Day Two of the Mega Famil

Showcasing Geelong's Diverse Event Venues and Experiences

Day two of the Meet Geelong and The Bellarine Mega Famil highlighted the breadth of venues, experiences and event infrastructure available throughout the region, providing our 38 event planners and media guests with an immersive look at why Geelong and The Bellarine continue to grow as a leading business events destination.

Following overnight stays at accommodation partners across the region, guests were collected by Victorian Bus Charters and transported to the first destination of the day, Mt Duneed Estate.

Mt Duneed Estate: Wellness, Retreats and Large-Scale Events

Nestled amongst rolling vineyards, Mt Duneed Estate provided the perfect setting to begin the day.

Guests were welcomed with tea and coffee before embarking on a site inspection of the venue, which has been purpose-built to cater for both large-scale functions and executive retreats. With capacity for up to 500 guests cocktail style, dedicated event spaces, a boardroom and eight luxury accommodation pods onsite, Mt Duneed Estate offers flexibility for everything from corporate retreats and leadership programs through to gala dinners and offsite events.

Following the site tour, guests participated in an awakening and stretching session led by Jo Surkitt from Revitalise Escapes. The wellness experience showcased how event programs can incorporate health and wellbeing elements, leaving attendees energised and ready for a full day of activities and venue inspections.

Provenance Wines: Heritage, History and Hands-On Experiences

The next stop was Provenance Wines, one of the region's most unique heritage venues.

Housed within the beautifully restored Federal Woollen Mills bluestone building dating back to the 1870s, Provenance combines rich local history with contemporary hospitality. The venue's character-filled spaces provide a distinctive backdrop for private functions, corporate events and incentive programs for groups of up to 250 guests.

Beyond its event capabilities, Provenance offers a range of immersive experiences designed to engage groups and create memorable moments. During the famil, guests participated in the venue's signature wine blending experience, stepping into the role of winemaker as they crafted their own unique blend.

Once satisfied with their creation, guests had the opportunity to bottle their blend and take it home, creating a lasting reminder of their experience in the region. The session was complemented by canapés and networking, showcasing the venue's ability to combine team building, storytelling and local produce into a single experience.

Crowne Plaza Geelong: Modern Meetings and Waterfront Views

The group then travelled to Crowne Plaza Geelong, where guests explored one of the region's newest hotel and conference offerings.

Featuring 200 accommodation rooms, eight conference and meeting spaces and capacity for events of up to 300 guests, Crowne Plaza offers a contemporary solution for conference organisers seeking a central waterfront location.

To showcase the hotel's experiential offering, guests participated in a pizza masterclass led by the hotel's head chef before enjoying the pizzas they had created alongside a selection of side dishes.

The experience concluded with drinks and canapés at Skyline Bar on level 10, where guests enjoyed panoramic views across Corio Bay while learning more about the hotel's event capabilities.

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre: A New Era for Business Events

One of the most anticipated visits of the famil was an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, scheduled to open in July 2026.

Positioned on Geelong's waterfront, the centre will transform the region's ability to attract and host large-scale conferences, exhibitions and business events.

Guests experienced firsthand the scale and sophistication of the facility, which will offer capacity for up to 1,702 delegates across 14 flexible meeting and event spaces. With stunning bay views, purpose-built conference facilities and state-of-the-art technology, the centre will provide event organisers with a world-class venue in the heart of Geelong.

Its location places delegates within walking distance of major accommodation providers, restaurants and attractions, while also offering direct access to complementary venues including Deakin University's Waterfront Campus, providing additional flexibility for conference programs and offsite events.

Novotel Geelong: Growth and Future Opportunities

The famil continued at Novotel Geelong, where guests were welcomed by the hotel's General Manager and provided with an update on the significant redevelopment currently underway.

Already a leading accommodation and conference venue within the region, Novotel currently offers 109 guest rooms and conference facilities for up to 230 delegates seated.

Upon completion of the redevelopment in 2027, the hotel will become the largest accommodation provider in the region, expanding to 243 guest rooms alongside new conference and event facilities capable of hosting up to 300 delegates.

Guests also experienced one of the hotel's popular incentive offerings through an interactive cocktail masterclass. Guided by the venue's mixologist, attendees created and sampled cocktails while enjoying local cheeses and canapés, with breaks between sessions allowing guests to soak in the spectacular waterfront views from the hotel's conference level balcony.

Deakin University Waterfront Campus: Historic Character Meets Modern Capability

The final destination for day two was Deakin University's Waterfront Campus.

Located within Geelong's iconic former wool stores, the campus seamlessly blends historic architecture with contemporary event infrastructure. The beautifully restored buildings now house a range of technologically advanced and digitally connected event spaces suited to conferences, seminars, exhibitions and corporate functions.

Guests were welcomed with drinks courtesy of Clyde Park Vineyard before embarking on a guided site tour. Event spaces including the Waterfront Pantry, Western Beach Room, Gallery and Courtyard showcased the diversity of options available, with capacities ranging from intimate dinners through to cocktail events for up to 1,500 guests.

The evening concluded with a three-course dining experience paired with wines from Clyde Park Vineyard. As guests reflected on the day's experiences, the dinner provided an opportunity for meaningful conversations, industry insights and further exploration of the partnerships that make Geelong and The Bellarine such a compelling business events destination.

Building Connections Through Experience

From wellness experiences and heritage venues to new conference infrastructure and waterfront event spaces, day two of the Mega Famil demonstrated the diversity, accessibility and innovation that define Geelong and The Bellarine's business events offering.

By experiencing venues firsthand, meeting local industry partners and participating in immersive activities, guests gained a deeper understanding of the opportunities available for conferences, corporate events, incentives and executive retreats throughout the region.

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