No Images? Click here NSW GOVERNMENT FLOOD RECOVERY SUPPORT PROGRAM HELPS INCREASE VISITOR NUMBERSTravel to the Northern Rivers region is on the rise thanks to the NSW Government’s Flood Recovery Support Program. Data from HotelsCombined.com.au shows the region has averaged 22 per cent growth per month since June 2017, with tourism in August reaching a similar level as the peak period in January. HotelsCombined partnered with National Geographic and Destination NSW, as part of the NSW Government’s North Coast Flood Recovery Support Program, to help drive overnight tourism in the area following the March floods. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “The March floods took an enormous toll, and after the tireless work of the local community, the North Coast is back on its feet and it’s great to have the opportunity to promote some of the region’s best attractions with key industry partners such as HotelsCombined and National Geographic.” Destination North Coast was a key partner in the campaign. For more to see and do in the Northern Rivers, go to Visitnsw.com. HUGE CROWDS EXPECTED FOR RUGBY 7SThe HSBC Sydney 7s will be returning to the Harbour City in 2018, with capacity crowds expected at Allianz Stadium for the Australia Day weekend event. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “The Sydney 7s has been secured by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. “The 2017 event provided a huge boost to the local visitor economy, attracting more than 8,700 domestic and international overnight visitors to NSW, with a total visitor spend of over $6 million.” Tickets are on sale now. COFFS TO HOST MAJOR AFL EVENTThe AFL Masters National Carnival will return to NSW next year for the first time since 2008, when Coffs Harbour welcomes more than 800 AFL players for the eight-day event. The tournament, secured for the region by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, includes both a men’s and women’s competition, and is the largest mass participation event for AFL players aged 35 years and over. Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser said the event would bring significant economic benefit to the region. “The AFL Masters National Carnival will attract around 1,200 players, officials and supporters to Coffs Harbour and contribute around $2.7 million to the local visitor economy,” Mr Fraser said. The Carnival will run from 30 September to 6 October 2018. NEW GREG NORMAN-DESIGNED GOLF COURSENSW’s Illawarra region is set to become Australia's newest premier golf destination, with the construction of a new Greg Norman-designed and built golf course now underway by Silkari. The golf resort gained planning approval in 2011, but a new grander $1.2 billion development plan has now been unveiled for the 556-hectare, near Wollongong. Subject to planning approval, the development, Silkari Resort at Avondale, will include an Australian-first Greg Norman Golf Academy, a 290-room hotel, two spa lodges, a tennis and recreation centre, a sports academy and a residential housing development of 395 homes, overlooking the golf course. The golf course aims to be completed in late 2019, and pending council approval, the first stage of the residential development will go on sale in 2018. Image: Artist impression of the new golf course. SUPERBOATS ROAR ONTO LAKE MACQUARIEThe fourth round of the 2017 Offshore Superboat Championships comes to Lake Macquarie this weekend. The event, which consists of five rounds, will be broadcast nationally on SBS and Fox Sports as well as internationally, and is Australia’s national series for Powerboat racing. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “Growing tourism in rural and regional NSW is a top priority, and our continued support for regional events provides the perfect opportunity to promote the many wonderful destinations across the State, such as Lake Macquarie.” For more information on the Offshore Superboat Championships visit superboat.com.au. Photo credit: Symon Walpole; Lake Macquarie Tourism. 2017 ARIA AWARDS NOMINATIONSWith just seven weeks to go, Australia’s premier music event, the ARIA Awards, announced its nominations this week. The ARIA Awards have been secured by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW. A highlight of the nominations announcement was 1997 ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, Paul Kelly, who has received two Artisan ARIA Awards for Engineer of the Year and Best Cover Art, as well as seven nominations. It was also an exciting day for Sydney’s Gang of Youths with eight nominations for Apple Music Album of the Year, Best Group, Best Rock Album, Best Video, Best Australian Live Act, Producer of the Year, Engineer of the Year and Best Cover Art. Other nominees included Australian hip hop duo A.B Original, singer Jessica Mauboy and jazz musician James Morrison. The winners will be revealed at The Star Event Centre, Sydney on Tuesday 28 November, and will be broadcast around Australia on the Nine Network. Find out more at ariaawards.com.au. HOW TO BE PART OF VIVID SYDNEY 2018Vivid Sydney is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from individuals and organisations to participate in the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “The Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2018 and is set to be another spectacular display of art, technology and innovation. It’s undoubtedly a grand platform for artists, musicians, creative professionals, educators and businesses to showcase their expertise to local and international audiences, and I encourage everyone to submit their Expression of Interest and be part of this exceptional event.” Vivid Sydney brings together leading global creative innovators for 23 days, and this year attracted a record 2.33 million attendees from around the world. The event is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, and will be held from Friday 25 May to Saturday 16 June 2018. To register your interest, visit vividsydney.com/eoi2018. Applications close at 5pm AEDT on Tuesday 7 November 2017. EUROPEAN PRODUCT WORKSHOP 2018Registrations to attend the Tourism Australia and Tourism New Zealand European Product Workshop (EPW) are now open. EPW will be held from Sellers will meet key buyers from the UK and Europe during the three-day event. NSW TOURISM AWARDS TICKETSThe NSW Tourism Awards is heading to the International Convention Centre Sydney for the annual presentation night on 16 November. Join the celebration with 100 finalists! CHEERS TO ORANGE WINE FESTIVALThis weekend, Orange will begin a 10-day celebration of the cool-climate wines that have made the area a must-visit wine region. The Orange Wine Festival has more than 90 events including masterclasses, tastings, dinners and workshops. There is also the popular Orange Wine Tasting Show, Wine in the Vines, Vino Express, the Festival Night Market, a Riesling Retrospective, and much more. GO WILD IN THE HIGHLANDSVisitors to the Southern Highlands can get back to nature at WILDfest, a three-day festival celebrating the natural world, on the weekend of 27 to 29 October. Staying on a rural property, you will sleep under the stars in luxury glamping tents, hike and bike and enjoy a massage at the bush spa. At the Wild Native Feast, you'll eat a seven-course dinner, while sporting top hats and tiaras, in a native bush wonderland. GET 'STUFFED' AT MTV BEATS & EATSThe line-up of food offerings for this year’s MTV Beats & Eats Festival in Wollongong has been announced. Get ready to fill your tummies with an event-exclusive Moonman burger from BL Burger, pizza and deep-fried lasagne from Happy As Larry and Texan-style bbq from Black Bear BBQ. There will also be sweet treats from Doughnut Time, and caffeine hits via coffee in a cone from Sherri and Candi’s Milk Bar. Yum! IT'S TIME FOR SCULPTUREOne of Sydney’s most iconic coastal paths becomes the backdrop to the world’s biggest free art exhibition when Sculpture by the Sea opens next Thursday, between Bondi and Tamarama. Now in its 21st year, the exhibition will feature 100 sculptures by Australian and international artists. Art lovers can also attend an Aqualand Artist Talk for a chance to meet the artists and find out more about their work, and much more. |