Tourism

The 2024 Penrite Hattah Desert Race, held over the weekend, provided thrilling moments as the challenging race culminated in victory for some and disappointment for others. Callum Norton has been a notable figure since his junior racing days at Hattah.

The Kaniva and District Progress Association has been awarded a small grant ... [that] will help create the Wiregrass Main Street Heritage Trail. This is an exciting initiative which aims to shine a light on the social history of rural Australia through the lens of Percy Leason.

A tender has been released to improve disability access for the lower plunge pool at Edith Falls, to supply and install a hoist to provide visitors in wheelchairs safe access into the plunge pool. The hoist will be designed to fit in with the natural landscape and will be fitted with a mechanism so the person in the wheelchair can operate it in a safe manner.  

The Warwick Chapter of the Historical Motorcycle Club of Queensland will host their 30th Anniversary Rally in Allora this weekend with riders coming from Northern New South Wales, Brisbane, Townsville, Brisbane and all around South East Queensland. At least 140 riders and pillions with their precious bikes will gather at the Allora Showgrounds.

Coliban Water recently hosted representatives from Heritage Victoria as part of a bid to have the Victorian Goldfields listed on the World Heritage List. Adam Crameri, General Manager Water and Climate Strategy at Coliban Water, highlighted the significance of the region, noting that its inclusion would make it the 21st site in Australia to achieve this status.

Lockhart Shire’s Marrocka Emus has been collaborating with other emus farms and Charles Sturt University to develop new emu oils with huge health benefits to humans as well as the further development of the farms as agritourism experience for visiting groups. Marrocka Emu farm was first purchased as a vacant block of land in 1991 by its current owners Ian and Marilyn Marston.  

This weekend Kaniva welcomed delegates from 47 shows across the state. This year’s convention was deemed a success by all. Participants travelled from right across Victoria; from Seymour to Mildura, Dandenong and Cohuna. The Kaniva A&P Society was announced as the host of the annual State Victorian Agricultural Shows Convention at Geelong last year.

Pia Funch & Trina Shepherd. Here is the latest news from the travel industry and the LHITA. Australians have accumulated significant amounts of annual leave due to the pandemic, with the average standing at 14.1 days per year ... This "pent-up demand" has led to a more competitive travel space and a notable increase in marketing spend.

Jenni and Trevor Campbell. On our way home from our holiday in Northern New South Wales, we called in to meet Chris Fussell, the sculptor who is making Donald’s giant kookaburra ... Chris has our kookaburra well on the way and hopes to be able to bring it to Donald in the spring.

The NT Government has reduced its minor subsidy for the iconic tourist attraction Henley on Todd to an extent where the event cannot take place this year, according to MLA for Braitling, Josh Burgoyne ... “The dry river boat races have been occurring in Alice Springs since the 1960s with locals and tourists racing against one another.”

Lachlan Valley Railway is bringing a 1960s vintage train to Casino next month. LVR is a rail preservation society in Cowra that was established in 1974. The society aims to preserve and operate former NSW Government Railways locomotives and rolling stock.

Wayne Hawthorne. It was a case of previously not having been there, not having done that, or at least in recent times. Touring one of the town’s lesser-known tourist attractions was a first for some Naracoorte Men’s Probus members and their wives. Narracoorte Homestead is a gem amongst us.

Maldon in Winter Festival started last Friday with a full moon, a rush of steam and sparks flying from the enormous bonfire hosted by the Maldon Lions Club ... The bonfire was planned to coincide with the winter solstice, but a full moon on the same night only happens every 20 years.

Serena Kirby. The recent arrival of nearly 60 barrels of premium whisky marks major progress in the development of a new distillery on Mt Shadforth. The establishment of Nullaki Distillery has been the long-term dream of Michael Tomasz and his business partner who did not wish to be named that’s taken a decade to come to fruition.

Narrandera's Rockin’ on East Festival has unfortunately been discontinued following the sudden disbandment of its organising committee. The festival has been attracting visitors from far and wide to Narrandera during the October long weekend since its inception a little over nine years ago ... Ultimately, it was decided that the festival could not proceed.

The whale watching season in Queensland is now officially open with 40,000 gentle giants holidaying on Queensland’s coastline from June to November. Queensland’s east coast, also known as the humpback highway, is expected to attract more than 127,000 domestic visitors. Queensland has a high association as a destination with world-class nature and wildlife experiences...

South Australian sprinting sensation Cash On Delivery overcame a difficult start from box 3 to record a sensational win in the $75000 Thunderbolt, the richest race in the world over 350m, hosted by the Grafton Greyhound Racing Club on June 22. After qualifying for the feature event following an impressive win and placing in the Thunderbolt heats and semi-finals run on the track ... Cash On Delivery was well supported by punters as the eight finalists headed onto the track.

Alexandra Bull. A foggy and chilly Saturday morning did not dampen the spirits of all 201 rowers rowing in the annual Renmark Rowing Club Wharf to Woolshed Long Row. With 44 crews on the water, slightly challenging conditions marked the start of the 36km row ... Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson also jumped into the Renmark Rowing Club eight for the last 10km

Western Australia's first non-stop seasonal service between Singapore and Broome launched today, marking the first international route to fly directly into regional WA since the State's borders reopened ... Jetstar Asia's seasonal service will bring almost 6,500 inbound seats to Broome in its first year and reduce travel time between the two destinations by over five hours.

Rachel Hagan. The value of agritourism in Australia is expected to reach about $18 billion by 2023, and Yorke Peninsula residents have shown they are ready to learn all the tricks of the trade ... "People are doing it a lot in Europe, spending time on a European farm eating French food, on a French farm, and people are loving that very authentic cultural experience all over the world": Susan Lee.

More than two years ago Mike Schill and Karen Johnson opened a  rustic looking shop  on their property at Drake ... For the tourists in search of gold, the store sells gold pans, portable, foldable spades, glass vials to put all the gold you find and other gold panning equipment.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli’s call to the Queensland Government for a lifeline following Bonza Airline’s closure has been met with a positive step forward ... The Fund will support direct Jetstar flights from Sunshine Coast Airport to Auckland all year round, starting in December.