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Discover the Ultimate Executive Retreat: 3 Unforgettable Corporate Getaways

Located just an hour’s drive from bustling Melbourne, Geelong and The Bellarine offers an ideal setting for your next corporate retreat. With the new fiscal year upon us, now is the perfect time to lock in dates and plan your executive retreats. To help you start strong in FY 24/25, we have curated three luxurious venues perfect for board members, executives, leadership, and sales teams to strategise for the year ahead and reconnect in the tranquil surroundings of Geelong and The Bellarine.

The Lon Spa and Retreat Point Lonsdale.

The Lon Spa and Retreat in Point Lonsdale is a luxurious haven in a charming coastal town known for its seaside tranquillity, historic lighthouse, surf breaks, and calm bay waters. Just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, this five-star retreat blends seamlessly with the rugged seaside landscape. The Lon Spa & Retreat offers seven uniquely designed suites, each reflecting the natural beauty of the ocean, lakes, and surrounding farmland. Every suite is a personal sanctuary, combining earthy tones with contemporary luxury, making it an ideal escape for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.

Conferencing facilities

The Lon Spa and Retreat creates the canvas for a productive meeting space and even more productive wind down afterwards, with the ability to transform into an event space, both indoors and outdoors.

Offering abundant natural light, the meeting space can cater for up to 20 people.

Dining and Entertainment

Catering can be arranged prior to your retreat, allowing you to stay onsite. This option makes The Lon the ideal venue for delegates to slow down and enjoy local produce and wine.

 

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Quest Geelong Central

Conveniently situated just a 60-minute drive from Melbourne, Quest Geelong Central is a premier destination for corporate retreats. Located in the heart of Geelong’s CBD, with views of Corio Bay, this newly built venue provides an idyllic setting for business meetings and retreats. Whether hosting a seminar, training session, meeting, or product launch, Quest Geelong can adapt its surroundings to meet your needs. Combining luxury with personalised accommodation, Quest Geelong is the perfect place for your team to unwind and connect.

Conferencing and accommodation facilities

Their purpose-built corporate space is perfect for everything from small conferences to large executive meetings. Additionally, the property features 87 spacious serviced apartments, a business lounge, and a rooftop gym.

After work, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. You can take a shuttle bus to one of the many award-winning wineries in Geelong and The Bellarine, or stay in and savor the full taste of the region with onsite catering. Quest Central Geelong is equipped to meet all your needs.

 

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Mt Duneed Estate

A successful corporate retreat can energise and unify your company’s leadership and that is exactly what Mt Duneed aims to achieve in their executive retreat offering. Enjoy spectacular views over the vineyard in both meeting space and the luxury accommodation pods.

Situated an hour 15 from Melbourne CBD in Mt Duneed, Geelong and surrounded by 100 acres of vineyard and country views, Mt Duneed Estate creates a serene backdrop which serves as a peaceful sanctuary fostering creativity.

With several meeting and break out spaces to select from, your team will be able to refocus and recharge amidst nature’s beauty. Whether you are engaging in team meetings and brainstorming sessions or enjoying quiet reflection moments, this estate’s location sets the stage for an unforgettable experience.

Accommodation

Mt Duneed’s eight one-bedroom accommodation rooms are perfect for small meeting groups to stay on-site and make the most of our stunning surrounds.

Each of the eight pods come equipped with a king-sized bed, high-end furnishings, kitchenette, coffee machine, and mini lounge area.

Looking to host a larger corporate retreat? Mt Duneed has partnered with Quest Geelong Central who has the ability to supply an additional 87 rooms. Together with Quest, they can facilitate transport to and from Mt Duneed Estate.

 

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Some Tips for Planning Your Next Corporate Retreat

To plan a successful corporate retreat, you require careful consideration and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your corporate experience

Define Your Goals

Start by clearly outlining the objectives and desired outcomes of your retreat. Whether it is fostering team building, sparking creativity or enhancing communication, defining your goals will help shape the agenda and activities to ensure a meaningful experience for your team. If possible, consider conducting pre-retreat surveys or meetings to gather input from team members.

Set a Budget

Many companies set a budget, but very few actually keep it. A solution to the budgeting problem is to determine a realistic budget that aligns with your team’s needs and the offerings available. Consider factors such as accommodation, meals, activities, and any additional services to ensure that you can maximise the value of your investment. At all of the above venues you can explore package options which suit your needs. This will keep you within a budget without compromising the experience.

Plan the Agenda

To ensure a successful retreat, develop a well-rounded agenda that balances work sessions, team-building activities, and leisure time. Consider incorporating a mix of activities which cater to different interests and preferences. These may include dedicated networking opportunities, skill-building workshops, and wellness activities. An engaging agenda, will create a dynamic and enriching retreat experience which fosters collaboration among your team members.

Be Flexible

Remain open to adjustments and changes throughout the retreat to accommodate unforeseen circumstances. It’s also best to embrace spontaneity, allowing for moments of relaxation and connection to unfold naturally.

Collect Feedback

Following the retreat, you want to gather feedback from your team to evaluate its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement to help inform future planning efforts. One of the ways to collect feedback is to implement post-retreat surveys. You should also analyse feedback data and identify key themes and trends which can be used for future retreat planning.

 

Business Events Geelong is the Convention Bureau to Geelong and The Bellarine, representing more than 550 professional businesses in the business events industry. Services are free and include assistance with providing planning resources, site inspections, guidance with sourcing venues and suppliers for corporate events. Connect with us today to learn more about our incredible region Click Here