Program pitch: Melbourne / Narrm

Discover the labyrinth of artist laneways, learn about Indigenous cuisine and the city’s world class sporting history. Explore Phillip Island for thrills, wildlife and fairy penguins. Uncover all of this and more in our three day program pitch to inspire planning your next business event in Melbourne. 

Check-in to your luxury accommodation at Ritz Carlton Melbourne, rising 80 storeys above the city showcasing views across Melbourne. Once settled, head to the lobby to meet your guide from Hidden Secrets Tours. Explore Melbourne's historic arcades and art-filled laneways on an immersive walking tour that uncovers the culture and narratives of this vibrant multicultural city. At the end of the tour, continue to Federation Square to lunch on Indigenous cuisine at the Big Esso. While you savour Indigenous dishes, flavours and beverages, learn about the native ingredients in each course and the culinary techniques used by Indigenous chefs. After lunch, take a brief walk to the wharf below Federation Square to board a luxury river boat for a one-hour sightseeing cruise on the Yarra River with the eco-certified Yarra River Cruises. Glide past Melbourne’s iconic sporting arenas, under ornate bridges and mansions. After the tour, head back to your accommodation to refresh for the evening before you indulge in seasonal fine dining at Gimlet at Cavendish House.

Travel two hours by car to Phillip Island. Take on the curves and the straights of Phillip Island Go Karts as you race around the 750 metre (820 yard) replica Grand Prix track alongside a breathtaking coastline. Then, stroll along the treetop boardwalk at the nearby Koala Conservation Centre. Here, spot koalas, wallabies and birdlife. After a 20-minute drive to Cowes, lunch at Pino’s Trattoria on a feast of freshly cooked pasta and pizza created from local produce. Drive through farmlands to the Nobbies Centre in the Phillip Island Nature Park. Wander along the boardwalks to take in the dramatic coastal scenery of the Nobbies before you head inside for the Antarctic Journey, an interactive multimedia experience. Head back to the Penguin Parade Discovery Centre. Dine on fresh seafood and local wines, then from the underground viewing venue, witness the world’s largest fairy penguin colony emerge from the tide to their nest burrows as the sun sets. Return to Melbourne by helicopter, arriving at your accommodation in time for a nightcap overlooking the city lights.

Start your day with a wellness session of yoga, pilates or meditation followed by breakfast at The LUME, the world's largest digital art gallery. Relax and stretch surrounded by meditative landscapes on the three-storey high walls while the gallery fills with relaxing music. Refreshed and ready for the day, take a short drive to Port Melbourne to the kitchens of Oz Harvest for a feel good team building activity, Cooking for a Cause. Don your apron and guided by OzHarvest chefs, work in teams transforming rescued produce into healthy and nutritious meals for vulnerable communities. Once packed for delivery, sit down to share the lunch you have cooked together. Then, head across town to the hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia’s premier sports stadium. Immerse yourself in Australia’s international, local and Indigenous sporting history and explore the arena’s world-class facilities in a behind-the-scenes guided tour. Return to your hotel to refresh for the evening. As the sun sets, head to Centrepiece at Melbourne Park, where the city views and pillarless ballroom are the venue for your final gala dinner.