Tourism

Excitement  is building as  Western Australia’s biggest, best and most prestigious junior  surfing tournament prepares for a start next week, with Taj's Small Fries set to  splash down in Yallingup  for the 18th consecutive year. First run in 2006, Taj's Small Fries has become a rite of passage for many of the Australia's best young surfers, launching the careers of numerous surfing stars since it's  inception.

The Kingston District Council has issued a warm welcome to flood impacted visitors and others looking for coastal accommodation during the upcoming school holidays through an extension of its low-cost RV Park. The Park, which will offer up to six (6) nights for just $60 until at least mid-February 2023, is set to use land adjacent the existing area and adjoining Maria Creek, to make way for anticipated visitors who may have otherwise holidayed along the flooding Murray River.

Proposed changes to poker machine gambling in NSW has caused angst amongst ClubsNSW members. The reforms have the support of the NSW Liberal party, the Greens and also independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton.

Anyone who wanders into Narrandera Showground on January 28 and 29 next year will be forgiven for thinking they have stumbled into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. A Weekend With Max Festival, based on the popular Mad Max genre movies will take place over two days.

Last Friday Member for Southern Downs James Lister MP and a group of concerned volunteers and media met at the Gladfield Driver Reviver site which was one of the sites due to be closed by the Department of Main Roads.

Congratulations to Robyn, Jan and the team who have made the Railway a popular meeting and eating place in Allora. A big cheer out to Rhonda and Red who have been with Robyn for the past 15 years. Great stuff!

Sarah Martin. A project telling the story of the first recorded act of reconciliation in Australia has resulted in the Cooktown Museum taking out a major gong at the Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards in Brisbane. The Cooktown Museum, owned and managed by the National Trust of Australia Queensland, was a joint winner for its Reimagining James Cook project, which tells the fascinating story of the Guugu Yimithirr people’s interactions with Cook from both a European and First Nations perspective.

The large number of Darling Downs locals who help make up the throng at Woodfordia for the annual Woodford Folk Festival will notice a touch of luxury has been added for a lucky few this year. Twenty luxury glamping tents with ensuite bathrooms and kitchens have been launched with the help of $1.2 million from the Queensland Government Growing Tourism Infrastructure fund.

Jason Dunemann. Tennant Creek Darts hosted its annual Darrell “Bear” Logue Memorial Golden Nugget Tournament last weekend. The 34th edition of this fabulous tournament brought players from all over the country – 53 men and 20 ladies, including 10 locals, 18 from other parts of the NT and 45 from interstate.

Since its inception, Toowoomba’s Christmas Wonderland has welcomed over one million visitors and has returned over $1.32 million back to the local community through its beneficiaries. This year is its 20th year of bringing the joy of Christmas to the young and young-at-heart across the Toowoomba region.

Eighty-three year-old Narrandera woman Marjory Longford has set the record straight on the origin of an unusual 19th century meat smoker that has been preserved at Griffith’s Pioneer Park Museum ... The smoker is made from a hollow log cemented to the ground and connected to an underground tunnel three metres long, which leads to a firebox smoker ... it came from her grandmother’s farm near Bringagee Station.

Two of the world’s leading palaeontologists along with scientific researchers and educators have gathered to discuss the importance of the Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail in Inverloch ... "It is a true legacy project for Council to be at the forefront of creating a world class tourism experience that celebrates the work of scientists, volunteers and the international significance of polar dinosaurs to the Australian Continent": Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan.

Emma Pritchard. Beneath clear skies and amidst perfect summer conditions at Whiting Beach, 440 competitors put their stamina, strength, and endurance to the test on December 3 and 4, when they participated in the 2022 Yamba Triathlon. A popular local multisport competition which consists of swimming, cycling, and running over various distances, the event attracted triathletes from across the country ...

Plan the trip of a lifetime with expert advice and a full itinerary from Australia's most popular travelling family. In the seven years since the 'Trip In A Van' family set off on their first adventure, they've covered tens of thousands of kilometres and become Australia's most popular travelling family.

Australia's master storyteller takes us all around the country, uncovering tales of unsolved crimes, early exploration and military exploits, fascinating natural phenomena and iconic destinations.

Not long to go now until the fantastic, fun-filled Summerland Giant Pumpkin and Watermelon Festival. Spread the word to family and friends over Christmas. It’s going to be an action-packed day to enjoy for the whole family. Displays of giant pumpkins, watermelons and various other gigantic vegetables.

The South Australian Wooden Boat Festival (SAWBF) will be sailing into new territory for the April 2023 Festival, with Coorong Quays hosting the two-day event at the Alexandrina Cove Lifestyle Village, Hindmarsh Island. This biennial occasion will showcase the finest wooden boats from our region and beyond.

If you love the view from the top of your farm looking out over the surrounding countryside, then let’s hope you are not near the coast or major power lines or in a windy part of Western Australia because the state and federal governments and the men and women with white shoes are quietly pouring over maps looking for sites that will become tomorrow’s wind farms.

Some proactive person has given our local bees a helping hand by constructing a nest in a tree outside the Blue Cow in Herbert Street. A group of tourists was amazed by the unique structure saying how good is this, as they watched the bees buzzing around their modern nesting site.

Emma Pritchard. The Grafton Model Aircraft Club is hosting its annual flying weekend on November 26 and 27, and they are cordially inviting Clarence Valley residents, and visitors in the region, to journey to the Tancreds Lane Flying Field at Clarenza, for two days of spectacular aerobatics and flying demonstrations. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn more about model aircrafts and get up close with some phenomenal displays...

With a new roof and a fresh coat of paint, the historic Old School at Beechmont has a smart new look ... "The Old School is part of the history of Beechmont and will be an important community centre well into the future as a venue for weddings, functions and local events which bring locals together and attract visitors to the region": Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen.