Shellharbour’s Heritage Guesthouses Are Looking for MICE
Ravensthorpe, an exclusive home built in 1893 on a rural estate outside Shellharbour and restored in 2000 as an intimate 5-suite executive retreat, is expanding its meetings and conference facilities.
[Pictured right: Situated in a rural setting, historic Ravensthorpe will soon be able to accommodate meetings and conferences for up to 250 persons.]
The English-style covered conservatorium being built to accommodate 50 people will significantly expand our capabilities to successfully host small meetings and conferences, said Deborah McCallum, Ravensthorpe Guesthouse and Restaurant.
The heritage listed Georgian style residence built in the Edwardian era already has an attached marquee that can comfortably accommodate 200 people.
The marquee is frequently booked for weddings although we are getting more corporate clients especially those searching for an intimate garden surrounded venue that offers all contemporary facilities, she said.
The facilities are complemented with a menu that often features European provincial favourites. As well, we are now offering High Tea on Sundays with continental flair, she said.
Meanwhile, the owners of the California Guest House, the only other vintage
property in the City of Shellharbour, expect that three more fully restored rooms will come on line later in 2007.
[Pictured right: Located on the shores of Lake Illawarra, the two storey California Guest House can be used as an intimate incentive venue.]
Built in the early 1900s as a 23 room guesthouse and transported to its present location on the foreshores of Lake Illawarra in the late 1930s, the manor house now has four elegantly restored rooms suitable for guests seeking that extra level of comfort, said Leanne Smith, California Guest House.
The stately two story Victorian-era California style home built of cypress, pine and Oregon offers queen size bedrooms with ensuites and access to individual verandahs.
There is also a private parlour suitable for small incentive functions as well as a rotunda for cocktails.
The City of Shellharbour on the Illawarra South Coast, 80 minutes south of Sydney and 2½ hours east of Canberra, is attracting increased interest because of the $1½ billion Shell Cove resort and residential development currently under construction.
The Australian Historical Flying Museum which houses one of four still airworthy Super Constellations is also located within the boundaries of the greater City of Shellharbour at the Illawarra Regional Airport, Albion Park.
The airport will be the host venue for Wings Over the Illawarra, a large display of vintage aircraft being held this Saturday, February 24.
Report by Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel & Lifestyle Editor
John Alwyn-Jones
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