TASMANIA
48 mice.net
small villas overlooking the river and an art gallery of ancient
artefacts (particularly South American) donated by a dot.com
philanthropist.This is a fascinating place for a corporate lunch,
has fine cuisine, and can handle groups of up to 70.The hi-tech
looking villas are great for small meetings/executive meals.The
owners are building a 300 seat hall. Our meal was followed with
a quick tour of the museum.
After lunch we visited the Meadowbank Winery Estate (can
readers see an alcohol theme evolving here?) which can handle
groups of up to 250 guests. Staff at this property have organised
theme nights based on movie banquets such as Babette's Feast
and Chocolat, and can arrange double decker bus transfers to
Hobart hotels. It is also a venue for classical music concerts, and
a winner of the best State Tourism Restaurant Award. Their
sauvignon is highly recommended!
Following this grastronomic delight we departed for
Freycinet National Park, about two hours (most people finding
it very easy to sleep after all the drink).
Arriving at Freycinet Lodge, with 60 lodges, some of which
are spa cabins, it wasn't hard to see what great facilities it has.As
a convention venue it has a maximum configuration of 116 sq
metres for 144 pax theatre style. Smaller meeting rooms also
offer beautiful views over the beach and mountains. Dinner on
the first evening was at the hotel's Bay Restaurant which seats
120 - one seat this night occupied by Neumann from Seinfeld!
(mice.net loves a good celebrity spotting!)
Dinner was delicious Tasmanian produce, focussing on
seafood. The hotel is also where Bush Dust, a blend of
Australian spices, was first concocted by an ex-employee.
Day 02
After breakfast participants took a walk through the bush and
up a very steep hill to the lookout offering views over Wineglass
Bay.The lookout is available for functions and events, the Lions
(young presidents) being recent guests.
We headed back for a picnic at Honeymoon Bay, just
outside the lodge's grounds, which would be a suitable spot for
an outdoor BBQ or even an open sided marquee dinner.
Departure followed for Campbell Town, en route to
Launceston. Campbell Town is a pretty heritage village but,
unfortunately, the antique shops were closed on a Saturday
afternoon. Bizarre!
We arrived in the evening at the Country Club Resort.This
classy looking building is just a few miles outside Launceston.
This Federal property features an international standard 18 hole
golf course, pool, and several restaurants, in addition to 104
refurbished rooms.
The evening inspection of the brand new Queen Victoria
Museum and Art Gallery Launceston is easily one of the most
original event venues in Tasmania, with a wealth of options for
theming, whether it be in the old train workshops, aboard an
old Pullman coach, in the art gallery or outside - it really should
be investigated by any organiser planning a seriously different
type of event for Tassie. And music can be provided by
Tasmanian leather horns created by local craftsman.
Dinner was at Cameron's Corner Restaurant at the
Launceston International, formerly ACCOR managed. The
new look International is now building a state of the art
convention centre which already has its first function booked
for February 2003.
"Only one please Madam". Cellar tasting at Moorilla
2 star accommodation at Wineglass Bay
Dining in Moorilla Museum
Cataract Gorge, home of James Boags!!
