Hunter Valley Wine Country, a couple of hours drive from Sydney, is regional New South Wales’ premier short-drive meetings destination for very good reason. Summer, autumn, winter or spring the destination is blooming marvellous.

Championship golf courses, stylish event spaces, high-star quality accommodation, and of course great food and wine, has this destination on the up-and-up in terms of business events, so much so that even international delegates are queuing up for a taste. Many large international Sydney-based meetings now have pre and post tours to the Hunter Valley as part of their programs, allowing delegates a small sample of what this great region has to offer.

And what doesn’t it have to offer? On a recent visit there I was invited to take a stroll around Hunter Valley Gardens and left wondering why I had never been there before. The resort, with its quality accommodation and fine dining restaurant is very nice. But it was the gardens themselves that I was so impressed with. Weather permitting, this has to be one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in which to hold special events available anywhere in Australia. Many corporate companies have already taken advantage of the gardens, held product launches, superb dinners and stylish cocktail parties throughout the variety of gardens on offer – the Rose Garden, Italian Grotto, the Oriental Garden, Border Garden, Storybook Garden, Chinese Garden, Indian Mosaic Tea Garden, Formal Garden and Sunken Garden.

There is literally something for everyone, and no doubt as the sun is setting and the lights come on, this fairytale destination would appear even more beautiful than it already is.

But it’s not just Hunter Valley Gardens that impresses. Cypress Lakes Resort, a long-time player in the business events industry has even more to smile about now following the opening of its brand new facility, The Event Centre.

And the other exciting new addition to the Hunter Valley is the Crowne Plaza, described as the destination’s “newest, largest and most convenient residential conferencing venue”.
The Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley opened in October 2006 and is already finding favour with savvy meeting and event planners. As well as some great accommodation its facilities include a pillarless ballroom that looks out onto the 18-hole golf course, more than 830 square metres of exhibition space, an enormous pre-function zone, meeting rooms of various sizes and aspects, and dozens of areas that can be used for break-outs and informal meetings – all under the one roof.

Cypress Lakes Resort in the Hunter Valley has been a long-time player in the business events business, hosting a great range of events since opening its doors. Its location in the heart of the valley surrounded by vineyards and cellar doors, its superb championship golf course, its Golden Door Spa, and its meetings facilities have all helped to cement the resort as one of Australia’s best.
And its reputation is now set to enter a new phase with the opening of The Event Centre.

The Event Centre stands adjacent to the convention centre and offers superb views over the lagoon pool, main lake and Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club. The Event Centre slab is elevated to nearly one metre above ground level in order to maximize views and light. The 450 SQM building offers:

• Soundproofed and insulated walls
• Covered wide balcony around the perimeter of the building
• Fully glazed double doors at the main entry (eastern end) with a further three sets of fully glazed along the northern wall
• Climate control air conditioning
• Full carpet
• Window covers/drapes
• Permanent AV truss
• A break-out lawn area
Chief marketing officer of The Golden Door Group & Cypress Lakes Group Limited, Stuart Ford, says The Event Centre has now been fully built and the air conditioning system is currently being installed.
“The great benefit of this [The Event Centre] is that combined with our new lagoon marquee, the resort is able to accommodate conference groups of 600 plus delegates,” he says.
“This makes us one of the few integrated resorts in the country that can cater fully for these types of numbers without having to enlist the support of outside accommodation and venue suppliers.”
Cypress Lakes Resort has more than 200 luxury, five-star villas with one, two, three or four bedrooms. The Cypress Lakes Convention Centre can cater for up to 400 delegates theatre-style, or 280 guests banquet-style.

This venue has the capability to divide into four smaller rooms of equal size. All rooms feature natural lighting.

The Spa Treatment
The Golden Door Spa continues to retain its position as a pre-eminent spa. It was devised to allow visitors an opportunity to rebalance and refocus, to relax and renew. From the moment guests arrive they will be guided and cared for. Visitors can enjoy the spacious relaxation lounge and take advantage of the complimentary steam and spa facilities before or after their treatments.
There is an extensive range of treatments for guests to choose from for both men and women, including face and body treatments, hand and foot care, and specialty services. The Golden Door’s signature treatments will provide an amazing experience with sensational results. Also on offer are a range of spa packages that carefully combine a selection of The Golden Door’s most popular treatments, offering great value for that extended spa experience. Delegates are invited to escape from the everyday to a place where tired spirits can be renewed and life’s balance restored.

For more information about Cypress Lakes telephone (02) 4993 1555, email info@cypresslakes.com.au or visit www.cypresslakes.com.au

Peppers Guest House
Nestled in the heart of the Hunter Valley, Peppers Guest House is surrounded by beautiful gardens and overlooking vineyards. It features 48 deluxe accommodation rooms and suites, while there is also an exclusive self-contained four bedroom cottage. Guests can indulge in a massage at the onsite Endota Spa or unwind with a glass of Hunter shiraz in the bar or by the fire. The Homestead is an executive retreat complete with fine dining in the renowned Chez Pok restaurant. The conference and meeting room facilities can cater for up to 120 delegates. For more information telephone (02) 4993 8999, email guesthouse@peppers.com.au or visit www.peppers.com.au.

Hunter Valley Gardens
The award-winning Hunter Valley Gardens include Tallawanta Lodge and Conference Centre, Harrigan’s Irish Pub and Accommodation, Grapeview Villas, Lazzarini’s Restaurant, Roche Wines, Hunter Valley Gardens Village, a barbecue and picnic grounds, children’s playground and a chapel for private services, weddings or christenings. And of course the sensational Hunter Valley Gardens themselves, spread over 25 hectares. Set in the historic district of Pokolbin, Hunter Valley Gardens is ideal for conferences, catering for up to 250 people in the conference and function centres. Accommodation ranges from the four-and-a-half star boutique Tallawanta Lodge, the four-star motel-style Harrigan’s Irish Pub and the three-star self-catered Grapeview Villas. For more information telephone (02) 4998 4000, or visit www.hvg.com.au.

Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley is the new kid on the block in the Hunter Valley and is sure to impress delegates and planners with its style and facilities. The property offers 150 accommodation rooms located in the main building, and 72 two-bedroom villas that are spread amongst the greens of the golf course yet are still only a short stroll from meeting rooms, restaurants, bars and all activities. A pillarless ballroom that looks out onto the 18-hole golf course, more than 830 square metres of exhibition space, an enormous pre-function zone, meeting rooms of various sizes and aspects, and dozens of areas that can be used for break-outs and informal meetings are all contained under the one roof. The hotel also offers the full suite of Crowne Plaza Meeting Success™ services such as the Two Hour Response™ through to the Meet and Eat™ catalogue of food and beverage products for formal and informal meetings. For details telephone (02) 49910900 or visit www.ichotelsgroups.com.

The Sebel Kirkton Park
Located in Pokolbin The Sebel Kirkton Park has 71 rooms in a country house style property. The hotel is set on 120 acres with manicured gardens, a floodlit tennis court, billiard room, restaurant and indoor pool. The property has four meeting rooms with five breakout rooms and has been winning awards for its functions for the past decade. It can hold up to 220 banquet style in the Hunter/Rothbury rooms or 350 for cocktails. For more information telephone (02) 4998 7680, email reservations@tskphv.mirvac.com.au or visit www.mirvachotels.com.au.

Wyndham Estate
Wyndham Estate combines the latest technology with professional corporate meeting spaces and award-winning wines. Located on Dalwood Rd in Branxton, Wyndham Estate is one of Hunter Valley’s largest venues. Renowned for Opera in the Vineyards, the winery specialises in gala dinners, product launches, conferences and exhibitions. It has six meeting rooms, three of which combine to hold 450 theatre-style or 320 for dinner. However the external areas can accommodate a marquee capable of holding 420 banquet-style while the amphitheatre can seat 7000 theatre-style. For more information telephone (02) 4938 3444, email wyndham@orlando.com
or visit www.wyndhamestate.com.

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