The Best Team Events in Newcastle. Where to Go and What to Book in Newcastle
The iconic city of Newcastle is an ideal location for your next team building program, team offsite and leadership retreat. With it’s stunning coastline, beaches, historic sites and proximity to the Hunter Valley, Newcastle makes for a great location for your next team development day.
The hardest part is going to be picking which location to run your event from, but luckily for you, we’ve shortlisted a few amazing indoor and outdoor team building program locations to help.
Finding the perfect team building program
Don’t get caught up in the stunning views of Newcastle harbour, the location only makes up a small portion of selecting the right program. And in reality, we want to pick the program before we even consider the location to make sure you get the best return on your investment. Because in the end, developing your team is an investment and we want to make sure you’re investing wisely.
So let’s start with 5 key questions to consider, before we pick our Newcastle team building venue:
- What is the goal of this event? Which skills, KPIs, and metrics are we looking to improve? Fun is a given, but if it’s just fun, then you’re only spending money on a bonding expense, and not an investment in your team.
- What does the data say? Have you run the data? Do you know what your team needs or are we just guessing? Our Team Needs Analysis is a great way to know what you need
- Do you care, or want to appear to care? This plays directly into what you do and why. If you want to appear as if you care a fancy, flashy dinner could be the bandaid fix you want
- On a scale of 1-5 how serious are you about team development? 1 =90min 5= 4hr+
- Who are you doing this for? Are you doing this for yourself or for the development of the team?
Why Newcastle rocks for team building programs
Besides the superficial aspect of the stunning coastline, iconic parks, historic sites, conference venues and hotels of various size, Newcastle really has it all.
A short walk between sites, or a ride along the tram line, you can easily move your team from point to point.
Not to mention the majority of accommodation in Newcastle has conference and meeting spaces, which you can easily add on to your day.
Now, don’t get caught up in all the amazing outdoor spaces in Newcastle. Yes, there is Foreshore Park, King Edward Park and Knobbys Beach. To use any of the outdoor spaces in Newcastle, like the majority of Councils in New South Wales, you’ll need to pay for a council permit for your program. So Depending on your budget, you might choose to stay indoors and re-use your meeting space, rather than spend a few hundred dollars just to play outside.
How much are council permits? Depending on the location, group size, and duration, pricing varies. Ask our team, and we can support you when planning your next team program
Newcastle’s best outdoor team building venues
This is hard, so many great locations, and the program will change the ideal location, but here is our favourite park & beach
Newcastle’s Best Park: King Edward Park
King Edward Park has plenty of space to move around, lots of shade, plenty of parking and not to mention great views. This location gives you plenty of space for your team to be active, creative and use quiet areas for reflection and workshop talks.
It suits various outdoor programs to meet your goals.
Best Programs for King Edward Park
BONUS
- If you have some extra time, you can make a walk down to the famous Bogey Hole for that obligatory selfie or swim.
- Make it meaningful, use the public BBQs and do an intimate BBQ thanks to one of the many great local family-owned butchers
Newcastle’s Best Beach: Knobbys Beach OR Dixon Park Beach
How can you really pick the best Beach in Newcastle? So we didn’t, we chose two.
Knobbys Beach it’s iconic, stunning, and a default favourite. The breakwall and lighthouse behind you, plenty of park space, public BBQs and a lovely beach area. BUT it can be hard, to find good parking, or free parking.
However, it is much closer to the city, so if you’re in town for a day, you could easily walk here.
Dixon Park Beach a bit further off the “main path”, and yes, if you’re a local it’s technically Merewether, but we aren’t here to split hairs.
A quieter location, free parking, a great park with a covered area, and public BBQs. And if you’re visiting the area, you have to ask yourself, “Do I do what everyone else does, show no creativity and love for adventure? Or do we take an 8-minute drive for something special?”. Besides the amazing beach itself, you also have the Dixon Park Surf Lifesaving Club for an indoor backup or a venue for a social end to the day.
Either way, both locations provide lots of space to be active, enjoy the sun and beach while building your team
Important note – While it might seem like the best time of year, sand is HOT in the summer. So maybe skip the beach events in December and January?
Best beach team programs
- Mini-Olympics
- Survivor
- Cardboard Sailor (depending on surf conditions)
- Team Building 101
Newcastle’s best indoor team building venues
For this section, we wanted to look at options NOT linked to hotels. Depending on your team size this will impact which hotel you choose to stay at. So we wanted to focus on two great locations, separate from the accommodation.
The Place – Charlestown
Again, like Dixon Park Beach, a little out of town, but an amazing space for small to medium teams who want a simple venue, for a little more of a DIY Feel.
Located at Charlestown Square, when you book at The Place you’ll receive free parking (score!), and their various room sizes have AV needs and the potential to do some self-catering or have them cater for you too. While being cost-effective, this venue doesn’t feel cheap. We love it for our workshops, coaching and creative team challenges.
Earp Distilling Co- Newcastle
Just the other side of the harbour, Earp Distilling Co does more than make a great drop. Their barrel room makes for a stunning backdrop for indoor team programs.
This large open space allows you to move around and create some energy as you build a powerful group. Plus, you can add on some tastings post-session to blend the results and social into one.
Many companies want to include drinks and food as part of their team development without making it the sole purpose, which is what makes this venue ideal. Start off with some focused, result-driven fun, then shift into a small tasting before wrapping up the day.
Best Indoor team programs in Newcastle
- Mousetrap Challenge
- LEGO® Modality Programs
- Science of Leadership Workshop
- LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Methodology Program
- Minute To Win It
- Master of Puppets
Newcastle’s Best Team Building Programs
Best Collaborative Program: Mousetrap Challenge
One of our most popular programs nationwide, the Mousetrap Challenge is hands-down one of the best programs to build collaboration.
There is no “I win” there is only “We win” or “We lose”. All about breaking down siloes, collaboration, trust, problem-solving, goal setting, customer journey and so much more.
Mousetrap is the ideal program for ANY indoor space. Boardroom? Sure. Conference space? Why not! This program can adapt and change any environment to a suitable learning space.
Best Collaborative Program: Rocket Man
A little left field, but don’t let the subtleties fool you. This program pushes creative thinking, problem-solving and has a great competitive edge.
When some programs, like Mini-Olympics, can lose the message due to the fun and goofiness of the challenges, Rocket Man brings you back to earth as your rocket either lands smoothly, or makes a splash on the lanch pad.
Working in small teams, you’re against the clock as you need to build a water-powered rocket to blast into the skies of Newcastle… and hopefully land smoothly
Best Project Management Program: LEGO® Creators
Roll a dice and discover what you’re about to build.
One overall build challenge for your team, with each group responsible for their portion of the build. Perhaps one giant hospital, a city or a theme park.
You’ll need to work collaboratively, manage your time, design and resources. A social and fun program with the depth of a Leadership Workshop.
Idea for any indoor space, from 90minutes to 6 hours for those teams ready to make a true investment in their future.
Best just fun, no skill development: Amazing Race
A popular bonding event for those looking to explore a city but not focus on any skills. A fun and memorable day for your team.
The Amazing Race is a touchy subject. Probably the most commonly mislabeled program in the industry. While the Amazing Race is an epic day, it does fall into the bonding category, also known as “Team BANDAIDING”. For those looking to be active, explore the city and grab some amazing photos, this and Photo Hunt are ideal.
But just like the show, your group is split into smaller teams, before they race off, do their own thing at their own pace, and periodically cross paths. Very little “team” focused, so it’s important to manage your expectations on skill development.
You’ll have a great time, but you won’t be moving that needle far.
When it comes to the best of Newcastle, you can see there are plenty of programs and sites to choose from.
Premier Team Building is proud to call the Newcastle Region home to our Head Office. With ample venue partners and local insight, when you invest with Premier Team Building, you’re in skilled, capable hands.
Don’t be overwhelmed by the choices of the best team building programs in Newcastle. Speak to our team today, and let’s support you in making a positive impact in your team and support your growth.
Better yet, if you’re ready to start the journey, complete our quick quote today and we’ll find you the best team building program for your goals and team.
