Tourism

Kirstin Nicholson. The whirring of planes could be heard from town on the weekend as the Cohuna Model Flying Club held its first event at the airfield since the pandemic began. Fifteen competitors took part in the Victorian Miniature Pylon Racing Association’s pylon racing competition over two days.

Clarence Valley Council's Tourism team ... presented Clarence Distillery co-owner Adam Freeman with the 2022 North Coast Local Tourism Hero Award for the Clarence Valley. The many ways this Yamba business epitomises 'local' - which led to their nomination - include ... great collaborators who often work with other local businesses to showcase products from the region ...

The Transport Administration Amendment (Rail Trails) Bill 2022 alters the Transport Administration Act 1988 to provide a streamlined process that may enable regional rail trails where and when the community wants them. Minister for Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the Bill unlocks opportunities for communities and fixes outdated and onerous legislation that required a change to the Act for each rail trail.

Agricultural industry leaders have taken a tour behind the scenes at Sydney International Airport to scope out Australia’s biosecurity measures. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Australia's Director of Biosecurity, Andrew Metcalfe AO said the visit was a chance for industry leaders to see biosecurity protections in action.

Elle Petersen. The Naracoorte Poultry & Pigeon Club held their Championship Show at the Naracoorte Showgrounds on Sunday 24th, with 200 pens displaying the finest of local ducks, chickens and pigeons. The club reported it was a pleasure to host Judge Brendan Lloyd from Victoria who awarded Champion Bird of Show to L. Barber.

Riverina Express ran through the Narrandera area at the weekend. The Express is a full time tourist train to service the Riverina-Murray area. It is regarded as superstar in passenger train evolution, offering speed, comfort and air-conditioning.

Geoff Helisma. A mural of Yaegl Elder Uncle Ron Herron, painted as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations, was vandalised over the weekend. “It’s unacceptable and a kick the guts for our mob as we try to raise our profile in Yaegl Country, following our successful native title claims,”: Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation’s CEO, William (Billy) Walker

On the 16th of August local, state and international heritage experts will come together at the Burra Town Hall to involve the community in a conversation about Burra's World Heritage bid. The panel will include renowned UK world heritage consultant Mr Barry Gamble who will be working with the Regional Council of Goyder, Copper Coast Council and National Trust on a joint World Heritage bid of the Cornish Mining sites in Burra and Moonta.

The Territory’s iconic Barunga Festival is set to take place from 12-14 August, with thousands of attendees from across the Territory and Australia set to descend upon the remote community for the three-day cultural extravaganza.

For one night only - Sunday 28 August - the Whyalla Left Hand Club will come to life, hosting visiting and local music acts as part of the Festival of Small Halls Winter Tour.

Demand for the facilities at Wagga Wagga’s new $12 million Multisport Cycling Complex at Pomingalarna Reserve is growing, with several events on the calendar for August. The 2022 AusCycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships will be held at the facility next weekend (13–14 August), followed by the Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon on Saturday 20 August.

There has never been a better time to visit Mullewa than right now. As the bush blooms all eyes are on the flourishing heart of wildflower country ... “Mullewa really is the place to be this time of year and it is not just about the wildflowers,”: City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn

Excellent reviews from tourists have resulted in a big tick for the Mount Isa Underground Hospital and Museum. The city’s top tourist attraction was picked for the Best of Queensland Experiences Program, which should lead to greater exposure through Tourism and Events Queensland.

Southern Downs Poultry Club recently staged their popular Annual Poultry Show and Treaty at the Allora Showgrounds. Exhibitors and interested parties came from many parts of Queensland as well as New South Wales.

The country’s racing-elite return to our region for Round 5 of the Australian Superbike Championship this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Motorcycling Australia CEO Peter Doyle expects that the event will be a much anticipated and welcome highlight for both spectators and riders.

It’s most likely you know about Casino’s unofficial town crier Brenda Armfield. And you definitely would have heard her voice. Brenda’s spruiking of the town she loves was recognised when she was named Local Tourism Hero for her support of Richmond Valley events and tourism.

Rex has announced record high passenger numbers and revenue across both its domestic and regional networks in the first month of the Financial Year 2023 (FY2023). On the domestic front, July’s pre-audited base passenger revenue was at $13.6m, almost double that of the monthly average of the prior three months at $6.87m.

More than $5 million was pumped into the local economy in the first half of the year thanks to two local festivals, economic data shows. The Port Fairy Folk Festival and Long Weekend Street Fair, held in March, and the Koroit Irish Festival, held in late April, resulted in a $5,118,949 increase in spending across the Moyne Shire. Spending associated with The Port Fairy Folk Festival and the Port Fairy Street Fair totaled $3.58M, up 40 per cent from the previous year when the festival was postponed due to Covid.

The Ultimate Festival of Wheels, Red CentreNATS returns to the stunning heart of Australia in September, and this year’s program takes things up another notch with the inclusion of a Thursday evening qualifying program at Alice Springs Inland Dragway (ASID). The additional evening is to cater for the ever-growing program, and will see ASID open for qualifying for both Round 1 of the 2022/2023 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship and Top Doorslammer Australia. This means the fastest cars on earth will be heading to the Red Centre.

Samuel Davis. A bold new plan to ferry tourists from Cooktown to the tropical paradise of Lizard Island has been revealed by the Cook Shire mayor. Around 90 kilometres adrift from Cooktown, Lizard Island has returned to its former glory almost a decade on from the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Ita.

After taking a Covid-forced hiatus for the past two years, the Laidley Spring Festival is back for 2022, with a raft of new and exciting events set to make their Festival debut. The theme for the 2022 Laidley Spring Festival is ‘Swing into Spring’ and Lockyer Valley Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said Council, and the community, were excited to welcome the event back come September.