Being held from 17-19 October, the 2019 National Olive Industry Conference & Exhibition is set to be another great ‘must-attend’ event. Two jam-packed days of interactive learning, networking and socialising will be followed by a third full of optional field-and-fun sessions, with a night of celebrations at the AIOA Awards Presentation in between.
The host city of Albury is pretty easy to get to – just a 3.5 hr drive from Melbourne, a couple of hours more from Sydney and a quick direct flight from Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast – but it’s still a journey, so why not take advantage of the not-quite-as-hectic season for olive-growing and take an extra few days to explore the area.
With its Murray River setting, Albury’s a gorgeous place to enjoy a bit of outdoors, with a pick of hard and softer options available. Head along the Wagirra Trail, Wonga Wetlands or Botanical Gardens for a stride out (or stroll), hire canoes or a boat and fishing gear and head out onto the water, or rent a bike and explore the cycling paths and parks across the city and beyond. And if you can’t do without a weekly dose of five-iron action, there’s a highly-rated commercial golf course where you can get your fix.
Wine lovers may want an extra day or two to check out cellar doors in the nearby Rutherglen wine region, or you may just want to relax your way through a few regional produce lunches or dinners. And is this where we mention the Circa 1928 Day Spa?
And if you like a bit of culture in your downtime, there’s plenty of that on offer too. MAMA – the Murray Art Museum Albury – is one of the best regional galleries in Australia, with dynamic collections including important indigenous works. There’s a free guided tour on Monday mornings if you stay a couple of extra days! There’s also the Albury Library Museum, war memorials and monuments, and much, much more.
Whatever your bent, think about extending your stay post-Conference and taking a good look around our host city while you’re there.
There’s more information on the Destination NSW website here, where you’ll also find a wide range of accommodation options.
And find out more about the 2019 National Olive Industry Conference & Exhibition on the event website – http://www.nationaloliveconference.com.au. Registrations open soon, so save the dates on your calendar and start planning your trip to Albury in October.
