1/ Royal Botanic Gardens
Before getting absorbed in Melbourne as a business events destination as its service providers handle large groups and logistics, let your delegates enjoy one of the city’s green lungs. The Royal Botanic Gardens were first established in 1846 on the land of the Kulin Nation where a Welcome to Country can be given to event groups.
Amid its 38 hectares with 8,000 plant species, event space is available including The Terrace, overlooking the gardens’ Ornamental Lake. Working with outdoor catering specialists, breakfast, brunches and dinners can be set for up to 150 guests seated or 300 for cocktails with entertainment in the form of musicians and cosplayers also available.
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
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2/ Lux Coach
Stretch limos are far too common a sight in cities with the streetscape to contain them, but arriving in style after a longer time on the road between destinations calls for a vehicle more in line with comfort and style. Take a unique bus journey instead.
The Lux Coach comes with a cocktail bar as the interior centrepiece with the all-vital bathroom and powder room at the rear. It adds miles of class to a winery tour, an incentive itinerary or a post-conference treat for a group of up to 20.
On-board presentations can even be held with a 127cm LCD TV in the lounge section for those last-minute annual reports and briefings!
Lux Coach
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3/ Marvel Stadium
While sport forms an inherent part of Australian culture, the country’s homespun game is Australian-rules Football. Marvel Stadium in the Docklands area of the city has played host to grand sporting occasions and concerts aplenty over the years, from rugby and international soccer to basketball and gigs by the likes of Adele, Ed Sheeran, Pink and the AIME 50th celebrations in 2023. For ardent followers of Aussie Rules, the venue is home to five AFL clubs, and footie is the priority, but corporate hospitality is also to the fore, or rather at the corporate suites.
For overseas groups visiting Melbourne, Marvel Stadium’s events team can arrange an Aussie Rules welcome with delegates able to try their hand (and foot) and making the unique football travel whether by drop kicking or a “puck” it with the side of the fist. Behind-the-scenes tours can also be arranged with view of the warm-up areas, team briefing rooms and the press-conference room with personalised AFL gifts on entering the dressing room.
Sports stadiums now come with corporate hospitality, and the AFL-owned Marvel Stadium has a keen eye on being one of the choices for business event groups being entertained during an event, or enjoying a tour followed by a range of dining choices.
More than 20 purpose-built venues are available from long-table VIP rooms serving haute cuisine to laid back terrace bars offering cocktails and gourmet treats. For fine-dining enthusiasts, the stadium has a partnership with Melbourne celebrity chef Peter Gunn and his team, whose Black Box dessert is an after-mains delight for the adventurous.
Plans for 2024 will see the stadium expand its premium hospitality for game- and non-gaming days as part of a A$225 million redevelopment to make the venue an even more appealing Melbourne destination.
Marvel Stadium
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4/ Water Taxis and River Cruises
Docklands Harbour is overlooked by Marvel Stadium and the city’s choice of vessels on which to enjoy this part of the Yarra River is the next port of call, and a short stroll from the stadium.
One of the mooring points close to Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is suitable for disembarking after a journey from Docklands and to the more busy South Wharf stretch of the Yarra.
The Water Taxi system allows groups to connect from one venue to another; for example, Marvel Stadium to the convention centre and hotels and restaurants. Special services are even laid on for concerts at the stadium with a short voyage to see Tom Jones perform among the offers.
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5/ BBC Earth Experience
Step into a world far removed from the business events facilities at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) with a multiscreen immersive experience with dramatic nature documentary footage from BBC Earth. Narrated by David Attenborough, hours of footage is beamed onto multi-angled surfaces across the walls and ceiling in a 360-degree visual journey across seven continents.
Sections of the walk-in digital exhibition feature water life, sweeping landscapes, insects and more in specially designed breakout zones with interactive technology creating a fascinating experience beyond the conference and exhibition settings down the corridors.
BBC Earth Experience runs until April 28.
bbcearthexperience.com/melbourne
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6/ River Pavilion
Sundowners are another Australian institution as the working day draws to a close and welcomes the cocktail hour. Treat tour groups to drinks and canapés by the Yarra after a visit to immersive events at the MCEC such as Vincent Van Gogh at The Lume, the BBC Earth Experience or after a day on the conference or exhibition floor.
The River Pavilion is one of the latest projects from the Showtime Events Group, which has given this part of South Wharf an alfresco vibe with the Melbourne city skyline and Yarra River as a backdrop.
The pavilion has a marquee structure with a two-level main building with bar, dancefloor and stage leading to the open-air section with temporary stage, a more permanent bar and those sundowners.
Even in Australia, the Great Outdoors is not always that great when inclement weather arrives, but the party can go on with transparent glass panels swiftly installed to protect revellers from wind and rain. And, of course, the River Pavilion also has a great indoors alongside at the Showtime Events Centre!
