Finding suitable corporate retreat accommodation, NSW involves more than choosing a hotel with enough rooms. Employers need somewhere their team can meet, stay, share meals and reconnect without being separated across different floors, buildings or venues.
Berrima Retreat offers private group accommodation for 22–55 guests in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Located approximately 90 minutes from Sydney and Canberra, it gives businesses an accessible country setting for strategic planning, leadership development, staff training, team building and employee reward weekends.
Unlike a standard hotel or shared conference centre, Berrima Retreat is reserved for one group at a time. Your employees can stay, meet and relax together at one private property without sharing the main facilities with unrelated guests.
Why Top Employers Invest in Corporate Retreats
Strong workplace culture is rarely created through emails and video calls alone. Teams also need opportunities to talk, exchange ideas and develop relationships outside their everyday responsibilities.
A corporate retreat gives employees time to step away from daily interruptions and focus on a specific purpose. Depending on the organisation, that purpose might include:
- Developing a new business strategy
- Preparing annual or quarterly plans
- Training employees
- Building leadership capability
- Welcoming new team members
- Strengthening communication between departments
- Reconnecting remote and hybrid employees
- Recognising staff achievements
- Supporting workplace wellbeing
- Celebrating the completion of a major project
Australia’s business.gov.au guidance explains that a mentally healthy workplace can support positive workplace culture, productivity, job satisfaction and employee retention. A retreat does not replace an employer’s workplace health and safety responsibilities, but it can form part of a broader program focused on communication, connection and wellbeing. Read the Australian Government’s guidance on creating a mentally healthy workplace.
The most effective retreats have a clear purpose. They balance structured work with informal time, giving employees room to contribute, reflect and connect naturally.
Corporate Retreat Accommodation NSW Teams Can Use Exclusively
Privacy can make a significant difference to a company retreat. Sensitive business discussions, leadership conversations and planning sessions are difficult to conduct when other guests are walking through the same areas.
Berrima Retreat is an exclusive-use property. Only one group stays at the venue at a time, allowing your company to establish a schedule that works for its objectives.
Exclusive use provides:
- Greater privacy for business discussions
- Fewer interruptions from unrelated guests
- Flexible use of communal areas
- Easier communication with the entire team
- A more relaxed setting for informal conversations
- One central location for accommodation and activities
- More control over meals and daily schedules
Employees do not have to travel between a hotel, meeting venue and restaurant. Once the group arrives, everyone can remain onsite for the planned program.
Explore the advantages of exclusive-use group accommodation before planning your company retreat.
Accommodation for 22–55 Employees
Coordinating bedrooms for a large team can become complicated, particularly when attendees have different requirements.
Berrima Retreat accommodates groups of 22–55 guests. The main house contains 11 bedrooms and sleeps up to 43 people. For larger teams, the optional North Wing adds four bedrooms and one bathroom.
Beds can be configured as kings or singles, helping organisers accommodate couples, individual employees, managers and facilitators. Bed arrangements should be confirmed before the applicable preparation deadline.
The property also has six bathrooms, each with a toilet and shower, as well as two bathtubs. Accessible downstairs areas include a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and lounge suitable for guests using walkers.
Before booking, organisers should ask employees privately about accessibility, dietary and room-allocation requirements. Gathering this information early makes it easier to create a practical and inclusive retreat plan.
A Leadership Retreat Venue With Meeting Space
A successful company retreat needs more than beds. It also needs an appropriate place for employees to meet, present ideas and work together.
Berrima Retreat has a large events room that seats approximately 65 people. Subject to the intended layout and use, it may suit:
- Leadership presentations
- Strategic planning sessions
- Staff training
- Professional development workshops
- Department meetings
- Goal-setting sessions
- Guest speakers
- Team briefings
- Project reviews
- End-of-year presentations
The events room keeps the main program separate from bedrooms and casual living spaces. This helps employees distinguish between structured sessions and downtime.
Companies should discuss their planned room layout, presentation equipment, schedule and activities with the Berrima Retreat team before booking. This allows the venue to confirm whether the proposed setup is suitable.
Learn more about organising a stay through Berrima Retreat’s corporate retreat information.
Breakout Areas for Smaller Discussions
Not every conversation is best held in a room with the entire company. Leadership retreats and planning programs often need smaller spaces where departments or project teams can work through individual topics.
Berrima Retreat has multiple lounges and communal areas that can provide useful breakout options. Teams can separate for smaller discussions and then return to the main events room to present their recommendations.
A company could divide employees into groups based on:
- Departments
- Business priorities
- Current projects
- Customer challenges
- Leadership responsibilities
- Training activities
- Workshop topics
The combination of a central events room and smaller shared areas allows organisers to create a more varied program than a single-room conference.
Use the Private Cinema for Presentations and Reviews
Berrima Retreat’s private cinema room includes an 85-inch screen, a sound system and blackout walls.
Depending on the proposed use and technical requirements, companies may be able to use the cinema for group presentations, training videos, project reviews or recorded messages. It can also provide a relaxed evening activity after the formal program has finished.
Rather than asking the team to gather around a laptop, the cinema gives employees a comfortable shared viewing space. Organisers should confirm device connections and presentation requirements before arriving.
Shared Meals Help Employees Connect
Some of the most valuable retreat conversations happen away from the formal agenda. Breakfast, dinner and coffee breaks give employees opportunities to speak with colleagues they may not normally work beside.
Berrima Retreat has a commercial kitchen where groups or their chosen caterers can prepare meals. A large dining area seats 20 or more guests, while additional indoor and outdoor spaces can help accommodate the wider group.
Companies can choose an approach that suits their budget and retreat style:
- Prepare meals as a team
- Allocate cooking responsibilities between departments
- Arrange delivered meals
- Engage an external caterer
- Organise a private chef
- Use the BBQ facilities
- Plan a casual wood-fired pizza evening
Cooking together can even become an informal team-building activity. Alternatively, arranging catering can allow employees to focus entirely on the retreat program.
Review the available catering and self-catering options while preparing your itinerary.
Informal Team Building Without Leaving the Property
Team building does not always need to involve a highly structured corporate exercise. Employees can develop stronger relationships by spending relaxed time together away from deadlines and workplace roles.
Berrima Retreat offers a range of group-friendly amenities, including:
- A swimming pool
- Kayaks on the dam
- Volleyball
- A basketball hoop
- Bikes
- Spacious lawns
- A firepit
- BBQ facilities
- Pool and table tennis
- Giant chess
- Cornhole
- A private cinema
- Indoor games
- Sheep and alpacas
These activities allow employees to choose how they participate. Some people might enjoy a volleyball game, while others may prefer a quiet conversation outside or a movie in the cinema.
Offering different options can make a retreat more comfortable for employees with varied interests, ages and physical abilities. Participation in recreational activities should be appropriate, clearly communicated and managed safely by the organiser.
Add Wellness to Your Company Retreat
Employers planning a staff wellbeing retreat can also explore optional onsite wellness services at Berrima Retreat.
Available options may include:
- Individual or group massage
- Private yoga sessions
- Private Pilates classes
A morning yoga class could help the team transition into a planning day, while massage appointments may provide an optional relaxation experience during free time. Pilates can offer another structured movement session for participating employees.
These services are optional additions and are not included automatically with accommodation. Availability, suitability, participation, pricing and scheduling should be confirmed separately.
Visit the Berrima Retreat wellness page for more information about massage, yoga and Pilates options.
Wellness activities can complement a retreat, but they do not replace an employer’s responsibility to identify and manage psychosocial or physical workplace risks. Safe Work Australia distinguishes general wellbeing initiatives from the measures businesses must take to protect workers from workplace hazards.
A Company Retreat Near Sydney and Canberra
Berrima Retreat is located in Berrima in the Southern Highlands, approximately 90 minutes from both Sydney and Canberra.
This central location can work particularly well for organisations with employees based across:
- Sydney
- Canberra
- Wollongong
- The Southern Highlands
- Regional NSW
- The Australian Capital Territory
The drive is manageable for a weekend or multi-day retreat while still creating a clear separation from normal office routines.
Berrima and the wider Southern Highlands also offer cafés, restaurants, historic attractions, walking areas and local experiences. Businesses can include an offsite activity or meal if it supports the retreat schedule.
Which Employers Could Benefit From Berrima Retreat?
Berrima Retreat may suit employers across many industries. The property is not limited to large corporations or executive leadership teams.
Potential groups include:
- Professional services firms
- Accountancy and financial teams
- Real estate agencies
- Technology companies
- Construction and trade businesses
- Healthcare organisations
- Education providers
- Not-for-profit organisations
- Government departments
- Community service providers
- Sales teams
- Marketing agencies
- Remote and hybrid workplaces
- Small and medium-sized businesses
- Family-owned companies
- Project and leadership teams
The most important consideration is whether the accommodation, facilities and available spaces suit the company’s group size, program and intended activities.
How to Plan a Corporate Retreat at Berrima Retreat
Before enquiring, prepare the following information:
- Choose the retreat objective. Decide whether the main purpose is strategic planning, training, team building, wellbeing or celebration.
- Estimate attendance. Confirm whether the group will meet the accommodation range of 22–55 guests.
- Select preferred dates. Include alternative dates wherever possible.
- Decide how many nights are required. Allow enough time for employees to arrive, settle in and participate without rushing.
- Draft the program. Balance formal sessions, meals, breaks and recreational time.
- List your space requirements. Explain how you intend to use the events room, cinema and breakout areas.
- Confirm equipment requirements. Identify screens, cables, audio equipment, whiteboards or other presentation materials you may need.
- Plan meals. Decide whether the team will self-cater, order delivered food or engage a catering provider.
- Ask about accessibility and dietary needs. Collect this information privately from attendees.
- Consider optional activities. Decide whether onsite recreation or wellness sessions should be included.
- Arrange transport. Determine whether employees will drive individually, carpool or use group transport.
- Discuss the complete plan with Berrima Retreat. Provide enough detail for the team to confirm that the proposed stay and activities are suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many employees can stay at Berrima Retreat?
Berrima Retreat provides group accommodation for 22–55 guests. The main house sleeps up to 43 people, while the optional North Wing provides four additional bedrooms and one bathroom.
Is Berrima Retreat available for exclusive corporate use?
Yes. Berrima Retreat accepts one group at a time, giving your company private use of the property’s main accommodation and facilities during the stay.
Does Berrima Retreat have a meeting or conference room?
The property has a large events room that seats approximately 65 people. It may suit meetings, presentations, workshops and training sessions, depending on your intended layout and requirements.
Can companies organise catering?
Yes. Groups can use the commercial kitchen for self-catering or discuss delivered catering, private chefs and other food arrangements. External provider availability and pricing must be confirmed separately.
Are corporate wellness activities available?
Optional massage, yoga and Pilates services may be arranged onsite. These services are additional to the accommodation booking and are subject to availability.
What team-building activities are available onsite?
Facilities include a swimming pool, kayaks, volleyball, basketball, bikes, lawn games, pool, table tennis, giant chess, a cinema and outdoor gathering areas.
How far is Berrima Retreat from Sydney and Canberra?
Berrima Retreat is in the Southern Highlands of NSW, approximately 90 minutes from Sydney and Canberra.
Can remote and hybrid teams stay at Berrima Retreat?
Yes. The property may suit remote and hybrid teams wanting to meet in person, strengthen working relationships and plan future projects. Internet and technical requirements should be discussed before booking.
Bring Your Workplace Team Together
Choosing the right corporate retreat accommodation in NSW gives employees more than somewhere to sleep. It creates a private setting where people can concentrate, communicate and spend meaningful time together.
At Berrima Retreat, 22–55 employees can stay, meet, eat and relax at one exclusive-use Southern Highlands property. With a large events room, breakout areas, a cinema, commercial kitchen, onsite activities and optional wellness services, organisers can build a retreat around their company’s purpose.
Contact Berrima Retreat to discuss your preferred dates, employee numbers, accommodation requirements and proposed corporate retreat program.