Meet in... North Sydney

OTB. That’s what they call it. OTB. ‘Over the Bridge’. If you didn’t realise this was a thing, then we’re here to tell you, it is! Most people think that business in Sydney only happens in the CBD, but trust us, cross the Harbour Bridge and you’ll realise that the opportunity to create an amazing business event in this city stretches much further north.

First stop… Milsons Point, North Sydney and St Leonards.

Is there any better way to greet the morning and get ready for that meeting or conference than a few laps at a harbourside Olympic Swimming Pool? Now, North Sydney Pool this isn’t for the faint-hearted, there are some serious lappers here – but what a stunning way to get you excited for the day ahead.

The North Sydney Council area has two large business districts: North Sydney and St Leonards.

North Sydney is home to a number of tech giants, engineering firms, and media and advertising agencies. And everything in between. St Leonards is one of Sydney’s health and education precincts.

Both areas are serviced by great transport networks, strong venue and facility capabilities for business events of all styles and sizes, and wide-open spaces to come together for that all-important networking and connectivity.

Tip: If you get some downtime between meetings when you’re here, visit the gorgeous McMahons Point, where you can visit quaint shops in an atmospheric tree-lined street, then meander down to Blues Point Reserve to take in a different angle of Sydney Harbour.

Next stop… Chatswood.

This bustling suburb is a hive of activity from dawn til night. Chatswood is one of the Sydney "North Shore's" major commercial and retail districts. The "Sydney global economic corridor", is used to describe this geographical "arch" of Sydney, home to international corporations. Home to a number of technology, FMCG and construction firms, Chatswood, is a great location to hold a business event.

Hotels, function venues, restaurants, shopping centres and theatres can be found amongst the high-rises that dot the city skyline. Chatswood train station is one of the major interchange stations for connectivity across the city, linking the north shore train line with buses and the driverless trains of the new rapidly expanding Sydney Metro.

Tip: It would be easy to stroll through Chatswood without noticing all the public sculptures on display, but keep an eye out and you’ll spot lots of interesting pieces of art.

Hang a left, end of our line is Macquarie Park.

Don’t be fooled by this headline – Macquarie Park is definitely not the end of the line; but on this expedition OTB, this is our last stop. Macquarie Park is located just 13 kilometres north-west of Sydney’s CBD, and nestled alongside the extensive bushland of the Lane Cove National Park. This mini-metropolis has everything you might need for hosting a business event. Home to many of Australia’s FMCG, consumer, IT, electronic and manufacturing brands, this is one of Sydney’s major R&D hubs, and a growing start-up community. It is known to have the fourth-largest concentration of jobs in NSW after Sydney CBD.  

Macquarie University is also right on the spot. Fast becoming known as a research centre of excellence, it is also home to the Macquarie University Hospital, the Cochlear Research Centre and the Optus Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub.

Holding your business event in the area is easy: it's serviced by a number of venues in the University, hotels, function centres and restaurants.

The area is serviced by excellent train connections taking you to every part of the greater city. The best part about the Macquarie Park area is everything is within easy walking distance.

Tip: If you need some retail therapy during a meeting break, head over to Macquarie Shopping Centre, home to all the local and international brands. You can also get your skates on in the Macquarie Park Ice Rink located within the centre.

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