Great packages to explore the best of the Illawarra

The opening of the new Grand Pacific Drive – NSW’s answer to the Great Ocean Road in Victoria – will drive tourism to Wollongong, attracting greater visitor numbers to the Novotel Northbeach Wollongong, which aims to be the ‘gold at the end of the rainbow’ for the region.

As the first international hotel to open in Wollongong, Novotel Northbeach has played a vital role in attracting visitors to the region from both Australia and overseas for almost a decade.

The spectacular 70-kilometre drive encompasses beautiful coastal rainforests, sheer cliffs, quaint coastal villages and an impressive 665m sea bridge which juts out over the ocean. At the end of this beautiful drive is the bustling coastal city of Wollongong, with a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors.

Novotel Northbeach Wollongong has won numerous tourism awards over the years – including the coveted People’s Choice Award which recognises outstanding service and facilities – and provides the perfect base for drive holidaymakers to explore the best of the south coast.

Surrounded by 17 of the best and cleanest surf beaches, Lake Illawarra and breathtaking rainforest, Novotel Northbeach is only one hour’s drive from Sydney and two-and-a-half hours from Canberra.

With a destination so diverse in attractions, families staying at the 203-room Novotel have the world at their door when it comes to something to do.

From surf lessons, scuba diving, snorkelling, white water canoeing or fishing to mountain-biking, go-karting, horse-riding or golf, the choices are endless. A trip to Robertson on the Cockatoo Run steam train followed by lunch is a popular day out and one that requires no driving, and for the more adventurous, a tandem parachute jump, scenic flight, hanglide or abseil off Stanwell Tops, Mount Kembla or Mount Keira might just be the trick.

Jamberoo Park, with its numerous attractions and rides – is only 30 minutes from the hotel, and bushwalking, picnics, relaxation at the Nan Tien Temple or exploring the hidden history of Mount Kembla Village add an immediate air of relaxation to any holiday.

Back at the hotel, the supervised kids club is available during weekends and school holidays and the broad range of kids activities change daily with outings to the movies, mini-Olympics and beach adventures, cooking classes and in-house entertainment. Hotel recreation facilities include an outdoor pool, gym, sauna, spa, full-size tennis court and for mum and dad, lively bars and restaurants, Treasure Cove Gaming Lounge, boutiques and the hotel night club.

With boogie boards for hire at reception, sandcastle-building competitions and surf lessons in front of the hotel and more, it is never a dull moment at the Novotel. Located on the beach in the heart of the magnificent Illawarra region, Novotel Northbeach is one of the South Coast’s most popular family getaway destinations.

The opening of the Grand Pacific Drive will also make the Novotel even more popular for conferences with Sydney companies having an extra incentive to head south. The hotel’s conference centre, which was recently refurbished, includes 12 meeting rooms and ballroom with car access and capacity for up to 660 delegates.

The hotel is also renowned for themed events, spouse programs and full event production. Staging connections and an in-house photographer are located at the hotel and provide an immediate and professional service to all conference groups.

To celebrate the opening of the Grand Pacific Drive, newly arrived General Manger Walter Immoos is offering a special package of overenight accommodation in a standard room plus buffet breakfast for two, from just $219 per night until 31 March 2006. For bookings phone (02) 4224 3111.