Unique venues to surprise your guests

A stone’s throw from the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the glistening white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach in Queensland’s Whitsundays make an idyllic backdrop for an event. Whisk your guests to this scenic spot - which has been consistently ranked amongst the best beaches in the world - with private charter company Ocean Dynamics, which operates a fleet of vessels including a luxury motor yacht that accommodates 80 guests. Ocean Dynamics’ events team, Affinity Events, can design a bespoke event on Whitehaven Beach for up to 330 guests, from long-table dining to cocktails under cabanas. Alternatively, if staying on Hayman, Hamilton or Daydream Island, the in-house events teams can arrange unique offsite experiences for groups. 

An oversized Rubik’s Cube may not be something you’d expect to see in the middle of a vineyard, but it’s become an icon of South Australia’s McLaren Vale wine region. The d’Arenberg Cube is a five-storey, multi-function cellar door and event space, just a 45-minute drive or a short helicopter transfer from the city of Adelaide. Inspired by the complexities of winemaking, the Cube's founder Chester Osborn is the mastermind behind this extraordinary structure which houses a wine sensory room, an Alternate Realities Museum and a tasting room on the top level. With the capacity to host 50 guests for seated dining or 250 cocktail-style, this show-stopping venue is available for exclusive use and is sure to be the star of your next South Australian incentive program.

In Tasmania’s capital of Hobart, groups can experience the thrill of attending an event 13 metres (43 feet) underground at MONA – the Museum of Old and New Art. The Void at MONA is a subterranean cocktail bar that accommodates 160 guests for a seated long-table feast or 450 for a cocktail event. A towering Triassic-aged sandstone wall is the venue’s signature feature, along with a rotating display of original artworks that adorn the space. When it comes to food and beverage, MONA’s expert events team is known for its creative catering - from inventive finger-food to brilliant banquets - and guests certainly won’t go thirsty with an imaginative array of cocktails, local beers and Tasmanian wines on offer.

The State Library of Victoria in Melbourne may be a scholarly sanctuary by day, but at night its magnificent LaTrobe Reading Room can be transformed into a vibrant event space. With 1,000 sqm (10,764 sq. ft) of space, this remarkable room is available for exclusive hire for up to 520 guests for a cocktail-style event under the expert guidance of Showtime Events Group. The 35-metre-high (115-ft) domed octagonal ceiling is the architectural highlight, and directly beneath the soaring dome is a central dais which offers a unique setting for keynote speakers and live performances. Although it's more than 100 years old, the LaTrobe Reading Room was exquisitely restored in 2003 featuring custom-built desks made from Queensland silky oak timber, heritage chairs and traditional green reading lamps, creating a uniquely photogenic setting for an event.

A visit to Australia’s Red Centre – often referred to as the country’s spiritual heart – can be a profound experience for incentive groups. The Sounds of Silence is an open-air dinner under the stars at Uluru, offering a unique way for guests to connect with this special part of the Northern Territory. Run by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, which owns Ayers Rock Resort, this extraordinary experience can be booked exclusively for groups of up to 300 guests. On arrival, guests drink in the sunset over Uluru whilst enjoying gourmet canapés to the sounds of a didgeridoo, then indulge in a bushtucker-inspired feast. After dinner, a spot of stargazing and Aboriginal storytelling completes this incredible incentive experience.

Queensland’s sunny Gold Coast is famous for its beaches, so it’s no surprise that the region has an abundance of seaside venues to choose from. For an authentic ‘toes in the sand’ experience, planners can arrange an event at Kurrawa Beach Club which has recently taken up residence on the shores of Broadbeach, a literal stone’s throw from the water’s edge. This is no standard waterfront venue – it’s situated directly on the sand, meaning guests can leave their high heels at the door and kick back in barefoot bliss. This pop-up beach club is perfect for a summer soirée for up to 200 guests, offering cabanas, day beds and onsite catering.

Sydney may be famed for its Harbour Bridge and Opera House, but a lesser-known fact is that the Harbour is home to 13 islands. The largest – Cockatoo Island – is steeped in maritime history and is now a tourism precinct and a large-scale events venue. Planners can arrange for a luxury charter boat to collect guests from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour and take the scenic trip out to this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, which played a major role in Australia’s shipbuilding history from 1857 – 1991. The island boasts three event spaces – the Eastern Apron, Industrial Precinct and the Convict Precinct - which can cater for groups of up to 5,000, 2,000 and 500 guests respectively.

Step aboard The Raft, Perth's first permanent floating venue, securely anchored on the Swan River a short private tender ride from the Barrack Street Jetty, near Elizabeth Quay. Designed to open up to the river and city views, whilst also keeping the elements at bay, this carefully considered venue can be booked for exclusive use for 150 seated guests or 250 for a cocktail event. Bespoke menus can be arranged with The Raft’s culinary team, who serve a veritable feast of fresh local produce from the onboard kitchen and the venue is also fully licensed. With a state-of-the-art PA, event planners can organise a band or the Raft team can connect you with local DJs.  With a state-of-the-art PA, event planners can organise a band or the Raft team can connect you with local DJs. With beautiful decor inspired by Western Australia's coastal landscape, this floating oasis makes the perfect venue for a business event in Perth.