Produced in partnership with Destination Central Coast
The Central Coast stretches from the mouth of the Hawkesbury River to the southern shore of Lake Macquarie and west to the Watagan Mountains. On the eastern fringe, the coastline beckons with 40-plus beaches, stunning views from places like Norah Head Lighthouse and wonderful hiking trails in idyllic bushland in Wyrrabalong National Park and Bouddi National Park. The hinterland offers country drives through eye-wateringly beautiful hamlets and valleys, with a thriving creative scene highlighted through the grassroots Central Coast Makers Trail.
For business events, from horse riding and quad biking to zip lining, golf and foodie experiences, the Central Coast delivers.
With over 100 diverse business event spaces that can host five to 1,000 delegates, the Central Coast is the smart option for your next event, and it’s just under an hour’s drive north of Sydney or south of Newcastle.
A day at The Springs
At Peats Ridge, The Springs makes an immediate impression with its artistic lobby, industrial-chic interior styling and sweeping golf course views.
Home to the award-winning Sitting Duck Bistro helmed by chef Dan Capper, the venue combines meeting credentials with exceptional dining.
The Springs caters for conferences, strategy days and milestone events, with flexible spaces for plenary sessions, breakouts and networking. Capacities range from 40 seated for meals in the private dining room to 200 in theatre in the ballroom and 200 for cocktails out on the lawn.
For team building, swap the ballroom for the fairway on this beautiful 18-hole, par-72 championship course.
Event manager Charli Kennedy said the venue attracts a wide range of corporate groups.
“We get a lot of networking events and groups like sports car clubs who love to drive up the Old Highway then have lunch and a meeting.”
The one-stop shop
Set amid tranquil countryside, Mercure Kooindah Waters Golf & Spa Resort offers the convenience of staying, working and networking all in one place.
The resort features five event spaces catering for 12-400 guests, 84 accommodation options ranging from one to three bedrooms and the popular Karinyas Restaurant & Wine Bar. The resort’s 18-hole championship golf course can be used to weave rounds into your program.
The Kooindah Ballroom is the centrepiece of the meeting offering, able to host up to 340 guests and be divided into three spaces. The terrace creates a fun breakout area with Giant Jenga, table tennis and open-air networking opportunities.
Resort manager, Kerri Bullard, said the resort’s exclusivity is a major drawcard.
“Conference organisers can book out both the accommodation – the 84 rooms can cater to 100 people – and the venue, making it their own space.
“With 36 hectares of land, a jogging track, tennis courts, pools and a day spa, guests don’t need to leave the property,” said Bullard.
Saddle up for a country retreat
For large scale events with room to dream big, Glenworth Valley delivers. It is – literally – a blank, green canvas in a beautiful forest-clad valley and can cater for everything from leadership retreats and conferences to launches and team-building events.
Groups range from 10 to 10,000 guests, with the striking Valley Events Centre offering multiple options. The upper-level Wilderness Room hosts up to 250, while the Rainforest Room and Rainforest Lawn create an impressive indoor-outdoor setting for 500-plus guests.
Nathan Murray, venue and events business development manager, said the venue thrives on bespoke experiences.
“We’ve created corporate events with rides and jumping castles for thousands of guests as well as drone shows and light projections on the sandstone cliffs and trees. Virtually nothing is off the table.”
Accommodation includes glamping tents and nearby eco-villas, while activities range from horse riding and kayaking to quad biking, abseiling and axe throwing. The Running of the Horses is a standout experience, with up to 250 horses thundering past at the end of the day.
Book it
The game-changing new Gosford Regional Library that opened in September 2025 is emerging as an unexpected business events venue. It’s state-of-the-art multi-use hall seats 300 and features retractable tiered seating, advanced audio visual technology and a professional sound booth.
Smaller meetings can utilise flexible meeting rooms that cater for 70, while the innovative MakerSpace created by Newcastle University and Central Coast Council adds a creative edge.
A lakeside getaway
Overlooking tranquil Lake Budgewoi, Beachcomber Hotel & Resort at Toukley is a ray of sunshine.
The Hamptons-inspired property has 83 rooms, allowing delegates to stay overnight rather than rushing back to the city after a day of meetings.
Two main function rooms cater for conferences and events, with the Foreshore Room accommodating up to 200 standing with an outdoor space just steps from the lakefront, while the Lake View Room upstairs, also with water views, can accommodate up to 80 for conferencing.
Outdoor areas beside the vibrant Bistro at the Beachie and Pelicans Restaurant create easy networking spaces.
Team building fun
The Central Coast’s diverse landscapes provide endless opportunities for team building experiences. Hidden within Ourimbah State Forest, Treetops Adventure offers an action-packed experience among the trees.
Teams can tackle high ropes courses of varying difficulty, including the aptly named Grip Ripper, or they can brave the 500m Zipcoaster. There is also Networld – a giant trampoline playground suspended in the forest canopy, with eight ‘rooms’ in which to play.
Assistant manager Sal Cordero said the courses naturally bring teams together.
“There’s a lot of encouragement from colleagues cheering each other on. It is a great bonding experience.”
A pearler of a day
For a more relaxed group activity, Broken Bay Pearl Farm at Mooney Mooney offers an immersive experience on the pristine Lower Hawkesbury River.
Tours begin at the ‘Shellar Door’, with guests learning about pearl cultivation before heading onto the water by boat see the oyster leases and learn about these fascinating molluscs.
The experience finishes with an oyster shucking demonstration and tastings of Sydney Rock, Akoya and Angasi oysters.
Private group tours can be arranged. For smaller executive groups, consider elevating the experience with a seaplane transfer.
Eat out
On a free night, book dinner at Motel Mezza in Wyong. The Middle Eastern cuisine is incredible – make sure you have the Beef Cigars – and for a group of up to 10, you can dine in The Vault, a 1930s Chubb vault harking back to the venue’s early life as a bank.
With so much to offer on the Central Coast, from the mountains to the sea, your delegates can be sure you’ll arrive for business and leave refreshed.
For more information on meeting on the Central Coast visit lovecentralcoast.com
