A company getaway is a great way to bond with co-workers, especially if yours is a global corporation where you need to get to know colleagues in overseas countries. But with Covid-19 now severely restricting overseas travel and probably affecting it until mid-2022 – apart from the New Zealand bubble now open – many Australian companies are organising conferences and corporate events at home rather than braving the virus and quarantine rules to travel overseas.

And Australia has come of age with regard to conferencing, incentives, meetings and exhibitions with a variety of excellent hotels and venues with just the right facilities for any kind of business, conference or event. The following are just a few Australian corporate-friendly locations that have everything you will need for your business conference or event.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Fairmont Blue Mountains

An escape from the city to the fresh air of the Blue Mountains makes the Fairmont a corporate favourite, hosting more than 300 events and conferences each year. These vary from small meetings to conferences with 600 attendees. The 9.5-hectare retreat is just 90-minute’ drive from Sydney and has 222 rooms and suites, 15 conference spaces for up to 850 people, a 450-seat ballroom and many outdoor choices including golf, property tours, yoga and bushwalking.

VICTORIA

Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa

This venue is located in the heart of a leading Victorian wine region, the Yarra Valley, yet it’s only an hour’s drive from Melbourne. Balgownie Estate has stunning architectural executive boardrooms and conference centre, all with the latest presentation equipment and technology. For conference breaks, there are sun-drenched balconies with gorgeous views of the Estate’s vineyards and everything from hot-air ballooning to laser clay shooting for the events team to arrange.

QUEENSLAND

Spicers Peak Lodge

This mountain lodge is a perfect meeting and events facility located in Queensland’s High Country. Spicers Peak is a high end facility with a difference. It has a collection of 10 suites and two private lodges, featuring a boardroom and private dining in a stunning luxury lodge making the most of its elevated Scenic Rim site.

CANBERRA

Greenhills Centre

Located in a fabulous bush setting with views over the Brindabella Ranges and just a 20-minute drive from Parliament House, Greenhills Centre is a venue perfect for business conferences and corporate events. Whether you want a peaceful setting for networking, team building, training, or brain-storming a project, Greenhills has it all.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Cape Lodge Margaret River

Located on a secluded vineyard on the Margaret River just three hours’ south of Perth, Cape Lodge is more like a private country estate. With 22 rooms, the Lodge caters for modern corporate requirements for conferences and events. There’s a boardroom and two meeting rooms available and with neighbours like the award-winning winery Vasse Felix, private wine and food master classes are available.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Louise

For a boutique experience in a quality lodge an hour from Adelaide in the Barossa Valley, Louise is the top choice. The lodge has 15 suites, with vineyard views, and a sun-drenched boardroom that accommodates up to 24 people, and a secluded breakout terrace. The  Appellation Restaurant has options for private dining and incorporates a chef’s degustation with the renowned Barossa Shiraz.

TASMANIA

Saffire Freycinet

Housed in a building with floor-to-ceiling windows and in the brilliant surroundings of Great Oyster Bay and the Freycinet Peninsula, this 20-suite coastal retreat with a 24-seat boardroom is a great choice for your next conference. The food and beverage options are sourced locally, and event attendees can relax on a boat ride on Wineglass Bay, visit an oyster farm or a Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary.

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

Groote Eylandt Lodge

The 60-room Groote Eylandt Lodge in the Gulf of Carpentaria offers an Indigenous-owned corporate getaway with same-day connections to Australian mainland capital cities. The meeting rooms and breezy conference suite are perfect for business needs and breakout activities include thrilling sport fishing and Indigenous cultural activities. Dine on freshly caught seafood in the Seagrass restaurant.

Author’s Bio

Kym Wallis, the founding director of Higher Ranking has over 15 years of advertising sales, digital strategy, and business development experience. He is currently working as Digital Adviser  for Travelvax.