Business Events Guide - Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

BUSINESS EVENTS

RYDGES RESORT HUNTER VALLEY

At Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, we’re all business, mostly. We believe in making every trip rewarding by unlocking productivity with memorable downtime. We understand that the conference space is not your destination; it’s your starting point. Escape the hustle without the hassle and take care of business in the heart of wine country.

This guide has been designed to inspire, energise and connect your conference, and to ensure your delegates can enjoy that all-important downtime in an iconic destination. Our dedicated Rydges Meetings Director and the team of expert planners are ready to custom design your event to ensure your delegates leave feeling energised and inspired.

Our perfect distance from Sydney, world-class wineries and gourmet produce can stimulate better thinking, eliminate distraction and immerse people with inspiring experiences to contribute and gain more with their attendance.

If there is anything you require, we are here to help and look forward to creating your next memorable event in the Hunter Valley.

100 acres

4,600 square metres of event space

Restaurant & bar options

418 rooms & villas

20 event spaces

17 room day spa

1,160 delegates

14 meeting rooms

71-par golf course

INDUSTRY-LEADING ESTABLISHMENT

Our resort is proud to stand out as a leader in the industry, having achieved significant recognition in recent years from both local and state bodies.

We have been honoured with:

Accommodation Australia NSW Awards for Excellence

Regional Superior Hotel of the Year - 2024

Best Innovation Project - 2024, 2025

Workplace Health and Wellbeing Property of the Year - 2024, 2026

Hunter Valley Legends Awards

Accommodation Provider of the Year - 2025 & 2026

These accolades reflect our dedicated commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality, driving innovative projects, and fostering a supportive environment for both our staff and guests.

This recognition affirms our ongoing efforts to set the highest standards in the industry and continually enhance the experiences we offer.

DESTINATION HUNTER VALLEY

See beyond the city lights and more than just vineyards... Explore the endless possibilities of the Hunter Valley.

The Hunter Valley is ideally positioned two hours drive from Sydney and 50 minutes from Newcastle Airport along the M1 Pacific Motorway. Use either the Hunter Expressway exit or the Cessnock road sign exit.

By Air

Major domestic airlines and regional carriers operate flights in and out of Newcastle daily. Cessnock Airport is located right across from the resort and offers charter and private flights.

Transfers

There are different ways to move around in the Hunter Valley. While car hire offers flexibility to get around the Hunter Valley, if you don’t like to drive, you can find various shuttle services that take you between vineyards. Speak to our team if you require assistance booking transfers.

Features of our Region

13,000 square metres of conference space

6 million+ business and leisure visitor annually

4 million wine bottles produced each year

6,000+ accommodation rooms available

210+ restaurants, bars, and cafés

Dozens of unique experiences available

COMMITTED TO A GREENER FUTURE

Sustainable Initiatives

“At Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, we acknowledge our responsibility to respect the environment and reduce our carbon footprint for the benefit of the community in which we operate We are committed to managing our impact while exploring new and innovative ways to minimise wastage and protect our environment ”

EVT's Elevate Program

As an EVT Hotel & Resort, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is committed to doing business in a way that contributes to a better tomorrow for our customers, our communities and our environment.

We pledge to make change happen by implementing sustainable practices across our group Such as, Sustainable Design, Sustainable Practices & Procurement, and Transparency & Reporting. To learn more, click here

Energy, Recycling and Solar Initiatives

Installation and continued use of a full 100KW photovoltaic (solar panel) system

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Cbus lighting controllers in all meeting rooms

Installation of two new PowerPaxAir –conditioning chillers with savings of 28% energy

100kw of (PV) solar installed for the brewery bottling plant

77.89% or 542.57 tonnes of all of the Resort’s waste is now being recycled.

Water hoses in the kitchen and dock were replaced with a new eco-friendly water spray system

AAA 5-star, 5 litres/minute tap basin mixers and restrictors, and new AAA 3.5 star 7.0 litre rated shower heads

Cbus lighting controllers in all meeting rooms

Installation of two new PowerPaxAir –conditioning chillers with savings of 28% energy

Reduction in wastage on pens, notepads and refreshments during conferences based on clients needs

CONFERENCE AND EVENTS CENTRE

Go beyond the boardroom

Unlock a world of inspiring, innovating and motivating opportunities within this contemporary and adaptable space with state-of-the-art technology.

The Hunter Valley Conference and Events Centre possess three conference rooms (Cabernet, Merlot, Sauvignon) that can combine up to 1,123m2 for up to 1,160 people, flexible acoustic folding walls, and eleven additional meeting and event rooms; the largest and most comprehensive conference and exhibition facility in regional New South Wales

With 380m2 of space, the Merlot room allows for a spacious meeting room with an entire wall of windows to create an engaging conference experience.

With 380m2 of space and floor-to-ceiling windows, the Cabernet room offers delegates substantial conference space. Adjacent to the Exhibition Suite, the Cabernet room allows for easy extension to your conference

With 358m2 of conferencing space and floor-to-ceiling windows, the Sauvignon room offers delegates substantial yet functional conferencing space. Adjacent to the Exhibition Suite, the Sauvignon room delivers multiple uses from conference plenary with ease of access to the Exhibition Suite or an additional breakout space close to the main plenary

Spread across 559m2 of space, the Exhibition suite is our purpose-built venue for significant events such as art galleries and installations, consumer and trade exhibitions, media and product launches, workshops, seminars and conferences.

MEETING ROOMS

Semillon Ballroom

A pillarless space with abundant natural light, our Semillon ballroom can be divided into three smaller function rooms – Semillon 1, 2 and 3. The Semillon Ballroom has three breakout spaces adjacent to an adjoining pre-function space.

Chardonnay

Boasting plenty of sunlight and stunning golf course views, the Chardonnay room is an intimate and stylish venue, ideally located opposite the lavish Semillon ballroom, just 48m2 in size, ideal for smaller Hunter Valley meetings, breakaway activities and social functions.

Shiraz

Boasting plenty of sunlight and stunning golf course views, the Shiraz room is an intimate and stylish venue, ideally located opposite the lavish Semillon ballroom, just 34m2 in size, ideal for smaller Hunter Valley meetings and breakaway activities

Verdelho

Situated across from the spectacular Semillon Ballroom, the Verdelho room is a contemporary venue for medium-sized meetings in the Hunter Valley Boasting 85m2 of space, this intimate yet stylish space is ideal for boardroom meetings, sit-down dinners, cocktail events and more

The Vintage

Versatile space for a main plenary or three small breakouts with natural light and views over The Haven pool.

Cellar 1

Cellar 1 is ideal for small-scale events and breakaway activities

RESORT EXCLUSIVITY

The ultimate Rydges Resort Hunter Valley experience for group meetings and incentives, Resort Exclusivity lets you transform the entire resort into “Your Rydges.” Your group enjoys complete privacy, total access to amenities and services, and greater freedom in branding opportunities. Each guest feels like a true VIP, rewarded with the highest level of appreciation, pride and prestige. This rare, highly coveted Rydges Resort Hunter Valley experience helps organisations achieve a significant return on investment.

Resort Exclusivity includes all guest rooms, event spaces, pools and all areas of the resort. However, the property may allow access to outside guests to restaurants, the spa and golf course or private residences.

EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF EVENT SPACES

UNIQUE SPACES

FLOOR PLAN

GROUND FLOOR

UNIQUE EVENT SPACES

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley has a range of unique outdoor event spaces which can be tailored to your needs.

Pergola

Located next to the resort pool, experience a vibrant social event, lunch or dinner underneath the open-air pergola.

The Gallery

Adjacent to Gather Restaurant, The Gallery offers a private dining room experience with a wall of windows overlooking our golf course and Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley.

Gather North

Overlooking our resort pool and golf course, Gather North offers spectacular sunset views of the Hunter Valley.

Gather West

Offering the outlook of our stunning resort grounds and a backdrop of the resort pool, Gather West is the perfect location for relaxation and revitalisation after a day of conferencing.

Exhibition Terrace

Located next to our Exhibition Centre. The Exhibition Terrace overlooks the lawn, and tennis courts offer beautiful sunset views of the Hunter Valley.

UNIQUE EVENT SPACES

Merlot Terrace

Located next to our Merlot room. The deck overlooks the lawn, and our resort pool offers beautiful sunset views of the Hunter Valley.

Hunter Valley Golf 1st Tee & Wine Country Gazebo

A waterfront gazebo, plush grass, gourmet food and sunset views by the lake await an evening under the stars.

Tennis Court Cocktails

While on the court, help yourself to a drink from the team at the net bar and mingle amongst a buzzing cocktail event within the resort’s tennis courts.

Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley

Special event experiences can be arranged with Sydney Brewery Hunter Valley with their hand-crafted produce to be used for your event.

The Haven

An exclusive space allowing fresh perspectives in an invigorating venue. The Haven pool and lawn turns any event into an oasis in the heart of the Hunter Valley.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

locally sourced. casually served. socially shared.

this isn’t just dinner. It’s your own private slice of gather no interruptions, just good food, good wine, and your group of people.

whether it’s sunlight or sunset, long lunches or late dinners our private spaces are built for gathering well.

Ready to go, morning and night.

Enjoy a morning coffee, sip on a bloody mary, or indulge in a bacon and egg roll. Take a moment to relax with your coffee in the lobby, or grab a takeaway breakfast if you’re on the go.

As the sun sets, Vista Lounge transforms into a lively spot for the evening. Savour a glass of Hunter Valley wine or refresh with a cold Sydney Brewery beer.

A relaxed atmosphere — inside and out.

Host your next gathering at Lovedale Brewbar with exclusive access to our relaxed venue, featuring causal dining, craft brews, and resort views.

Whether it’s a celebration, corporate event, or casual get-together, our team will tailor the experience to make it truly special.

SIGNATURE EVENTS

A festival, a gathering, and a place for the Hunter region to congregate and celebrate you and your business.

A globally exclusive concept, Harvest Hunter brings interactive live cooking stations, locally recognised chefs sharing their favourite recipes, and the region’s most outstanding wineries and producers.

Choose Harvest Hunter and have the best of the Hunter Valley at your fingertips. A single tipi forms part of the event setup, styled with internal fairy lights, woven mat flooring, shepherd’s hooks, and festoon lighting.

Take your delegates through a theatrical and interactive street market by selecting four below stalls put together by our inhouse culinary team, including theming.

Stall Options Include:

Bao shack | The nasi | Wok this way | Soup kitchen

Ming’s dynasty | Dojo | Desserts

Spice up your evenings by celebrating the bold, delicious and vibrant flavors of Mexico!

Transform your event into an energetic, social setting filled with colour, flavour and movement. Designed for connection, it encourages guests to mingle and indulge in a curated selection of street-style offerings, creating a memorable and engaging atmosphere.

*Minimum numbers apply

RESORT EXPERIENCES

Hunter Valley Golf Club

Enjoy a spectacular 18-hole, par-71 course set amongst the Hunter Valley’s worldfamous vineyards. With experiences available for small, medium and large groups of up to 120 people. The Pro Shop is equipped with everything you need for your group’s hire or purchase.

Ubika Day Spa

Ubika is derived from the Ancient Indian Sanskrit meaning ‘to grow’. The Ubika Day Spa menu features a diverse selection of therapies for both men and women that help regenerate and restore –whether it’s an energising body scrub, muscle-melting hypnotic back massage or results-oriented facial. The instant you step into our Spa, time will slow down.

Resort Pool & Haven Pool

If you want to simply relax and unwind, the resort’s two fully serviced outdoor pools are the perfect place to do so with sun beds, furniture and umbrellas.

Tennis And Basketball

The resort boasts two artificial grass tennis courts, pickleball courts, and one basketball court, which we can reserve for your group.

Gymnasium

Balance out all the gourmet food, cheese platters and fine wine with complimentary access to our onsite gym. The centre is fully equipped with cardio equipment, rowing machines, weights, change rooms, showers and lockers.

RESORT EXPERIENCES

Walking Trail

Experience the nature of the Hunter Valley. Stroll along our creek trail, walk throughout the scenic vineyards, or set out for a lengthy hike through our sprawling estate.

Water Park

Located next to our resort pool, the young and young at heart can enjoy our water park, the only of its kind in the Hunter Valley.

Volleyball, Bocce And Giant Chess

Located on the activities lawn, your group can enjoy a range of active and passive activities with all the gear needed for a fun time.

Water Dragons Kids Club

Water Dragons Kids Club is a fully supervised and dedicated mini resort for our younger guests. Our purpose-built facility is staffed by childcare professionals with years of experience in keeping little faces smiling with many group activities to keep your children happy when you need to network.

Amber’s Of Lovedale

The boutique store, located at the resort entrance, is your one-stop-shop for Hunter Valley giftware, refreshments, everyday essentials and resort accessories.

Games Room

Our games room is located next to the resort pool, an ideal place for big and little kids. Equipped with classic and the latest arcade games, our games room is guaranteed to provide hours of fun.

AUDIO VISUAL & TECH

Scene Change

Scene Change is one of Australia’s leading audiovisual companies, winning multiple product and services awards in the Meetings & Events Australia National Award’s.

Their achievements place Scene Change in the Meetings Industry Hall of Fame.

Their Hunter Valley branch operates in-house at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley and has built a technological showpiece from the ground up.

Every piece of equipment in the hotel and Conference and Event Centre is stateof-the-art, delivering quality service beyond that of any other AV company in Australia.

They offer Rydges Resort Hunter Valley’s clients a relentless focus on show quality and crew skilled in making presenters feel comfortable in the stage environment.

Contact Details:

Scene Change Hunter Valley

e: hunter@scenechange.com.au

t: +61 2 4991 0916 scenechange.com.au

TEAM BUILDING

Pinnacle Team Events

Pinnacle Team Events creates unforgettable team building experiences that help empower, motivate and inspire teams!

With more than 20 years in corporate events and over 100 activities to choose from, Pinnacle Team Events offer something for every team conferencing at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley. Their range of events includes:

Outdoor Events such as Amazing Race, Survivor & Laser Clay Shooting.

Indoor Events such as Domeworks, Before Mars, Escape the Box. Team Development Workshops such as DISC, Lego Serious Play, Six Thinking Hats. Night Activities such as Flashback Bingo, Trivia Night, Casino Night.

Charity/CSR Experiences such as Tikes on Bikes, SolarBuddy, The Good Box. Hunter Valley Events such as Grape to Glass, Wine Olympics & Hunter Valley Explorer.

Their expert facilitators ensure your conference objectives are met through interactive, hands-on challenges - tailored to your budget, time frame, and team size. Create an unforgettable experience and talk to one of their team building experts today.

Contact Details:

Pinnacle Team Events

e: info@pinnacleteamevents.com.au t: 1300 625 034 pinnacleteamevents.com.au

ACCOMMODATION

Standard Rooms, Pool Access Rooms And Suite With Jet Bath

The modern standard rooms provide an ideal base to work and rest for multi-day events. Each room features a private balcony or courtyard with picturesque views of the sparkling onsite pool, undulating hills or manicured golf course and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Villas

A flexible, self-contained accommodation option, the design is perfect for groups or individual delegates, with connection available via an interconnecting door. Available in various layouts from villa guest rooms to one, two or three-bedroom villas, all with complimentary Wi-Fi.

ACCOMMODATION

SAMPLE FLOORPLANS

ACCOMMODATION

SAMPLE FLOORPLANS