Tourism

This item was mean to be Kookaburra's Post-Budget report, but given the costs and inconveniences of regional air travel in Australia, it is now a Pre-Budget complaint. Not being a government supported Mandarin - merely a lowly citizen - Kookaburra decided that no rational person could agree to pay the fares demanded by QANTAS to fly from Bendigo to Canberra.

Maldon will host the inaugural Goldfields Gothic Festival of Dark Ideas this July. As part of the town’s annual Maldon in Winter series, the new festival celebrates the dark side of the goldfields with performances, tours, themed food experiences, conversations on dark topics and a range of strange and unforgettable happenings sure to surprise, delight, incite and excite you.

Patricia Gill. Sumer Addy started her job as chief executive at the Denmark Chamber of Commerce in 2020 in what she describes as a baptism of fire. ... Sumer leaves the Chamber at the end of April to take up a consultancy job with the economic and community development partner consultancy, Rural and Regional Economic Solutions.

Jo and Don Hearn from Restdown Winery and Jungle Lane Beef Co and their business were recently recognised as part of Tourism Australia’s new international marketing campaign on sustainable tourism, and Tourism NSW has also included them in the top 10 things to do along the Murray River, alongside the iconic Mungo National Park.

A former Narrandera resident who now lives in the tourist town of Noosa wants to alert Narrandera residents to a project she believes will have a negative impact on tourism in Narrandera– the proposed skywalk which will extend over and above Lake Talbot .... The preliminary design for the skywalk at Lake Talbot has been completed by Teleo Design and put out for public feedback by the Narrandera Shire Council by April 15 with intentions to start building it in July this year and complete the project by December.

For two years, the Casino Truck Show was cancelled because of covid restrictions and the gathering of crowds. But the trucks are back this year. The event will be held on Saturday, August 6, coordinated by Richmond Valley Council with support from the North Coast Petroleum  Casino Truck Show Organising Committee.

Two new marine parks have been established at Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean, home to life found nowhere else on earth. Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the spectacular seascapes cover 744,000 square kilometres, an area greater in size than the Great Barrier Reef.

Calling all foodies and culinary experts! From July 29 to August 7, local restaurants, farms, tourism and event operators will throw open their doors as part of The Curated Plate culinary festival, and offer the best of the Sunshine Coast’s local food and beverage experiences across a 10-day period.

Warren Chamber Music Festival's Education Week takes place 3-7 May 2022 in Warren.  Education Week aims to create an immersive and inspiring environment, providing no less than 12 opportunities for music making and learning.

When the Maldon Historic Bakery business went up for sale last month, landlords Mark and Valentina Tansley decided to do some research into the bakery’s history. “We know that the bakery was established on this site in 1854 and that the wood-fired brick scotch oven is one of the oldest brick buildings in town,” said Valentina.

Steve Cole. The Peter Turner memorial Show and Shine will allow the Guildford Grumpies Car Club Inc. and visitors to pay their respects to their cherished former President. The Show and Shine will feature a huge range of veteran and vintage cars and motorbikes, along with an array of community stalls, live bands, displays and raffles ... at John Powell Reserve in Guildford on Sunday 27 March.

Gabrielle Duykers. A unique piece of artwork showcasing the natural features of Kingston has been crowned the best mural in the nation. Commissioned by Kingston District Council in the wake of the Keilira Bushfire, ‘Wind Dance’ received the Gold Award for the Best External Mural at the 2021 Australian Street Art Awards announced last week. In a collective statement, the judges said the mural was vibrant, creative and would entice visitors to explore more of the region.

Kendall Jennings. The Wakool Show once again entertained locals on Saturday, March 12, an iconic rural agricultural show that has continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting community spirit in an area that has suffered from drought and water restrictions.

Again, a successful northern Victorian Triple Golfanza held at Cohuna on Saturday, Barham on Sunday and Kerang on Monday, over the Labour Day long weekend. This was the 49th edition of the Triple Golfanza with plans for a big 50th anniversary next year. All the courses were in great shape and near capacity fields at each venue with 133 at Cohuna, 160 at Barham and 130 at Kerang.

The Clarence Valley will welcome Stuart Easton, one of the worlds leading exponents of the Great Highland Bagpipe and the finest New Zealand piper of his generation, to the 117th Maclean Highland Gathering on April 15 and 16 ... He has been a prolific prizewinner throughout his homeland, Australia, France and Scotland.

Record breaking fuel prices are already starting to have an impact on Cape York residents and businesses but there are concerns the real pain will be felt during the tourist season ... “If these prices stay this high then I’m sure there will be many people reconsidering their travel plans. And if they do still travel, they are likely to have less money to spend on tours, souvenirs and eating out": Dave Donald, Western Cape Chamber of Commerce VP.

An online forum of 90 local government Mayors, Councillors, Chief Executive Officers, key staff, Co-Patrons The Hon Denis Napthine AO and The Hon John Brumby AO, as well as representatives from regional tourism bodies and Heritage Victoria have heard how the bid will serve as a catalyst to transform the region, delivering a crucial post-pandemic economic lifeline to the Central Victorian Goldfields region.

Chris Oldfield. Bouncing into life across 45 acres of lush grass, the 42nd SE Field Days at Lucindale will boast at least 450 exhibitors this year, on March 18 and 19.

The Victorian Goldfields Railway (VGR) is in for a bumper year with the ever popular steam train back on the tracks. Visitors are catching up on missed rides, celebrating delayed birthdays and experiencing riding beside the driver. Bookings are almost sold out for the incredibly popular Ales on Rails and Murder on the Orient Express. Tickets are still available in May for a ride on Victorian Colonial Express; one of Victoria’s oldest railway carriages dating back to the 1880s.

Michael McCartney. This year’s Maldon Classic was a great success for the town. The two-day event, prior to the long weekend, ran as a fundraiser for the Maldon Hospital. Visitors travelled from all parts of Victoria and interstate.

This year’s Rockin' on East Festival is set to be bigger and better to make amends for the last two events being cancelled due to COVID. It will be like a scene from yesteryear when rock and roll bands and dancers, dressed in 1950s attire, descend on Narrandera to create a fun, family event scheduled for the October long weekend.

Narrandera will be the starting point for a re-enactment of the 131st celebrations of the Riverina Light Horse Association on the last weekend in March. Riders will mark the occasion by taking their mounts in a trek from Narrandera to Wagga to raise funds for a bronze statue.