Long Point Conference Centre – A Background
Long Point Conference Centre is located in and named after Long Point, a tiny suburb of Sydney in the local government area of Campbelltown. It is 46 kilometres south-west of the Sydney CBD.
Geography of Long Point
Long Point got its name from its geographic location, which can be clearly seen when looking at a map of the area – it is a peninsula, or “point”, surrounded by the Georges River. Long Point Conference Centre is located on Wills Road, about half way down the point. This road is one of only three in the suburb, which had a population of just 212 at the 2016 census. The suburb is south of Macquarie Fields and has a mixture of small cottages and large brick houses, surrounded by the Georges River Bushland Area. It also has a camping site for up to 120 people.
History of Long Point
In the past, Long Point was considered part of the suburb of Macquarie Fields. The area was formally named Long Point in 1975, although it had been known locally as Long Point, Long Nose Point or simply “The Point” for many years prior to that.
Historically, in the 1930s, gangsters from Eastern Sydney would go into hiding in small houses in the bushland here to escape capture by police. During the Great Depression, poor and homeless families also built shelters in the area, and tried to survive by fishing in the river or catching rabbits to eat.
Later, sand was mined in Long Point for a number of years. It was made a Scenic Protection Area in the 1970s, meaning that according to the State Government, protection and enhancement of the natural, visual, environmental and heritage qualities of the area is needed.
Wildlife and Scenic Bushwalks
Some of the Scenic Protection Area of Long Point is native Australian bushland, including flora and wildlife. Native Australian birds such as kookaburras, crimson rosellas and king parrots can be seen and heard in the area. Koalas have also been sighted on multiple occasions, and scientists keep particular note of these as Campbelltown has the only chlamydia-free population of koalas in Australia. Other native Australian animals that can be found in Long Point include possums and kangaroos.
There are a number of bushwalking tracks accessible to the public. These range in difficulty from very easy, suitable for families with young children to stroll along, to more challenging hikes involving steep descents and clambering over rocks. Some tracks allow access to the Georges River, which is used by locals to cool off in warm weather. However, crossing the river from Long Point to the other side is not permitted as you are then entering Defence land (Holsworthy military reserve).
History and Development of Long Point Conference Centre
Previously owned by the Boys’ Brigade, Long Point Conference Centre has been hired out as a camp since 1999 (then under the name Long Point Camp). One of its first major events was providing almost 100 bus drivers working at the Sydney Olympic Games with group accommodation and meals over a number of weeks in 2000. Over the years since that time, a series of improvements have been made to the Conference Centre, including renovating the old buildings into cosy cabins and dormitories, making it an increasingly attractive venue for many types of events and groups.
A large undercover dining area has been constructed, and the former dining room has been turned into a cosy café. The 200 seat auditorium now includes a stage and modern audio-visual equipment. Most recently, all ten cabins were extended and totally renovated to include bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Outdoors, the swimming pool area has been expanded and beautifully landscaped with grass, palm trees and shade sails. It now also includes change room, shower and toilet facilities and an electric sauna. A full-size grass sports field has been added, complete with floodlights. The children’s playground now includes a sandpit with shade sails. Importantly, the grounds are beautifully landscaped and well-maintained and include seating areas for guests to relax outdoors. Native birds can be commonly seen, and koalas have even been spotted on site!
Dedicated and Friendly Staff
No overview of Long Point Conference Centre would be complete without mentioning its staff, some of whom have worked there since the very earliest camps over 20 years ago. The staff are dedicated, friendly and hard-working, and aim to provide the best possible service to guests in all areas. The catering team prepares all the food for catered camps on site.
From Camp to Modern Conference Centre
From humble beginnings over twenty years ago, Long Point Conference Centre has improved and expanded into a modern conference facility. LPCC is now a sought-after venue for a number of purposes, with some groups returning every year for their regular events. The venue now hosts events such as family reunions, school camps, religious groups, tourist groups, and other clubs and organisations, while continuing to provide good, old-fashioned service to all its guests.