The city of Melbourne has several times been voted “ the most livable city” and is an absolute treat for those with a passion for the finer things in life. From authentic Australia Bush Tucker to International and noveau combinations, the Melbourne food experience is adventurous and exciting. Add to this great Australian wines, world class entertainment and fabulous festivals, and you have a recipe for a thrilling visit. Often considered the cultural and sporting capital of Australia, Melbourne is home to the Australian Ballet and Australian F1. It places great emphasis on culinary arts, visual arts and performing arts and these forms of expression, along with film and fashion and music are influenced by both it’s ever increasing multicultural population and an equally strong local culture. Such diversity and the contrasting old and new makes Melbourne a rich and dynamic destination. The aim of Melbourne conference centres is to assist you in designing an exclusive itinerary that will cater to your particular vision.
Docklands is Melbourne’s newest precinct and boasts the city’s largest infrastructure development yet. This spectacular, ultra- modern re-development covers over 200 hectares of space with more than 3kms of the Yarra River flowing alongside and whilst it is not expected to be complete until 2020, it is fast becoming a major tourist attraction. The Melbourne landmarks Telstra Dome, the Southern Star Observation Wheel and Southern Cross Station are located here. Transport is made easy from Docklands, with buses and trains running regularly from Southern Cross Station or for a more novice form of transport, why not consider taking a restaurant cruise or perhaps a yacht at the end of a heavy day’s conferencing. The Majority of the accommodation offerings in this area are found in the form of small boutique hotels and practical apartment style accommodation – perfect for a special night out or a longer stay within a short stroll from the CBD over the Yarra River. Several waterfront dining precincts can be found in the fresh and exciting Docklands, with every cuisine imaginable to be found in 100+ restaurants, bars and cafes. Take a stroll around the marinas, interesting walkways, grand plazas and historic docks, feast your eyes on the urban art displays along the way. Nearby places to visit include the recently opened Icehouse which is the venue for the National Ice Sports Centre, the Melbourne Stadium and Harbour Town Shopping Centre.
Base yourself in the heart of the city by staying in one of Melbourne’s ‘Paris End’ hotels. Located in Melbourne’s CBD, the eastern end of Collins Street is often referred to as the ‘Paris End’ as a reference to the ‘Marvellous Melbourne’ mythology which celebrates the European influence of the area. The ‘Paris” end is home to many of the cities luxury 5 Star hotels, many with the ability to host several hundred people for conferences and events. Though this end of the city is renowned for the “high end” accommodation – you will also be able to find a small collection of practical 4 – 4.5 star hotels offering comfortable lodging and mid sized conference facilities at competitive pricing. Although modern development has destroyed some of the European flavour, it still displays some of the country’s finest Victorian era buildings and has retained many designer boutiques and cafes. The ease of getting around in Melbourne, either on foot or on the famous Melbourne trams, makes this a highly sought after location for accommodation. There are many attractions within the compact and easy to navigate CBD. Beginning in Collins Street itself, you have the Athenaeum and Regent theatres, The Melbourne Observation Deck at Rialto Towers and of course the wonderful architecture of stately historic buildings. Parliament House, Old Melbourne Gaol and the Museum are all close by as are the Fitzroy Gardens which is home to the Captain Cook cottages and a model Tudor village. The iconic Chinatown is only a short walk and a visit to Federation Square is a must. This distinctive space is one of the city’s main cultural hubs and tourist centres with its distinctive architecture and large digital screen it is an popular public space.
Southbank fronts the southern bank of the Yarra River, just opposite the Melbourne’s central business district. It’s 2 Kms of absolute river frontage is lined by generous pedestrian walkways and offers scenic views of the city skyline. One of Southbank’s drawcards is the convenience of being just across the river from the heart of Melbourne and opposite some of Melbourne’s best gardens and parklands to the east of St Kilda Road. SouthBank has some fantastic smaller style 5 star hotels – perfect for the smaller conference with minimal city distraction, and often beautiful outlooks. It is noted for its cultural facilities including Melbourne’s leading contemporary art gallery, The National Gallery of Victoria, Australian Ballet Centre, Melbourne Recital Centre and Victorian College of the Arts, just to name a few, all have their home at Southbank. If you prefer something a little less high brow for your entertainment then the Crown Entertainment Complex, feature the acclaimed Crown Casino, scores of restaurants, and a large cinema complex maybe for you. There is also an art centre that houses a concert hall and several theatres and of course for a little retail therapy, the multi-level Southgate shopping centre which features a host of retail outlets, restaurants and cafes that overlook the river. Another Southgate drawcard that is sure to delight is the Eureka Skydeck. This attraction can be found on the 88th floor of Melbourne’s tallest building , The Eureka Tower. The observation deck offers spectacular views of the city and includes a glass viewing cube which projects a thrilling 3 metres out from the building known as the “Edge”.
St Kilda is a bayside suburb 7km from the Melbourne CBD. It’s fascinating history has seen it change from favoured suburb of Melbourne’s elite who built many palatial mansions along its hills and waterfront to the city’s seedy red-light district, home to low-cost rooming houses post war and then preferred haunt of subcultures such as bohemians, punks and the techno scene in the 1960’s to it’s current re-incarnation as a popular choice for young urban professionals because of it’s proximity to the CBD. The 21st century sees St. Kilda as a lively suburb with an exciting vibe. Fitzroy Street is a popular spot with its restaurants, bars and café tables spilling onto the footpath as is Acland Street which has an eclectic mix of independent music, book and second-hand stores, restaurants, wine bars and cake shops. By day, the streets are dotted with people relaxing with a latte; by night the atmosphere is turned up a notch as clubbers come out to play. St Kilda has many Victorian terraces, historic mansions, art deco buildings and apartment blocks which all allude to it’s colourful past. Attractions include Luna Park, St Kilda Beach, St Kilda Sea Baths, the St Kilda Public Gardens, and the St Kilda Pavilion. To support this vibrant area, accommodation is varied – with some of the largest conferencing hotels in Melbourne on St Kilda Rd ( half way between the CBD and St Kilda) In St Kilda itself is an eclectic mix of small independent venues along internationally recognised branded large venues. It is well connected with many tram and bus services offering regular services making it easy to visit popular venues such as the Palais Theatre, the National Theatre, the arthouse cinema The Astor Theatre and the Esplanade Hotel (known to the locals as The Espy).
Melbourne is a progressive cosmopolitan city with a perceptive view of it’s future. Melbourne conference venues share that vision and are enthusiastic about showcasing their city. Call a Melbourne conference centre to discuss your event.
The eclectic mix of historic and cutting edge, local and international, arts and sports all existing side by side makes Melbourne conference centres highly sort after as a destination for corporate events. This vibrant city offers visitors a rich and diverse range of memorable experiences. These are a few of our favourites:
For a glimpse of yester-year why not visit the Old Melbourne Gaol. 135 of Victoria’s most notorious criminals, including Ned Kelly were hung here and exhibits provide a wonderful insight into gaol life in the early 1900’s.
Melbourne’s Federation square with it’s spectacular architecture has been embraced by the people as true representation of their city and is home to the Melbourne Visitors Centre, Australian Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, the Ian Potter Centre as well as a range of exciting cafes, bars and restaurants. Strolling around the Southbank and Southgate Arts and Leisure precinct also makes for a wonderful outing. Stretching along the southern bank of the Yarra River, Southbank has recently been rejuvenated as the heartbeat of the central city area. It is Melbourne’s main entertainment focal point and is dotted with upmarket shops, restaurants and trendy cafes. Outdoor eating and sidewalk entertainment is a delightful emphasis in this relaxed environment. Further along the southern bank you will come across the Crown Entertainment Complex which is also big on restaurants and shops and is home to the casino. Further again is the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
Be sure to make a little time for some shopping while in Melbourne. For that unique fashion purchase, make your way to the iconic Chapel Street precinct. From the internationally acclaimed to the funkiest young designers, you’ll find all their exciting creations along with designer giftware stores and restaurants of culinary excellence. If something a little more casual is your thing, a visit to the atmospheric Queen Victoria Market is a must. Said to be the southern hemisphere’s largest open-air market, it offers a variety of fresh farm produce and, on Sundays, it resembles a modern Arabian Nights bazaar with a much wider range of merchandise and mayhem. For those that can’t get enough, there is also outlet shopping tours for a fun day of frenzied shopping.
Enjoying a meal on the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is guaranteed to be a highlight of your visit to Melbourne. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant has won the National Tourism Award and is a uniquely Melbourne experience. It offers fine dining while travelling the streets of the city on an meticulously restored tram, seated amidst luxurious fittings and period details of the early 1900’s.
Australia’s oldest zoo is situated in Melbourne and is home to more than 350 animal species from across Australia and the world. For a fun experience, the zoo offers the opportunity to spend the night.
The exciting night life in Melbourne is best characterised as energetic and diverse. From the glittering casino to high-end cuisine or low brow rock gigs, concerts, jazz, plays, festivals and theatre, Melbourne revels in a nightlife packed with quality and variety.
Make the most of the city’s rivers, parks, coastline and bay. Pack a picnic lunch for a day wandering around the lush surrounds of the botanic gardens or take in the city views on a bike ride along the Yarra River. Whatever the activity, be it paintball, golf, ballooning, Tai Chi or fishing, the helpful staff at a conference venue in Melbourne will be happy to answer all your questions.
If you want to venture a little further afield for the day, you can enjoy a winery tour, see the penguins on Phillip island or take a ride on Puffing Billy Steam Train that will take you through the beautiful Yarra Valley to the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. No matter what your vision, you will find conference centres in Melbourne a wonderful source of information when designing a conference package to delight your delegates.
Melbourne is one of the most exciting cities in the world. With it’s distinctive style and character, it boasts cutting edge developments, classic architecture, a vibrant arts and sports scene and is indeed a fusion of world cultures. Diverse regional attractions, outback wilderness, dramatic coastal vistas and rugged peaks only add to the attraction of a Melbourne conference centre for your next corporate event.
When it comes to options for partner programs, team-building exercises or tours that offer the perfect backdrop for socialising amongst your delegates, regional Melbourne offers a diverse range of exciting day trips. Read the rest of this entry »
Located on the south east coast, Melbourne has one of the more temperate climates in Australia. Melbourne Conference Centres are experienced in working with the sometimes changeable weather to maximise your experience of each distinct season. They boast a long list of unique attractions and sightseeing options – fantastic for partner programs and team building activities.The Summer season in Melbourne enjoys a very pleasant average of 25 degrees Celsius however this can rise to the high 30’s. This increased temperature combined with daylight savings (between the last weekend in October and the last weekend in March) provides the perfect opportunity for your delegates to relax at the end of a full day. The extra hour of sunlight (local time is advanced 1 hour to 11 hours ahead of GMT) allows plenty of time for a stroll around Federation Square or maybe a fine dining experience on the iconic 1927 tram while travelling the streets of Melbourne.Winter averages a mild 14 degrees Celcius and is considered cool to cold. Why not talk to the Conference centres in Melbourne about the many exhibitions and theatre productions on offer in the Winter months especially. Fashion, flowers, comedy and car races are some of the big ticket attractions in Autumn. Variety is also endless in the Spring months with everything from sports and theatre to exhibitions and festivals. Melbourne Conference Centres have an abundance of options for your consideration and the expertise to assist you in planning the ultimate event for your delegates.
39 International Airlines including 24 leading Airlines fly to and from Melbourne Airport
While there are too many possible international connections to mention we can display the Australian locations that are just a quick flight across this vast land, making conferencing in Melbourne and Victoria an easily accessible location and a wise and cost effective option.
Melbourne Airport – Adelaide, Albury, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Burnie Wynyard, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Griffith, Hobart, King Island, Launceston, Mackay, Maroochydore, Merimbula, Mildura, Mt Gambier, Newcastle, Perth, Rockhampton, Sydney, Wagga Wagga.
Distance from Airport to cbd:The airport is about 25km from Melbourne’s CBD which is around 25 minutes by car, of course depending on time of day and density of traffic.Taxis, hire cars, shuttle buses etc are all easily obtained.
Just a couple of great reasons to select your conference venue in Victoria.
