Destination Spotlight - Port Stephens, NSW
Image: Destination Port Stephens
One minute you’re soaking in the wisdom of an inspiring keynote speaker, next minute you’re whisked away to board a cruise around the bay, enjoying fresh seafood, networking with colleagues and watching dolphins dance in and out of the waves. The day builds as you head off from your cruise to take on the largest sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere strapped into your own quad bike!
If this is what you picture for your next business event then beautiful Port Stephens, home of the world-renowned Worimi Conservation Lands, is a perfect fit.
After 26 years in the business, I can recognise a picture-perfect location and unique experiences and Port Stephens delivers on both. Expect to be welcomed by their warm hospitality and charming coastal village atmosphere. Conveniently located a two and a half-hour drive north of Sydney or twenty-five minutes from Newcastle Airport, it is a spectacular location to host a memorable event.
Here are six venues and activities you will want to experience to have you leaving refreshed and inspired!
Image: The Anchorage
The Anchorage Hotel and Spa
The Anchorage offers luxurious accommodation and conference and event spaces set on absolute waterfront. This Hamptons-style resort is five-star indulgence and offers 80 rooms and suites and has the capacity to host up to 160 delegates for business events. The resort is home to the world-class Spa Lucca, two heated pools, Moby’s whisky bar and two decadent dining options, The Galley Kitchen and The Wild Herring, named for the second year running “Best Seafood Restaurant –Regional NSW”.
Image: The Anchorage
Sensational Sand Dunes
If you want an awe-inspiring experience, the activities on the sand dunes are a must!
Image: Destination NSW
The Stockton Bight sand dunes stand an impressive 30 metres high and the area offers 32 kilometres of spectacular, untamed coastline. Sand Dune Adventures can cater for corporate groups of 50 delegates on a unique Aboriginal cultural tour which includes quad biking, sandboarding and cultural insights from a local Aboriginal tour guide. Port Stephens 4WD Tours offer adventures for up to 80 passengers on board their air-conditioned 4WDs which includes sandboarding and the option of customised team building activities. Finish of the experience with a casual stroll along Birubi Beach atop a camel with the team at Oakfield Ranch.
Cruising on the Bay
No visit to Port Stephens is complete without an experience on the water from our eco-certified operators. Moonshadow-TQCoffer dolphin watching cruises, seasonal whale watching, dinner or cocktail cruises, educational tours, adventures to Broughton Island and private charters. With an impressive fleet of seven luxury vessels and a professional team who have been hosting business events for decades, the possibilities are endless! If you want to venture out on a more intimate catamaran experience, Imagine Cruises offer cruising on board their 54ft sailing catamaran, purpose-built as a model for eco-tourism and capable of both offshore and inshore cruising.
Image: Moonshadow TQC
Image: Rick Stein at Bannisters, Port Stephens
Rick Stein at Bannisters
‘Incredible seafood simply prepared’ is the mantra at Rick Stein at Bannisters. This first-class restaurant can cater for small groups of up to ten guests and is an ideal location to host an exclusive business dinner that will impress your clients. Using nothing but the finest locally sourced ingredients, every aspect is crafted with passion, cooked to perfection, and bursting with flavour. The restaurant offers an extensive wine list to complement their food and the freshly shucked oysters and Nelson Bay Rock Lobster Thermidor are high on the must try options on the menu.
Image: Nelson Bay Golf
Nelson Bay Golf Club
This is an impressive 27-hole golf course set on 175 acres of challenging tree lined fairways, making it an ideal venue for a corporate golf day or as part of a larger conference. The conference spaces can accommodate up to 180 guests banquet style and their recent renovation has seen the introduction of the latest AV facilities and technology. Nelson Bay Golf Club are also fortunate to have two certified PGA professionals on site who love to share their wisdom! Your accommodation options are a short stroll next door to the The Landmark Resort or to the Mantra Nelson Bay .
Shoal Bay Convention Centre
Image: Shoal Bay Convention Centre
The newly renovated Shoal Bay Convention Centre boasts a stunning beachfront location with iconic fixtures and on trend styling offering conferencing and events capacity for up to 500 guests. The Ramada Resort by Wyndham Shoal Bay is conveniently located next door and offers 99 rooms with a guest capacity of 278. Corporate clients can enjoy state of the art facilities, multiple restaurants and bars, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, health centre and gym. If you are feeling energetic, SUP and kayak hire can be arranged for your group or you can find your way along the foreshow walk to Mt Tomaree and complete the climb to the summit where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views!
Image: Destination NSW
An incredible destination for business events of all shapes and sizes. Port Stephens really is as their slogan suggests, ‘Incredible by Nature’!
With thanks to the team at Destination Port Stephens.