What’s New in Melbourne and Victoria 2019?

Recently named ’Australasia’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination in 2018, Melbourne continues to be a top choice destination for business events.

As a premier destination for delegates and event planners, Melbourne is ever-changing its offering providing an array of new reasons to host business events.

Melbourne continues to succeed in attracting international air services. Recent achievements for new and increased international airline services include:

• On 1 April 2018, Garuda Indonesia commenced a direct service between Jakarta and Melbourne, operating
four times a week.
• On 3 May 2018, Singapore Airlines commenced a direct service from Wellington to Melbourne, operating
four times a week with 266-seat Boeing 777-200.
• On 1 June 2018, Philippine Airlines commenced a direct service from Manila to Melbourne, operating seven
times a week with Airbus A330-300 aircraft filling over 300 seats.
• On 5 June 2018, Scoot commenced a direct service from Singapore to Melbourne with Boeing 787-9
Dreamliner operating six times a week.
• On 8 June 2018, Malindo Air commenced a service from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne via Denpasar, Bali with
Boeing 737 fleet operating seven days a week.
• On 14 August 2018, Cebu Pacific commenced a thrice-weekly direct service from Manila to Melbourne with
Airbus A330 type aircraft.
• On 1 September 2018, Qantas commenced a direct service from San Francisco to Melbourne operating four
times a week with the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
• On 5 December 2018, AirAsia X commenced a direct service from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne.
• On 16 December 2018, Hainan Airlines will commence a new direct service from Haikou to Melbourne
operating twice weekly with Airbus A330.
• On 2 January 2019, LATAM Airlines is expanding the Santiago de Chile – Melbourne service operated by
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from three to five times a week.
• On June 2019, Air Canada Vancouver-Melbourne service will convert to year-round operating four times a
week with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Avalon Airport – International Terminal
A new international terminal in the Geelong and The Bellarine region at Avalon Airport has recently opened in
December. With around 9,000sqm, the infrastructure includes custom and quarantine facilities with passengers
being able to fly direct from Avalon Airport to Kuala Lumpur and over 130 destinations.

The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins St
This grand hotel at the corner of Spencer and Little Collins Street has returned to its heyday as one of the city’s most glamorous attractions, following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. The 4-star Savoy Hotel on Little Collins, Melbourne was unveiled in October 2018, under the TFE Hotels Collection brand – a portfolio of beautiful discovery hotels with a sense of story, place and purpose. The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins has 163 guest rooms which adds to Melbourne’s accommodation capacity in the city centre. The hotel also features six spacious and flexible meeting rooms with sizes varying from small to a large ballroom catering for diverse business event’s needs.

Novotel and Ibis Melbourne Central
Recently opened in November 2018, this 4.5-star dual-branded hotel has two hotels occupying one building in the heart of Melbourne’s city centre. Featuring 482 guestrooms, the 35th floor tower is AccorHotels fist vertical multi-hotel development where two brands share facilities. Delegates can get immersed in the famous laneway dining and shopping culture only steps away or take advantage of the free tram network connecting all corners of the city. The hotel offers three naturally lit event spaces to accommodate up to 80 delegates in different configurations.

Crowne Plaza Melbourne
After a 12-month refurbishment program, this 4-star hotel located in the heart of the city, has recently unveiled a striking $25 million transformation of its guestrooms and facilities. All 402 rooms have been completely refurbished with contemporary bathrooms, stand alone showers, premium bedding, designer furniture and stunning artwork. Connectivity throughout the hotel has also been upgraded. The hotel’s City View rooms now boast spacious walk-in wardrobes with sleek workstations, while the hotel’s Luxury suites feature deep bathtubs, walk-in showers, plush bedding, new furniture and sweeping views of the Yarra River and Melbourne city skyline. Crowne Plaza Melbourne also offers meeting facilities with the option of five versatile meeting rooms accommodating up to 140 delegates.

Aloft Melbourne
Part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, the 4-star Aloft brand will make its debut on January 1, 2019. Located on the iconic Chapel Street, the hotel will have 176 rooms all featuring the stylish and high-tech finish for which the brand is known for. Delegates will have access to atmospheric public spaces all within the hotel where they would be able to re-energise. A fitness centre, a one-stop 24-hour grab-and-go food and beverage area, a swimming pool and 300sqm of meeting space will all be part of this new sophisticated hotel.

The Sebel Melbourne Malvern
A new apartment style build from AccorHotels is set to open its doors during 2019 in Malvern, Victoria, an inner-city suburb full of charm located 8km south-east of Melbourne’s city centre. The Sebel Malvern will add 98 serviced apartments all with full kitchen and laundry facilities across 17 floors. The 5-star hotel will also feature a fitness centre, an executive lounge and an outdoor recreation centre. Malvern offers plenty of leafy streets, regal buildings and spacious parks such as Central Park and Malvern Urban Forest. There is easy access to the CBD, with a train station and three tram routes.

Quest NewQuay Docklands
Quest NewQuay will provide a striking new accommodation experience for delegates staying in the iconic Docklands precinct. This 3.5-star hotel is strategically positioned to offer easy and convenient access to the city centre and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and sits within walking distance to Southern CrossRailway Station, Marvel Stadium and The District Docklands shopping town. Featuring 221 rooms it will become
the largest Quest development in Australia and is set to open in February 2019.

Peppers Southbank
Mantra group will deliver another hotel in Melbourne’s vibrant arts and entertainment precinct, Southbank, making it its eleventh property in Melbourne’s CBD. Featuring 162 full service rooms across 32 levels, a new $60 million hotel will be completed in early 2019. The 5-star property will also offer a range of amenities including a restaurant and bar, meeting rooms and a gymnasium.

Hotel Indigo
As part of the IHG hotel brand, Melbourne, Docklands will be home to Australia’s second Hotel Indigo which will open its doors in 2019. Launched in 2004, Hotel Indigo is the world’s first globally branded boutique hotel, as no two properties are alike. Each one reflects the culture, history and heritage of the city and this will be no different with the Melbourne property. This 5-star hotel is expected to become a leading lifestyle accommodation choice with 170 rooms, large resort style pool and gym, two-level restaurant and several meeting spaces. The property will feature unique design combined with a relaxed and chic atmosphere.

Accor Hotels – Chadstone Hotel
Under the bespoke Mgallery Sofitel brand, the brand-new 5-star Chadstone Hotel will make its debut at the end of 2019. With 250 luxury rooms, spa and wellbeing facilities, meeting spaces and a ballroom, it will add to Melbourne’s accommodation options for delegates. Located only steps away from Chadstone – The Fashion
Capital, delegates will have access to the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere.

Shama Luxe Aurora Melbourne Central
Expected to open in 2019, the 4-star property will feature 252 rooms in a 92-storey new building. It will be the only serviced apartment in Melbourne with direct connection to over 200,000sqm of retail in the Melbourne Central Shopping Centre and a central city train station. A dedicated pool, guest lounge and meeting rooms will also be part of the new hotel.

Adina Apartment Hotel Southbank
Opening in 2019, the sleek curved glass façade will form a landmark for Melbourne’s Southbank precinct. Ten new floors will be added to an existing 6-storey building, forming a 220-apartment hotel. The 4-star hotel boasts an excellent location, defined as a new gateway for Melbourne, sitting between the city centre, vibrant St Kilda Road and parklands surrounding the Royal Botanic Gardens.

TFE Hotels – Vibe Hotel Melbourne
A stunning new 24-storey glass fronted hotel will offer breathtaking views of the Yarra River and Southbank all
the way to Port Phillip Bay. Opening in 2019 on the corner of Queen and Flinders streets, this 206-room 4-star hotel will feature an indoor heated swimming pool, a gymnasium, restaurant and 200sqm of conference facilities.

Element Melbourne Richmond
Opening in May 2019 and situated off lively Swan Street in Richmond, Melbourne, the Marriott branded 4.5-star hotel will feature 168 rooms and two conference spaces, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness centre, swimming pool and spaces for working, networking and relaxing.

Flemington
Flemington Event Centre is adding to its offering:

• The Club Stand – Recently launched, the highly anticipated $128 million Club Stand provides unique experiences. With 13 food and beverage spaces over five levels, outdoor seating decks and rooftop garden it offers the perfect opportunity for delegates and incentive groups to experience a day at Melbourne’s famous horse racing carnival.

• Flemington offers a wide range of venues within the precinct that caters for groups from 80 to 2,500 guests. Bespoke hospitality programs are available on race and non-race days to experience one of Melbourne’s most loved and popular major events in the calendar.

• A new partnership with Ctrip, the largest online Chinese provider of travel services, and an International Visitor Centre over Melbourne Cup Carnival offering language translation services, has made Flemington ready for Chinese delegates planning an event during this period.

Melbourne & Olympic Parks Redevelopment
Melbourne & Olympic Parks is currently undergoing a multi-million-dollar transformation with the intent to cater for the growing popularity of the Australian Open and year-round events. The design will secure the future of the Australian Open event in Melbourne and cater for the growing event calendar, ensuring that Melbourne & Olympic Parks continues to be a world class sporting and entertainment precinct for generations to come. Redevelopment works will place a strong emphasis on the comfort of patrons, with more open space and shade, increased seating capacity, better connections to public transport and the city, and easier movement into and within the Melbourne and Olympic Parks precinct. Broken down into 3 stages over 13 years, the works are improving significant elements of the Melbourne and
Olympic Parks sports and entertainment precinct to make it one of the world’s best facilities. A significant component of the final stage is a new state of the art conference centre that will join the
impressive list of arenas, stadium and venues in the cultural hub of the country. With capacity to host up to 3,000 guests, the new conference centre promises to elevate Melbourne Park’s capabilities yet again. Opening in February 2022, bookings are available from early 2019.

Crown Aviary
The new rooftop space is located on level three rooftop at Crown Towersin Southbank. The space is fully heated and air-conditioned. Suitable for 550 delegates in a cocktail setting or up to 400 seated, the Crown Aviary offers the perfect setting with the city as backdrop.

Urban Alley Brewery
Recently opened, this 700-capacity microbrewery is located in Docklands. Brewing their own beer which is constructed from recycled materials this venue focuses on minimising environmental impact. The venue will offer flexible spaces for hosting group functions with a wide range of food and beverage packages.

Check out all the novelties here Factsheet - New in Melbourne and Victoria 2019