Longtime Sydneysiders and Canberrans will agree: Bowral is one of the best destinations for a getaway. A 90-minute drive from both cities, it has a country-town feel with no traffic, one main street and locals who say ‘hello’. But it also offers plenty to do.
It makes sense then that Bowral has long been a popular spot for events. It attracts a steady stream of visitors holding work events like conferences, talks and networking sessions, and personal events, like weddings, anniversary parties and milestone birthdays.
If you’re looking to hold an event in Bowral too, this guide should tell you exactly what to do to plan it. From the details to consider with your event’s itinerary, to the most important thing to keep in mind throughout the planning, here’s how to transform your event in Bowral vision into a reality.
Choose Your Venue
First, you’ll want to choose your event venue in Bowral. Look no further than Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral, the largest hotel in the Southern Highlands and with the most event spaces.
The hotel has 77 rooms and suites and eight different-sized rooms, ranging from the Gallery room with double-heighted ceilings, a fireplace and a French-style chandelier to the Gibraltar Ballroom, which can accommodate 250 guests seated and 280 standing.
Plan Your Event Itinerary
Once you’ve chosen the venue and event agenda for your event, you’ll want to think about the itinerary. It’s important to strike a balance between organised activities and free time as you want to ensure guests get a chance to relax. You also might want to encourage them to leave the hotel or day-space to they can breathe in fresh air.
Gibbergunyah Reserve, Cherry Tree Walk and Mount Gibraltar Reserve and Lookout are some walks in Bowral guests can enjoy. Or, if they’re keen to soak up some culture, they Ngununggula, Southern Highlands Regional Gallery and Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame.
Organise Logistics and External Suppliers
After choosing the venue and planning your event itinerary, you’ll need to organise how you’ll get to the event, tell everyone what they’ll need to bring and organise any bits outside of your group’s time at Park Proxi.
For instance, depending on where you’re coming from, you might want to organise a bus to bring your guests to Bowral. You’ll also need to tell guests they might need to bring dressier clothes for a nice dinner or swimmers to use the hotel’s pool. And you’ll need to organise any meals at outside restaurants and any other activities you might want to do.
As of September 1 this year, Park Proxi will offer an events food package by Sydney’s Lotus Dining Group. Dishes will include Lotus favourites, plus new items showcasing the Southern Highlands’ produce.
Set Your Goals
Lastly, when planning an event not just in Bowral but anywhere, you want to think about what your goal is. Having a goal will keep you on track with planning and help you avoid getting sidetracked.
If it’s a work off-site you’re planning, your goal might be to have the team connect socially, so they can work better together. If it’s a birthday bash you’re planning, your goal might be to create memories with your friends and family you’ll never forget. Whatever it is, take some time to formulate it before you even start planning.
Related: A Guide to Experiencing the Best of Bowral in 48 Hours
Related: NSW’s Best Weekend Getaways, Ranked By Someone Who’s Never Home
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