BACKGROUND:

Siren Design is a team of close-knit, talented, energetic and committed commercial interior designers who were really looking forward to spending time with each other at their annual retreat. Their brief to us was:

“We want to take the team on an adventurous mini-holiday with meaning. Sirens from our Melbourne and Singapore teams will be flown into Sydney to attend the retreat. We want it to be extraordinary!”

sire-design-port-stephens-content-1 — Sunset over the sand dunes

WE DELIVERED:

We designed a 2-day program to Port Stephens that was all-inclusive. Having tour operator accreditation, this meant we were able to pick the team up from outside their office in the city. Within an hour we had escaped the city and were enjoying the natural surrounds of Ku-ring-gai National Park. Here, Dr Garry Richards (the most experienced outdoor educator in Australia who is sharing his expertise on our blog) facilitated a custom program that seemed simple at first, but raised some key questions pertinent to the issues faced by the Siren Design Group.

Although we had some major setbacks outside of our control, such as a major traffic jam on the highway, we turned the holiday into a fun, family adventure. Dr Richards easily became “Dad”; the drive flew by with an impromptu road game that had the whole bus interacting seriously, while giggling at the same time. We added in some cappuccinos in the morning, lunch was a fun and creative version of “Iron Chef”, and we managed to stop at a winery/brewery in the afternoon. We seamlessly rearranged the itinerary, which meant enjoying a beautiful sunset over Stockton Beach… with the bonus of seeing whales off the coast.

sire-design-port-stephens-content-2 — Swimming with dolphins and problem-solving in the bush

The night was spent in a friendly rainforest retreat with wooden cabins. Together, we cooked damper, stew and veges around a campfire. Afterwards we had drinks and Tim-Tams, “Dad” spoke about the stars and Andy did some of his famous long exposure night photography.

The next morning we were farewelled by kangaroos and then climbed to the summit of Mt Tomaree for spectacular 360’ views over all of Port Stephens. A dolphin-watching cruise (where a brave few swam in the boom net) followed by some delicious Fish’n’Chips, completed the adventure.