The Sunshine Coast’s unique selling proposition says it all: great access, quality resorts, innovative cuisine, natural attractions, and dedicated meetings professionals make for an unbeatable combination.
It is quintessentially just right for meetings and events. An easy hour by air from Sydney, two from Melbourne, or a short drive from the Brisbane CBD, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is a vibrant little region that contains everything you could possibly need for a three, four or five day conference.
Resorts are high quality, and if they’re not then watch out for the makeover which is probably just around the corner.
Activities “beyond the ballroom” are wide and varied, and well-suited to the meetings market. Who wouldn’t like to break for the afternoon with an adrenalin-charged team-building experience around a go-kart track? Or what about a leisurely group paddle on the water? Cocktails tucked in-between a rainforest and a sprawling golf course? Shopping in the main strip of Noosa? Dinner as the waves lap the sand just metres from your table? Is this the meetings version of Nirvana?
The Sunshine Coast is comprised of four distinct regions - Cooloola, Noosa, Maroochy and Caloundra – each with their own style and personality. Each offers a range of meeting venues, accommodation, and dining and entertainment options suited to all tastes and budgets.
Accommodation choices are as varied as the venues themselves. Styles range from quaint hinterland retreats which offer complete privacy and seclusion and are ideal for smaller groups, self-contained apartments which stretch the length of the Sunshine Coast, and a large number of four and five-star international resorts. Many of these properties offer conference delegates virtually everything they need in the one location, including extensive conference facilities, a choice of restaurants, championship golf courses, luxurious spa facilities, and an abundance of on site recreation facilities.
But clearly one of the greatest assets of the Sunshine Coast is its access. As Sunshine Coast Convention Bureau manager, Anne-Marie Coulton explains, the destination now averages 13,000 seats a week compared to just 5000 three years ago.
“Aside from beautiful beaches, rainforests and a very competitive food scene the Sunshine Coast has a diverse range of experiences to offer – with more than 60 activities suited to groups, ranging from horse riding on the beach, cooking schools in Thai-inspired retreats, all manner of water sports, yachting regattas, and even a circus school where delegates can learn acrobatic techniques in a matter of just a few hours,” she says.
“What’s more, the Sunshine Coast is a very safe destination, demonstrated by its ability to host high profile conventions including CHOGM and in the future the 2007 APEC Finance Ministers Meeting. Organisers can certainly feel very comfortable about the personal safety of their delegates.”
Kingfisher Bay Resort
Forbes business magazine called it one of the world’s sexiest islands but Kingfisher Bay Resort turns Australia’s Fraser Island into a unique conference and incentive venue. The Queensland resort takes advantage of the beautiful lakes, rainforests and beaches of World Heritage Fraser Island to provide delegates with the ultimate meeting places. Already in 2007 the resort is hosting conferences covering subjects such as remedial medicine, medical research, car manufacturing from Australia and Europe, osteopathic studies, the travel industry, finance. In the last four months of 2006 more than 1500 delegates from Australia, Asia, America and Europe arrived at Kingfisher Bay Resort to take part in activities such as whale watching, banquets in the forest, 4WD rallies on the island’s sand tracks, helicopter scenic flights, lunches on famous 75 Mile Beach, fishing charters for the boys and massage and beauty sessions for partners. Some groups have flown in to land on the beach while others have arrived by sail boat and catamaran. Themed dinners have included Star Wars, Survivor and Calypso beach parties. “Our clients are looking for a destination with a difference.
Fraser Island and Kingfisher Bay Resort provides exactly that,” said business development manager Leonie Belbin. “The resort turns this unique wilderness into a specialist conference venue where you can banquet under the stars, swim in fabulous Lake McKenzie, sail into the sunset on a champagne cruise or enjoy a bush tucker barbecue around a campfire on the beach.” Kingfisher Bay Resort has won six Australian Tourism Awards. The prestigious American business magazine Forbes has judged Fraser Island one of the World’s Sexiest Islands and Discovery’s Travel Channel has named it a World’s Best Beach.
Access Kingfisher Bay Resort via Hervey Bay. Virgin Blue and Jetstar Airlines operate direct jet services daily from Sydney. Qantaslink flies from Brisbane. Visit www.kingfisherbay.com for further details.
The Vue Room at Shearwater Resort
Located at Kings Beach on the Sunshine Coast in the Shearwater Resort, The Vue Room is a contemporary conference and function venue catering for boutique events, meetings and functions for up to 150 delegates. Under new management, The Vue Room is the perfect location for your next event. The team of onsite professionals can assist with any requirements for groups small or large. The Vue Room features onsite bar, a private outdoor courtyard and is suitable for hosting a banquet for up to 120 guests, 150 people theatre-style and 60 people classroom-style. The Vue Room features state-of-the art facilities that can accommodate the audio-visual and technological needs of any function. The room has ISDN capacity, audio-visual equipment and their professional team of organisers can assist with any requirements for groups small or large. The Vue Room is located within the Shearwater Resort, a stylishly appointed resort with 66 apartments catering for both the leisure and business traveller. This 4.5 star property features superb recreational facilities including a heated swimming pool, spa, children’s wading pool, gymnasium and games room. Visit www.staymint.com for further details.
 Ramada Pelican Waters
The Ramada Pelican Waters is one of the Sunshine Coast’s newest properties, and is being positioned as a four-and-a-half star venue well suited to the conference market. The property has 116 accommodation rooms made up of one, two and three bedroom suites and apartments. It also has seven well-appointed meeting rooms, the largest of which can seat up to 270 delegates theatre-style, and offers a wide range of areas for outside dining and event experiences, including a spectacular lawn. For those who don’t want to play a round on the 18-hole Greg Norman designed golf course the Vida Health & Spa is sure to entice delegates. For details telephone (07) 5437 4666, email events@ramadapelicanwaters.com.au or visit www.ramadapelicanwaters.com.au.
Noosa Springs Resort
Just three kilometres from Hastings Street, Noosa Springs is now more than just a golf resort, offering stylish apartment accommodation, a superb day spa and fitness centre, and flexible meeting facilities. The hype surrounding the opening of the spa and fitness centre has much to do with the European-influenced pampering and therapeutic treatments and the most comprehensive fitness facilities the region has seen. The facility is linked to the Noosa Springs Clubhouse and continues the stylish Mediterranean architectural theme that characterises the whole of Noosa Springs. The treatment suites have outdoor courtyards and water features with separate and private access for both male and female patrons. Additionally there are nine massage rooms, steam rooms, infrared saunas, blitz showers, relaxation rooms and a fully equipped beauty salon. As well as its championship golf course Noosa Springs Resort has four floodlit tennis courts. For further information phone (07) 5440 3333, email resort@noosasprings.com.au or visit www.noosasprings.com.au.
Hyatt Regency Coolum
The Hyatt Regency Coolum is one of the Sunshine Coast’s best-known resorts, having served the meetings and events industry for many years so successfully. It has been and continues to be one of the region’s most popular venues for events. Located just 10 minutes from the airport the property has 324 accommodation rooms in a range of different configurations, with a total capacity for 900 guests at one time. It has 19 meeting rooms, the largest of which can comfortably seat up to 1000 delegates. The beauty of this resort, which is set on 140 hectares of resort grounds, is that it is so private. The dedicated conference venue blends into the entire resort and is centrally located to the majority of accommodation rooms. Once at the property guests really do have little reason to leave during their stay. The property is home to the Australian PGA Championship thanks to its quality golf course and large range of accommodation. Plans are currently underway for updating its conference facilities and the Sun Spa. For details telephone (07) 5446 1234, email coolum@hyatt.com.au or visit www.coolum.regency.hyatt.com
Australis Noosa Lakes
Australis Noosa Lakes Convention and Exhibition Centre sits on the shores of Lake Doonella and the Noosa River, and is just a few minutes by car north of the Noosa CBD. The property has 188 accommodation rooms which are in studio, one and two bedroom townhouse style. The property offers five meeting rooms, the largest of which can seat up to 320 delegates. The dedicated convention facility has natural light, and the latest in electronic conferencing technology. For details telephone (07) 5447 1400, email functions.noosa@australishotels.com or visit www.australishotels.com.
Caloundra Cultural Centre
The Caloundra Cultural Centre offers one of the largest meetings facilities on the coast, with meetings capacity for up to 900 delegates. It has a total of six meeting rooms including a fully equipped theatrical centre. A verandah and courtyard is well suited to small or large-scale functions, or as a break-out area for morning and afternoon tea breaks. Telephone (07) 5491 4240, email culturalcentre@caloundra.qld.gov.au or visit www.caloundracentre.com.au.
Novotel Twin Waters Resort
Novotel Twin Waters Resort’s multi-million dollar refurbishment is designed to capture all elements of a true resort experience. The luxurious, modern refurbishment encompasses all 360 accommodation rooms and suites, selected food and beverage facilities, public areas and surrounding tropical gardens. The ambient, modern features of the new design are set to enhance the level of comfort and quality experienced by all guests. A revitalised approach towards its products and services in conjunction with a fresh approach to how they do business provides the flexibility and creativity necessary for a truly successful conference or event. Designed to invigorate, the venue’s new conference concepts provide an innovative edge to its current world-class facilities. In the heart of the Sunshine Coast, Novotel Twin Waters Resort is home to award-winning conference facilities, and boasts the largest resort-based events facility in the region. With its new innovative concepts and revitalised look the property is set to raise the standard in resort-based conferencing. Telephone (07) 5448 8000, email conference@twinwaters.com.au or visit www.twinwatersresort.com.au.
Noosa Oceanrider
A great adrenalin-charged activity Noosa Oceanrider is a speedboat with attitude. Oceanrider is said to help overworked delegates blow away the conference cobwebs and really let their hair down. Adrenalin-charged wave jumping action and high speed manoeuvres will apparently have groups laughing and screaming with delight. Visit www.oceanrider.biz for further details.
Human Rhythms
The popular drumming and team-building company Human Rhythms has an office on the Sunshine Coast to cater to the increasing number of business events held across the region. Human Rhythms is one of the most popular drumming experiences going around, doing business here and internationally for groups. Participants are often surprised and exhilarated at the way in which Human Rhythms can create such fun and excitement with the aid of drums and not much else. Visit www.humanrhythms.com.au for further details.
Australia Zoo
Home of the Crocodile Hunter, Australia Zoo is a must see for visitors to the Sunshine Coast. Telephone (07) 5436 2000 or visit www.australiazoo.com.au for further details.
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