Tourism

Max Coten rode the breakers into shore to record 24 minutes and 17 seconds, the fastest time at Sunday’s Southern Ocean Classic Mile ... The Denmark Surf Life Saving Club-hosted event attracted a big field of 135 swimmers, 27 of whom were locals.

The Narrandera Rod Run, which took place over the Easter weekend, seems to be getting bigger and better each year. This year's event proved to be a huge success with almost 500 vehicles involved. There were 398 entrants, plus 100 day-trip cars on Easter Sunday.

Kendall Jennings. Over 340 players hit the Kerang Lawn Tennis courts for the year's major fundraising event. The 2022 Kerang Easter Carnival was held from Friday, April 15 to Monday, April 18. The numbers this year were slightly down from last year, with 2021 breaking all participation records due to COVID-19 restrictions easing.

Kendall Jennings. The annual Kerang Turf Club Easter Races was once again a drawcard for Kerang with its seven-race afternoon on Saturday, April 16. In superb weather, punters were treated to fashions on the field, Easter Bunny and spectacular racing on the iconic flood irrigated circuit.

In the UK, Pitchup.com supported a successful campaign to extend permitted development rights allowing change of use of land for camping. This small change to planning rules facilitated the opening of 1,000 pop-up campsites across the country over the summer season, primarily at farms, and helped over 300,000 holidaymakers book a much-needed break in the outdoors.

Lynne Mowbray. The last couple of years have proved to be a trying time for anyone attempting to hold an event and organisers of the 117th Maclean Highland Gathering, were keen to make this year’s event, a great one. Maclean Highland Gathering Chief Peter Smith said that they were expecting a particularly good gathering this year and it did not disappoint.

Ryan Enns. There is a collective trauma being lived by Bluesfesters and the result is that nobody believed it was going to happen this year because to believe would be to make yourself vulnerable to another disappointment. Well, it did happen and every minute felt like a miracle and every artist erupted with music and love like they’d been holding it in for three years.

This year his year will be a big one for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, with 54km of the planned 130km set to become a reality ... A car-free pedestrian connection for locals and tourists alike, the Rail Trail will be used for all active eco transport and recreation, including walking, running, bikes, riding, mobility scooters, prams, and multi-day adventures.

The Harcourt Produce and General Store serves delicious coffee, freshly baked pies, pastries and salads using fresh herbs and vegetables from the spectacular garden out the back.

There was a great turnout to Muckleford’s Annual Vintage Engine Rally last weekend. Engine enthusiasts were treated to displays of vintage engines, model engines and other memorabilia.

"I am thrilled to welcome everyone to the Narrandera Rod Run Weekend, a premier event of the Shire for an impressive 38 years. Each year over the Easter weekend, residents, visitors and motor enthusiasts alike, have the opportunity to celebrate and immerse themselves in early model autos and custom built hot rods": Cr Neville Kschenka, Narrandera Mayor.

Fast becoming a Cape York icon, Lakeland’s Gateway to the Cape was officially opened on Friday ... Now complete, it boasts comprehensive visitor information, as well as a sculpture park that showcases each community in the region.

Cape York residents can breathe a sigh of relief after the cheap flights scheme was sewn up, with some positive changes ... One-way fares will be allowed, while the eligibility criteria has been changed for all communities – except Weipa.

A feeling of excitement and magic fills the air in Maldon each Easter, transporting residents and visitors back to childhood. Is the cause the twinkling lights atop Mount Tarrengower Tower, which local children believe to be the Easter Bunny’s home? Or simply the excitement and joy of children, who wait in anticipation for the arrival of the fluffy, bouncing creature bringing a delivery of chocolate eggs? Either way, the Maldon Easter Fair is an event not to be missed.

Local artists Sally Anderson and Kerry Punton are displaying their beautiful works of art at Harcourt General Store. The theme, contemporary chinoiserie, examines the 17th and 18th-century western style of interior design that represents fanciful European Interpretations of Chinese styles.

Alison Bennett Taylor. Waterways producer/director Nari Lees says everyone has a story to tell about their connection to Denmark’s waterways – the river, the inlet and the sea. She hopes to capture as many of them on film as she can during the still days of autumn. Waterways, Love Stories of Place, will share stories of connection to place through an interactive walk featuring QR codes that link directly to the recordings.

Two public meetings will be held on April 12 and April 19 to discuss the implications of a mining exploration licence application ... Bart Lebbing said the Denmark shire relied on primary production, nature-based tourism, education, art and craft enterprises, viticulture and the service industry. “Mineral exploration and mining do not value-add to these sectors, but compromise their viability,” he said.

Ali Bohn. Kerang retailers eagerly await the arrival of tourists at Easter and school holidays which is always the busiest time of year for visitors. Both retail and hospitality have taken a beating these last couple of years as we know, but that has been felt even harder in the country. However, if there is one thing they have learned through the experience it is resilience, and during these holidays, they are excited about the events attracting people back to the area.

Jetstar has commenced the first-ever commercial air service between Melbourne and Busselton, opening a new gateway into Western Australia that is set to boost the local tourism industry by allowing interstate visitors to fly directly to the South-West.

The April school holidays are almost here, and with it brings the return of the Critter Trail on Chapman: an interactive experience for young detectives. Coordinated by the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery (GRAG), the Critter Trail is a series of art pieces along the CBD portion of Chapman Road depicting critters that have ‘borrowed’ art from the City’s Collection.

Racegoers were treated to a wonderful day of perfect weather and family fun. We had Country Racing Icon, Col Hodges calling the race, our grounds were beautiful and green, the race track carefully maintained and our new under cover betting area further improved our annual Tulli Race Meet.

Congratulations to David Berkman and the team of Rockfest for putting on a great show for the Island this year.