The best destinations for corporate retreats in 2022

A corporate retreat is a valuable and rewarding experience for team members within a business. They can range from one-day events to a weekend escape, or even a week-long getaway. They provide opportunities for colleagues to relax and bond together outside the confines of the usual working environment. These retreats offer an exciting and novel way of bringing people together, whilst sharing a unique experience.

Research has shown there are many benefits for teams involved in corporate retreats. These range from greater compatibility, improved communication, camaraderie, and a boosted productivity post-retreat. Corporate retreats can be used as incentives for staff who have reached certain milestones. They can also be effective motivators to gear up a team that may be experiencing change or taking on new projects. Or they can simply be a way to re-connect with team members and create a stronger sense of culture.

With a variety of ways to incorporate corporate retreats into your employee incentive program, let’s take a look at some of the top destinations for corporate retreats in 2022.

Blue Mountains, NSW

A rugged wilderness with spectacular scenery only 50km North West of Sydney CBD. The Blue Mountains region has a lot to offer from dramatic cliffs to eucalyptus forests, waterfalls, and sandstone plateaus. This area offers an Australian bush vibe with many accommodation options to suit your group’s needs. From ultra-luxe resorts to more historic heritage accommodation, there will be something to suit any group within local the area.

Activities in the region include;

• Day hikes to the Three Sisters, rising to nearly 1km above sea level, these sandstone formations are a must-see when visiting the Blue Mountains.
• Visit Wentworth Falls, a waterfall with an impressive 297 metre drop, is one of the most picturesque in the region.
• Explore Jenolan Caves, one of the finest and oldest cave systems in the world.
• Experience Scenic World, the world’s steepest railway letting you experience the Jamison Valley from a whole new perspective from your open-air cabin.
  
  

Daylesford & Hepburn Springs, VIC

Hepburn Springs and the Daylesford area are home to the largest concentration of mineral springs in Australia. Situated 115km North West of Melbourne, the region is the perfect spot to relax and rejuvenate, whilst enjoying the enriching health-giving minerals found in these natural waters. Of course, there is more to enjoy within the local area from outdoor activities to food and wine, with something to suit everyone.  Accommodation options range from woodland cottages on acreage to historic country guest houses, depending on your group size and what you’re objectives are for the weekend, we are sure to find you somewhere special. 

Activities in the area include;

• Visit the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, a leafy expanse sitting atop an extinct volcano. Be sure to check out the 19th-century mansion, now home to the Convent Gallery there as well.
• Unwind at the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, the only historic bathhouse in the area operating and providing traditional wellness bathing since 1895.
• Discover and indulge in some local food and wine!
• Explore the iconic Hanging Rock, located within a 40-minute drive of Daylesford.
• Take a stroll around Daylesford Lake or along many of the hiking trails including the Goldfields track.

Uluru, NT

Uluru is a traditional meeting place, so why not bring your team here to reunite as well. 450km South-West from Alice Springs in the bottom corner of the Northern Territory, sits the sacred sandstone monolith. Said to have started forming 550 million years ago, it is fair to say that this region has something special to offer its visitors.  Experiencing the outback with your team can range from a stripped-back camping experience looking up at the milky way in all its glory, to a more luxe vibe in a wilderness resort.

Activities in the area include;

• Participate in a guided Mala walk along Uluru’s base
• Experience the Field of Light art installation, where 50,000 solar-powered spheres light up an area the size of 7 football fields.
• Dine under the stars, a number of restaurants and resorts in the area offer the opportunity to eat in an open-air restaurant and enjoy a campfire and the starry night sky.
• Join in on a dot-painting or wood-carving workshop with local Maruku artists
• See the sights a different way, from a camel tour to a helicopter ride to a segway, there are multiple ways to get around and enjoy the region. 

Lockyer Valley, QLD

A region about 120km West of Brisbane, in which to experience country living at its finest. A spot where paddock meets plate in the heart of one of the 10 most fertile farming and agricultural areas in the world. This means it’s the perfect place for a country escape. Enjoy world-class restaurants, art galleries, horse riding, and heritage trails all whilst breathing in the fresh country air. For your team, accommodation options can include luxurious yet traditional Australian homesteads, spacious chalets or secluded off-grid options as well.

Activities in the area include;

• Visit the roadside stalls and buy produce direct from the farmer
• Get outside and enjoy the great outdoors at the Australian World Heritage Area at Glen Rock National Park. You can walk, cycle, ride motorbikes, or even 4WD within the park.
• Enjoy the country pubs as the locals do
• Drop into the Lockyer Valley Art Gallery

Mornington Peninsula, VIC

The Mornington Peninsula region of Victoria has long been a favourite for local Melbournians. Just under 80km South of Melbourne, the area makes for the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can treat yourself and your team to luxurious 5-star retreats or get back to nature and go glamping! The options are endless down this end of the peninsula, so it offers many options for groups to tailor their corporate retreat easily to suit their specific needs.

Activities in the area include;

• Tee off with the team, take your pick of one of the numerous golf courses within the region
• Drink up! Visit a cellar door or brewery, gin distillery, or whatever takes your fancy. This region, whilst well known for its wines, has a lot to offer when it comes to the drinks menu!
• Take a dip in one of the hot springs.
• Explore a coastal walk, with a rugged coastline on one side and a quieter bay on the other, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to beach walks.
• Hit the sea and go fishing, or jump in and go snorkeling or scuba diving in the bay.

Barossa Valley, SA

Just under 60km North East of Adelaide will find you in the heart of the Barossa Valley. Well known for its wines, the region is actually one of Australia’s oldest wine regions and plays host to 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors. Not only does it have great grapes, but there is plenty to do whilst exploring the countryside. Accommodation options are vast and offers options to stay in elegant vistas, luxurious lodges, or contemporary resort settings, depending on your length of stay and group size.

Activities in the area include;

• Hot air ballooning over the vineyards at sunrise.
• Explore one of the local National Parks. From Sandy Creek Conservation Park, Hale Conservation Park, and Para Wirra Conservation Park, there are plenty of walking trails to enjoy and furry friends to discover along the way.
• Get the blood flowing and cycle the Barossa Trail.
• Delve into one of the many art galleries in the region, and be sure to visit the Barossa Chataeu, home to one of the largest collections of porcelain ever to be seen in Australia.

Hamilton Island, QLD

Flying direct to the white sandy beaches, Hamilton Island makes a tropical corporate getaway simple. Right in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, this is the destination to sit back and soak up the sun.  With many ways to enjoy your stay on the island, accommodation ranges from luxurious resorts set amongst tropical gardens to eco-friendly lodges for you to unplug from the outside world.

Activities in the area include;

• Discover the wonders underneath the water, go scuba-diving or snorkeling, and explore Australia’s natural wonder of the world, The Great Barrier Reef.
• Partake in an art class.
• Buckle up and go go-karting or take an Off-Road Tour on an all-terrain vehicle.
• Meet the locals, and visit the Hamilton Island Wildlife Park.
• Get your steps up with the Hamilton Island Icons Trail and take in four iconic landmarks and the spectacular ocean views.

Margaret River, WA

Now with its own airport, this Western Australian destination has become a whole lot more accessible. An area that is also known for its award-winning wines, this small town in the South of Western Australia has a lot to offer. Surf breaks and stunning beaches line the nearby coast and from June-November migrating whales can be seen from the shores. Whilst further inland we have expansive farmlands, caves, and vineyards as far as the eye can see!  Whether opulent resorts, staying within the vineyards or a beachside villa is what you’re after, the Margaret River region will have accommodation options to suit your team.

Activities in the area include;

• Take flight over the coastline on a seaplane
• Find your inner daredevil and try your hand at abseiling, rock-climbing, or cave crawling
• Discover the treetops and zip through the canopies on flying foxes, ropes courses, and giant swings.
• Hop between the many cellar doors and boutique breweries.
• Paddle up the river in a canoe and enjoy some bush-tucker at the end.
• Visit a local produce providore.

Byron Bay, NSW

The well-known coastal town, 35km north of Ballina Byron airport, has the laid-back vibes to put your stress at ease. Known for its beautiful beaches and surf, as well as its yoga and hippie lifestyle, the slow pace of life in this town may be exactly what your team needs.  Maybe you want to immerse your team into the lifestyle and stay at a yoga retreat or maybe you’re after a rainforest/jungle escape, there are many options for you to choose from during your stay within the region.

Activities in the area include;

• Enjoy a coastal walk to Cape Byron lighthouse.
• Sea kayak with dolphins or snorkel with sea turtles
• Explore the hinterland region and visit the rainforest, waterfalls, and caves. See if you can spot some glow worms whilst you’re there!
• Visit during June and November and spot humpback whales during their annual migration.
• Take time out to practice guided meditation or a yoga class by the beach.

The importance of stepping out of the office and re-connecting with our teams has never been more important. Corporate retreats offer the perfect opportunity to increase engagement between employees and focus on developing company values. These retreats are often a great way to learn more about your staff and for them to learn more about each other. The agenda doesn’t have to always be work-related, and often a mix of social and work/team-bonding activities seems to work best. Choosing a destination for your corporate retreat that is outside of your usual environment brings a level of excitement and curiosity to the planned event.

Offering corporate retreats to your employees is a great selling point to new hires, and can increase morale, staff culture as well as loyalty within your business.