Melbourne Incentives
Experience the vibrancy and cultural diversity of Melbourne, recognised as one of the world's most liveable cities.
An adventure awaits your group down every street, lane and alleyway with diverse cuisines, the arts, fashion precincts and history scattered throughout the city.
Enjoy a change of pace on the city's fringe with serene valleys chequered with award-winning wineries, spectacular coastlines and picturesque landscapes with unique Australian wildlife.
Let Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) show you the way to seamless incentive travel planning, going the extra mile to ensure your delegates have an Australian experience that is truly exciting and memorable. We look forward to welcoming your group to Melbourne. Here is just a taste of what's on offer in magical Melbourne.
Day 1
Morning
Decked in leathers, enjoy your city tour with a difference as you zoom around the streets of Melbourne on the back of Harley Davidson's. Take in the eclectic sights of Australia's multicultural metropolis - colourful markets, local villages, sidewalk cafés, lanes and arcades and some of the world's finest parks and gardens. Savour highlights including the F1 Grand Prix Circuit, St. Kilda Road and Port Phillip Bay side vistas.
Lunch in the splendour of Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens at Gardens House amidst the aromas and colours of Australian wildflowers.
Afternoon
After lunch, with your own private limo and guide it's your choice of golf at a private club, pampering spa treatments or lose yourself in Melbourne's shopping Mecca, a maze of arcades, lanes, malls, markets, boutique stores and factory outlets. If it is all too hard on your own, join Shopping Secrets Tour and discover some of our local designers. You'll never want to leave this city... empty-handed.
Visit the famous bohemian Chapel Street and the sophisticated Toorak Road. Joining the local café society you immerse yourself in the Melbourne way of life.
Evening
As your welcome dinner, how about dining with an Old Master? Not quite, but close. Considered Australia's most visionary art gallery, The National Gallery of Victoria is located on Melbourne's grand boulevard, St Kilda Road, just minutes from the CBD.
From the moment you pass by the cascading water wall to the stunning stained glass ceiling inside the Great Hall, you'll be amazed.
This venue is a perfect backdrop for a memorable gala dinner. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés in Federation Court with its glass dome ceiling. Music is provided by The String Quartet, a perfect start to the evening.
The evening will continue into the Great Hall where a contemporary band serenades you with background music. Sit down to a delicious dinner matched with premium wines, prepared by one of Melbourne's leading caterers. In keeping with the theme of fine arts, a performance by Opera by Disguise or The Three Waiters can be arranged.
Day 2
Morning
Depart Melbourne very early for a hot air ballooning flight over the Yarra Valley. Sip champagne as you float high about this picturesque region. Be enchanted by gently rolling hills, glistening with vines waiting to be picked and transformed into the latest vintages. After your memorable trip, enjoy a champagne breakfast before continuing your day in the Yarra.
Your wine discovery tour starts with a private wine tasting at TarraWarra Estate. Take the time to explore the TarraWarra Museum of Art.
Next, visit Domaine Chandon for a sparkling touch of France. This renowned winery is one of only 5 Chandon wineries outside of France and a highlight of the Yarra Valley. Here you can tour the winery and learn about the sparkling wine making process and afterwards sample a flute or two of the latest vintages, in the stunning glass-walled tasting room.
Lunch
Lunch at Yering Station in the winery's award-winning wine bar restaurant. Take in the magnificent views of the Valley and savour the local produce in a three course dining experience. Each course will be accompanied by wines to match the food. The wine bar restaurant can be booked exclusively for your group.
After lunch, enjoy some time at your leisure to visit the local produce store. This is located at Yering Station, a fabulous spot to pick up local produce from the Yarra Valley Regional Food Group to tantalize your taste buds.
Afternoon
Return to Melbourne in the afternoon. Enjoy time at your leisure to relax, shop or have a spa treatment.
Evening
Located at the Paris end of Melbourne, Comme is perfectly at home in the heart of Melbourne's business, theatre and shopping districts. A stunning and sophisticated venue, Comme features two beautifully appointed rooms which are perfect for enjoying an award-winning Australian wine, accompanied by innovative menus which draw inspiration from the border of France and Spain. With an elegant bar completing the full, Melbourne-in-style experience, Comme is the perfect venue for fine dining in one of Melbourne's most magnificent settings.
To enhance the event, car transfers can be made in real style - in a Maserati, Lamborghini or Porsche.
Day 3
Morning
Board your DC3 plane or helicopter and experience miles of sheer drama from the air along the Great Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Road is ranked among the 20 must-do journeys of a lifetime.
It is a spectacular landscape with close to 300 kilometres of cliff-hugging road that takes you right across Victoria's south west coast line. In one of the most exhilarating and thrilling rides of your life, marvel at this sensational scenery, thundering surf and breathtaking views, in true comfort. You not only see the Twelve Apostles, you actually fly around them.
After your flight, you will explore more of the region by coach. Join your vehicle and your guide, and travel on to see the famous London Bridge. This gives you the opportunity to photograph the dramatic coastline and scenic ocean lookouts.
Lunch will be at Port Campbell, followed by a 4WD drive further down the Shipwreck Coast- a coast with a past, as many ships have floundered along this wild, rugged coastline.
Visit the shipwreck site of "Loch Ard" where two survivors struggled ashore amidst the wreckage. Stand in awe at some of the most bizarre rock formations carved from the sea. Travel back to the city by helicopter and fly over the many historic towns in the region before landing in Melbourne.
Afternoon
Return to your hotel early afternoon, where there is time at leisure to discover more of Melbourne at your own pace. Or maybe visit the Crown Spa for an afternoon of pampering and relaxation.
Alternatively, go shopping around town, or take an Aboriginal Guided Heritage Walk at The Royal Botanic Gardens.
Evening
Tonight, journey to Emu Bottom Homestead for a unique Australian experience. Pioneer George Evans settled here in 1836 and it remains Victoria's oldest historic homestead.
Nestled amid lush countryside and surrounded by fertile valley pastures, Emu Bottom captures the magical spirit of Australia's pioneer past. Hard to believe that this secluded spot is just a 40 minute drive from cosmopolitan Melbourne.
With the proven culinary skills and flair of the Emu Bottom team, your event will be truly memorable. You'll enjoy superior food and service in a heritage country setting, the perfect Melbourne package.
In addition to outstanding food, be welcomed to Emu Bottom with an Indigenous "Welcome to Country" Ceremony. Marvel at the sounds of the didgeridoo and dance to lively bush bands playing traditional and "Aussie" music. The bushrangers, jolly swagmen, whip crackers and bush poets will create a real Aussie ambience.
Take the opportunity to hold a baby wallaby, pat a koala and see a sheep shearing demonstration. Before departing Emu Bottom homestead, sample some real Aussie classics - campfire cooked damper and bush tea.
Day 4
Morning
Depart Melbourne for the Mornington Peninsula. Just one hour from the city, the Mornington Peninsula is home to dozens of beautiful beaches, world-class golf courses, 52 different wineries and superb local produce. Stop at one of the beautiful maze and gardens in the region and wander through acres of themed gardens and water features. Explore the beautiful rose maze blooming with more than 1,200 rose bushes. Next, visit Sunny Ridge Farm, the largest strawberry producer in Australia, producing a mouth-watering three million punnets a year. Have fun picking your own fruit during the season. Enjoy morning tea and try the very tempting desserts.
Lunch
Enjoy lunch at a local winery in the Mornington Peninsula and listen to the wine maker explain the wine making process from vine to wine.
Afternoon
Before departing the region by boat, climb to the top of Arthur's Seat for impressive views of Port Phillip Bay and Mornington Peninsula. Visit some of the quaint villages and stop for afternoon tea in a local café. Take the time to explore some antique shops, local galleries and village shops.
Evening
Your afternoon will continue towards Phillip Island (by ferry from Mornington Peninsula) to witness the Penguin Parade at dusk, the Koala Conservation Centre and the Nobbies Centre, a new eco-tourism Centre. The natural phenomenon of the Penguin Parade takes place from the waves and across the beach to the sand dunes, where the little penguins waddle to their burrows. It is a nightly ritual of these flightless birds which will enthrall you as you observe from the beach and the elevated boardwalk. Phillip Island is a wildlife wonderland; you will also see the seals, basking in the late sunlight on rocks from the Nobbies Centre and the koala's in their natural habitate at the Koala Conservation Centre. Enjoy a seafood dinner on the Island before returning to Melbourne.
Day 5
Morning
Prior to your departure from Melbourne take the time to explore the hidden laneways of the Melbourne CBD, or enjoy some half-day tours:
- Discover Federation Square
- Chocoholics tour
- Hidden laneways and arcades tour
- Foodies tour at the Queen Victoria Market
- Guided tour around Melbourne's galleries
Enjoy the endless possibilities of incentive activities
Snorkel with the sea horses
Snorkelling enables you to get up close with the sea horses in their natural habitat. These beautiful creatures live in and around the many piers on the Peninsula. Snorkel tuition is provided and all trips are fully guided. The snorkel sites are considered very safe and are only a short distance from shore.
Dolphin Swim
Whether you choose to swim with the seals and dolphins or observe from the comfort of the boat, you will never forget the amazing experience. Board your own private luxury charter and discover Port Phillip Bays' wild dolphins and seals in style. The trip includes an introductory, on-board snorkel demonstration.
Flex your Mussels with a Fine Drop
Take a boat cruise out to the mussel beds and enjoy a delicious lunch and cooking demonstration featuring mussels from the Bellarine Peninsula matched with outstanding Victorian wines.
Spring Carnival Fever
Spend an afternoon with a Melbourne milliner to design your own hat, then attend your exclusive company "stakes" evening - make your bets with the roving bookies, experiencing what this famous horse racing carnival is all about.
Wave Riders
Learn to carve your way through the surf at some of Australia's premier surfing beaches.
Football Mania
Experience the thrill of running through your company banner to commence your day of fun at your own "Aussie Rules" football match.
Carlton Brewery Tour
Take a guided tour of the Abbotsford Brewery. Situated on the banks of the Yarra River, it is Australia's largest brewery. Beer was first produced at Abbotsford in 1904 and today it is one of the world's most modern breweries.
Chocoholics
Explore Melbourne through a chocoholic haze. Indulge chocolate fantasies with tastings from some of Melbourne's finest chocolate specialists, and at the same time discover some beautiful hidden ornate arcades and fascinating, historic laneways.
Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) provides comprehensive support services for your incentive event or corporate meeting:
- Accommodation & venue recommendations
- Coordination of site inspections
- Social programs, team building activities & special event recommendations
- Sample incentive itineraries & proposal preparation
- Sourcing of suppliers and contractors
- Promotional support such as visitor information, maps, shopping & dining guides
- Welcome airport banners
- Traditional Aboriginal Welcome Ceremony
- Information about customs & immigration procedures
- Creative marketing material: teasers, postcards and promotional CD's
- Referral to Inbound Tour Operators, Destination Management Companies and Professional Conference Organisers
- VIP welcome letters & letters of support from the Lord Mayor & key Government leaders
- Promotional merchandise & pillow gift ideas.
For your free copy of the Melbourne Incentives Brochure or for further information please contact our Incentive team on:
- T
- +613 9693 3326
- F
- +613 9693 3344
- E
- incentive@mcvb.com.au
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Or download a copy of the Melbourne Incentives Brochure: