The swan city

Elizabeth Quay. Photo / Supplied.

Western Australia’s capital and largest city rises around the banks of the Swan River, named for the local black swans, which have become the city of Perth’s emblem. By Kris Madden

A city with coastal charm and colonial stories, Perth is the sunniest city in Australia, as well as having one of the world's largest inner city parks. The new dining precinct Elizabeth Quay is spectacular at night when the city skyline is reflected on the river.

Within half an hour of the city lies the wineries and microbreweries, arts, crafts and bushlands of the Swan Valley, Western Australia's oldest wine region. The renowned wine-growing region of Margaret River is three hours away.


STAY
CROWN TOWERS PERTH
Newly opened in December 2016 overlooking Perth's city skyline, Crown Towers Perth has brought a new level of hotel luxury and facilities to Perth. An eight-year AUD750 million redevelopment of the former Burswood International Resort Casino, has resulted in Western Australia's only fully integrated entertainment resort. The additional 500 rooms, suites and villas bring Crown Perth's total capacity to 1,200 rooms, making it the largest hotel complex in the city.

Business events: The Crown Ballroom is one of the largest event spaces in the city, hosting up to 1,500 guests banquet-style, with an outdoor terrace for cocktails.

Food and wine: Crown has some of the best restaurants in Perth by celebrated Australian chefs, including Bistro Guillaume, Rockpool, Nobu, and contemporary open-kitchen dining experience, Epicurean, along with sophisticated bars: MINQ and The Waiting Room.

crowntowersperth.com.au


COMO THE TREASURY
When a hotel is voted second best in the world, it must be good. Perth's 48-room boutique COMO The Treasury, received this accolade from magazine publisher Conde Nast last year. Occupying the top floors of three historic 19th century Victorian-era buildings, the hotel is part of a AUD580-million-dollar redevelopment of the city's Cathedral Avenue precinct.

Business events: Facilities include three private dining rooms, a boardroom with separate breakout room, and exclusive hire of all venues.

Food and wine: The rooftop signature restaurant Wildflower serves a farm-and-forager-style menu for 80 seated guests or cocktail party for up to 120 guests.

comohotels.com/thetreasury


OFFSITE VENUE
BEAUMONDE ON THE POINT, FUNCTION CENTRE
Set on the Perth waterfront overlooking the Swan River, Beaumonde on the Point Function Centre opened late last year as one of the city's finest venues.

Business events: The Grand Ballroom and rooftop bar can host private events for 50 to 1,000 guests.

Food and wine: Showcases modern menus of
West Australian seasonal produce along with Western Australian wines.

thepointbarandgrill.com.au/functions


TEAM-BUILDING
CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES
What better way to bond with your team than over a cold beer (or cider)? Captain Cook Cruises offers a full day 'Craft Beer Cruise' that takes your team down the Swan River for a walking tour of three of Fremantle's top breweries. Captain Cook's fleet of luxury vessels also operate a range of scenic, wine and dinner cruises. The flagship James Stirling, can cater for 225 guests banquet-style or 330 cocktail-style.

captaincookcruises.com.au


SANDALFORD WINES
Sandalford Wines is one of Australia's oldest and largest family-owned winemakers. The winery has a range of function rooms and an outdoor marquee, and can cater for up to 1,000 guests. The Underground Cellar
can host 400 guests cocktail-style; 250 buffet-style; or 250 banquet-style. Teams can play winemakers for the day and blend their own wine under the guidance of Sandalford's experienced staff, leaving with a bottle of blended wine as a lasting keepsake.

sandalford.com


SAILING ON THE SWAN RIVER
Swan River Sailing offers exciting team building programs built around a workshop called 'Teamwork is Everything', held at the prestigious Royal Perth Yacht Club. Based on the winning 1983 America's Cup team on board the yacht 'Australia II', the workshop is presented by Skip Lissiman, a member of the winning Australian crew. Swan River Sailing can accommodate a total of 132 people at one time for a sailing regatta. Groups are broken into teams of five to seven people per yacht. Functions can also be held at the Perth Yacht Club which can accommodate up to 400 people cocktail-style, or 2,000 on an outdoor lawn area.

swanriversailing.com


ACCESS
Air New Zealand and Qantas fly direct daily from Auckland to Perth Airport with a flight time of 7.5 hours. Qantas and Emirates also have flights from Auckland via Sydney; while Air New Zealand, Qantas and Virgin Australia offer
flights via Brisbane.


WHAT'S NEW
Perth has more than 8,000 rooms, with an additional 2,000 planned by 2020.
The Perth Stadium, scheduled to open in 2018, will be a multi-purpose 60,000-seat venue for events including concerts, cricket, and rugby, including the Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand's All Blacks and Qantas Wallabies in 2019.

More info: The Perth Convention Bureau