Corporate Retreats and Business Functions
Accommodation, dining, and training spaces for up to 30 people.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect place for a day of training, a multi-day mental health retreat, or a strategy retreat, we have the perfect space and plenty of great contacts to help you host a classy corporate event.
One of the best parts of holding corporate events at Thistle Hill Guesthouse is the vast space available for all manner of activities – from team building, to games, learning and entertainment.
Our large property is equipped with dining room, multiple accommodation spaces, swimming pools and the flexibility to self cater, have your event catered, or a combination that you select.
Thistle Hill Pavilion
Our pavilion with its beautiful views is a great space to hold workshops and training sessions. It can also transform into a beautiful venue for a cocktail party, spilling out the bifold doors onto the verandas and poolside deck area.
The conference pavilion features 150m2 of wraparound decking and overlooks our dam and pool. The pavilion can be set up in multiple formats to suit your requirements for up to 30 delegates and can include tables, chairs, tv, flip charts, notepad & pen, water and mints.
Packages | Inclusions | Cost |
|---|---|---|
With accommodation | Free with whole of property booking | Free. Additional costs may apply for specific services |
Naked Hire | Day hire of the pavilion without accommodation | $1,000 per day |
Workshop eats package | Morning tea, lunch, & afternoon tea | $45 per person |
All day dining package | Includes breakfast buffet, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, cheese platter & drinks by the fire. | $65 per person (Head out for dinner) |
Fire Pit
Our sandstone fire pit area is a favourite breakout space and the perfect place to build team relationships, share a cheese platter and a story or two. We provide blankets in the cooler weather and all firewood, kindling and matches.
Keen to plan a retreat but not sure where to start?
We can help you facilitate a business retreat to encourage health creativity and collaboration.
Here are some tips to planning a fantastic business retreat to help your team feel refreshed, revitalised, and playing on the same team.
How do you pick the best location for a corporate or leadership retreat?
A location with plenty of space to unwind, try new activities, and enjoy face to face time with others in your organisation is important.
Proximity to other activities is a bonus, with the ability to walk to restaurants, wineries and breweries.
Nature. Time in nature is great for de-stressing and developing creativity. We suggest utilising the beautiful grounds of Thistle Hill to the maximum.
Why are activities important at a corporate or leadership retreat?
Joint activities and entertainment give people opportunities to create positive shared experiences, which often result in a better understanding and appreciation of the members of your team.
What are the benefits of corporate or leadership retreats?
Effective retreats can provide mental health gains, improve creativity and innovation, nurture a team spirit, along with empowering and upskilling employees. The bottom line is increased productivity. Happy employees are shown to be more productive and more likely to stay a part of your organisation for the long haul.
What organisations can benefit from leadership retreats?
Leadership retreats can be a great way for teams that work in high stress environments to de-stress, recharge and feel supported. Some of the organisations that can benefit most are Emergency Service and Frontline Workers, Businesses, NFPs, Community Services Providers, Educational Institutions (Universities, TAFE, High Schools), High level sporting teams.
What does a well rounded program for a corporate retreat look like?
We suggest a good mix of activities with a small amount of time set aside for rest and reflection. Consider involving elements from the following:
Movement
You could consider group or personal training sessions including bootcamps, sports, yoga, pilates, or dance.
Relaxation
If your group works in high stress situations, consider bringing some relaxation to your event. Massage, meditation, and breathing techniques and pet therapy are popular choices.
Empowerment
Journaling, time management, wellness coaching and intention setting workshops can help to empower your employees and equip them with skills to take back to the office.
Skill Specific Training
Running skill specific workshops between other activities is a great way for people to absorb new skills and information. We can provide the space and the technology to support your experts training your crew.
Collaboration
Encouraging your employees to work together on projects or fun tasks like and escape room experience, puzzles, team games and even team building activities can be a great option. Cooking workshops and mindful art/craft experiences like flower arranging, wreath decorating, resin art or pottery are also a great idea and readily available at Thistle Hill or in the local area.
Fun
Go out for dinner, ride a horse, go grape stomping, segway rides, helicopter flights, hot air ballooning, adventure experiences, wine tasting, gin tasting, BBQ cooking school, sip and paint classes, golf, cheesemaking workshops, or why not let your hair down and host a theme night, murder mystery, cocktail party, or karaoke night in the pavilion.
Corporate Vigneron Experience
Our Corporate Vigneron experiences are exclusively available for Thistle Hill's guests.
Experience a day in the life of a vigneron, and of course enjoy the fruits of your labour with a tasting of two between the vines. (Well, not specifically your labour but another vigneron's labour) You'll learn lots of interesting facts about growing grapes and the fermentation process.
Activities will vary depending on the season, but could include picking grapes, grape stomping, tying and trimming the vines. Our grape experiences are always fun and full of laughs; they're a great way to get the team out and about enjoying a unique Hunter Valley experience together.