Has Darwin ever crossed your mind when putting together a convention? Perhaps you never even thought of it for a holiday? Well, it’s time you changed your mind!

Darwin is a fresh, vibrant, cosmopolitan city ready and waiting for business events to take hold. The culture, nature, and urban landscape make it ideal for business travellers, and its Convention Centre is world class.

Opened in July 2008, the Darwin Convention Centre is an award winning venue, perfectly situated on the tropical harbour of the city.

The building was developed as the centerpiece of the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, to attract business and community events to Darwin and generate economic return for the Northern Territory.

Managed by leading venue specialists, AEG Ogden, the Darwin Convention Centre successfully hosts hundreds of events per year, which contributes over $40 million of economic return to the Northern Territory annually, spanning everything from national and international conferences, to large exhibitions, gala dinners, seminars, sporting events, and more.

Here’s 5 reasons your next business event should seriously be considering Darwin Convention Centre.

1. Location

Seriously, would you look at this photograph? The stunning outlook of Darwin Convention Centre is nature at its finest, and quite impressive for anyone travelling to Darwin for the first time.

Darwin Convention Centre adds a level of anticipation and excitement to a business event, and gives people a unique taste of Australia’s Top End culture and experiences that they can’t get in other destinations.

And with its close proximity to Asia, a year-round tropical climate, A+ business environment and cultural diversity, its just screams location, location, location!

2. Easy access

Darwin might seem like another world, but it’s just as accessible as any other Australian city, with 11 airlines that fly into the city, both domestic and international.

You can fly directly into Darwin with an average four hour flight time from most Australian capital cities, Kuala Lumpur, Manilla or Singapore, and only a 2½ hours from Bali.

Silk Air, Jetstar, AirAsia, Malaysian Airlines and Philippine Airlines service Darwin daily, with Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia operating regular direct services to all Australian capital cities. Airnorth and Skywest are the major regional airlines for the Territory and Western Australia, providing essential links for regional communities, tourists and business travellers alike.

3. Food for the soul belly

The food offering at Darwin Convention Centre is one-of-a-kind, and features oodles of delicious fresh produce from the local area.

Featuring the best of the Top End’s produce including wild barramundi, premium beef, exotic tropical fruits and seasonal vegetables, Executive Chef (and NT local) Toby Beaton, brings beautiful food to every event.

Beaton says his inspiration comes from fresh local produce, tropical environment, strong South East Asian influences, while also being happy to work with event organisers to design an innovative and tailor-made menu to match any occasion or dietary requirements.

4. Tap into the talent

Australia is jam-packed with talented industry speakers and guests, and the Top End talent is no different.

By hosting conferences at the Darwin Convention Centre, any event can go from good to great just by inviting locally-based industry experts as guest speakers, as well as organising field visits to educational research centres, industry sites or remote communities.

Some of the areas where you’ll find experts in the NT include mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, indigenous health, and tropical knowledge.

5. Stay a little longer

Whether you stay for a long time or just a little, there’s an abundance of beauty all over the Northern Territory to explore, and it’s experiences you won’t find anywhere else!

Darwin is the perfect launch pad for all of the Northern Territory’s stunning natural landscapes and national parks, from tropical coastlines to heritage listed wetlands, wildlife parks, and escarpment vistas.

Natural treasures like the World Heritage-listed Kakadu, Katherine Gorge, and Litchfield National Parks are all within driving distance of the city.

Many of these locations are still home to thriving populations of crocodiles, goannas, snakes, and wallabies, a clear favourite for visitors from around the world.

A few of the top attractions to visit when in Darwin – ever heard of bleisure trips? – include:

• Arnhem Land; an iconic Aboriginal Cultural region
• Berry Springs; natural waterslides and creek cascades
• Kakadu National Park; UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu, covering some 20,000 square kilometres
• Katherine Gorge; views over the 13 gorges with 60 metre sandstone cliffs that rise out of the Katherine River
• Litchfield National Park; amazing sandstone escarpments, natural spring-fed waterfalls and tropical lagoons
• Mary River; extraordinary birdlife and beautiful scenery just one hour from Darwin city
• Territory Wildlife Park; 45 minutes south of Darwin, the Territory Wildlife Park sits amid 400 hectares of bushland
• Tiwi Islands; Experience one of the world’s oldest living cultures, the Tiwi people, just a 20-min flight from Darwin
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park; see Australia’s most recognisable natural icon and discover Kata Tjuta, or the Olgas