences.

Shoalhaven

A popular destination for Sydneysiders, the Shoalhaven region is a hidden gem for business events groups heading to New South Wales. Flanked by mountains on one side and 100 magnificent beaches on the other, this refreshing region is a 2.5-hour drive or a 50-minute flight from Sydney, and is accessible from Canberra. The seaside town of Mollymook makes an excellent base for medium-sized incentive groups, with two five-star hotels within walking distance of each other: Bannisters by the Sea and Bannisters Pavilion, which offer 32 and 33 luxurious rooms respectively. In nearby Batemans Bay, groups can taste fresh oysters straight from the clear waters as they kayak the Clyde River Estuary system, which is home to some of the most successful oyster farmers in New South Wales. Dining options range from fresh seafood at Rick Stein’s Bannisters by the Sea to grazing boards and gourmet pizzas overlooking the vines at Cupitt’s Estate. Or, enjoy a guided foraging experience followed by a bush-to-table feast at Bangalay Dining, which focuses on native and local ingredients and has 16 luxury private villas on site.

Mornington Peninsula

An easy one-hour drive from Melbourne, a visit to the picturesque Mornington Peninsula is a fantastic way to incorporate a regional escape into an incentive program without venturing far from the city. Delight guests by booking out Jackalope, an extraordinary five-star, 45-room hotel with two chef-hatted restaurants, a cocktail bar, cellar door, event spaces and a dedicated in-house events team. Opening in mid-2022 is the Intercontinental Sorrento, a landmark pub-turned-five-star-hotel boasting an array of restaurants and bars led by renowned restaurateur Scott Pickett, plus a wellness centre and 108 stylish rooms, suites and penthouses. Once they’re settled in, groups can enjoy a round of golf at one of the region’s prestigious courses; several of which are ranked among the best in Australia. Sample a few drops at Montalto – best known for its production of top-notch pinot noir and chardonnay – then tour the A$70m sculpture park at Pt. Leo Estate before a private dining experience at Laura, the winery’s two-hatted restaurant that seats up to 40 guests.

Cradle Mountain

For an incentive program in Tasmania that ventures beyond the city of Hobart, the Cradle Mountain region is quite literally a breath of fresh air. A 60-minute helicopter flight from Hobart, this spectacular destination is the perfect escape for small incentive groups looking for a dose of nature and adventure. Kick off the program with an up-close Tasmanian devil encounter at Devils at Cradle, then settle into Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge which offers 86 beautifully appointed rooms and a cosy restaurant complete with a large open fireplace. The hotel can tailor activities for groups ranging from fly fishing in summer to night wildlife spotting tours and guided national park walks; don’t miss the Dove Lake Circuit trail which offers views of the famous Cradle Mountain itself. After a big dose of fresh mountain air, rejuvenate with an alpine spa treatment at The Waldheim Alpine Spa which overlooks the ancient Tasmanian forest.

Sunshine Coast

Boasting more than 300 days of sunshine per year, Queensland’s aptly named Sunshine Coast knows how to do business events. This laid-back coastal region is easily accessible with direct flights from Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, and flights from New Zealand resuming in mid-2022. The region offers an array of excellent hotels; large groups can stay at the 361-room Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort which has recently undergone an impressive refurbishment. For smaller groups, head to the hinterland to unwind at the charming 16-room Spicers Clovelly Estate, or Spicers Tamarind Retreat offers 14 rooms nestled in the rainforest. There are plenty of activities choose from – see the region from underwater with Down Under Submarines, or above the water with Noosa Stand Up Paddle. Seafood is the region’s specialty - get guests’ tastebuds tingling with Peter Kuruvita’s famous snapper curry at his new Noosa restaurant ALBA by Kuruvita, or indulge in roasted Mooloolaba king prawns paired with a glass of crisp white wine at the elegant Rickys River Bar & Restaurant on the banks of the Noosa River.

Margaret River

Western Australia’s regional destinations shine for business events, and one that ticks all the boxes is the Margaret River Region. A one-hour helicopter flight or a three-hour drive from Perth, this magnificent region offers so much more than the world-class wine for which it’s best known. Groups exploring the area can delve underground into an ancient limestone cave, then take an electric quad bike ride through towering karri forest with Eco Adventures. A walk along the spectacular Cape to Cape Track with Walk into Luxury is the perfect way to work up an appetite for a guided tasting and lunch at one of the region’s Ultimate Winery Experiences of Australia – Leeuwin Estate, Voyager Estate or Vasse Felix. It’s not only about top-notch wine here, either – the region is home to several boutique breweries, where groups can learn first-hand how craft beer is made. At day’s end, guests can rest their heads at the five star Cape Lodge – one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia – or Pullman Resort Bunker Bay where they can fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the shore.

Byron Bay

Directly accessible by air from Sydney, Melbourne or Canberra, the trendy coastal town of Byron Bay offers a myriad of activities for an incentive program. Groups can base themselves at one of several luxury hotels in the region including the 92-room Crystalbrook Byron, Elements of Byron which has 192 freestanding villas, or for smaller groups, the boutique 21-room Halcyon House at Cabarita Beach. Must-do activities in Byron generally revolve around its stunning coastline and waterways: learn to surf with Let’s Go Surfing, take a guided stroll to the iconic Byron Bay Lighthouse with Byron Bay Adventure Tours, spot platypus as you kayak through the rainforest with Go Fish Australia, or encounter whales and turtles on a private boat charter with Out of the Blue Adventures. Byron’s also synonymous with wellness, so arrange a morning yoga class by the water, then head out to Harvest Newrybar for a wild food forager masterclass followed by a delicious lunch.

Published: 14 April 2022