No Images? Click here NSW NUMBER ONE FOR ABORIGINAL TOURISMNSW has overtaken QLD as the most popular Australian state for international visitors to experience Aboriginal tourism. Visitor participation grew by 62 per cent in the year ending March 2017, with more than 332,000 international travellers to NSW taking part in an Aboriginal cultural experience. The figures were announced during NAIDOC week by the NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall and the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell. “NSW is home to Australia’s largest Aboriginal population represented by many different tribal groups each with a unique story to tell. We know that with the right product offering and marketing, we can attract a significant audience to enjoy and learn from Aboriginal tourism experiences,” Mr Marshall said. Seeing Aboriginal art, craft or cultural displays were the top experiences during the year. Also popular were Indigenous dance or theatre performances, and visiting Aboriginal galleries. Minister Mitchell said, “It gives me great pleasure to see our State’s Aboriginal owned and operated businesses experiencing more bookings and providing more opportunities for visitors to engage with Aboriginal people and experience their culture.” Click here to find out more. Image: Aboriginal Heritage Tour at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. PORT OF EDEN GETS $44 MILLION UPGRADETourism to Eden and its surrounding regions is set to get a major boost following the NSW Government’s announcement of a $44 million upgrade of wharf facilities. The new wharf will improve visitor access, enabling Eden and the South Coast to welcome more cruise passengers than ever before. Larger vessels of up to 325 metres will be able to berth, and the Port’s capacity to receive cruise ships will increase to around 40 to 60 per year. Member for Bega Andrew Constance said the upgrade would substantially increase the 20,000 cruise ship visitors who arrived in Eden last financial year. “The Port of Eden is equidistant between Sydney and Melbourne, located approximately 40 kilometres from the NSW and VIC borders. It is the third deepest natural harbour in the Southern Hemisphere, making it ideal for large vessels,” Mr Constance said. The project has been jointly funded by all levels of government and is expected to be completed in 2019. Click here for more information. Image courtesy of Cruise Eden MATILDAS TO FACE BRAZIL IN NSWNSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres this week announced NSW will host a two-match international football series between the Matildas and Brazil this September. The Matildas will play Brazil at Pepper Stadium in Penrith on Saturday, 16 September, with a second match to follow on Tuesday, 19 September at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. The two-match series has been secured by Destination NSW as part of its five-year partnership with Football Federation Australia. “The Matildas are our premier women’s football team and this is a fantastic opportunity for fans to witness them showcase their skills in Penrith and Newcastle,” Mr Ayres said. Click here to buy tickets. Image: Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres with Matildas player Emily van Egmond and Newcastle Mayor Nuatali Nelmes. PACKAGES ON SALE FOR BROKEN HEEL FESTIVALThe Outback city of Broken Hill will host the third annual Broken Heel Festival this September to celebrate the starring role the NSW town played in the iconic Australian film Priscilla Queen of the Desert. To help showcase the area, Tri State Safaris will run two special tours for adventure seekers visiting the heritage city for the colourful event. Visitors can choose from a one-night package encompassing Broken Hill and the nearby ghost town of Silverton (also featured on the set of Mad Max) or a four-night package, including a two-night 4WD desert tour and a three-day pass to the Broken Heel festivities. The Broken Heel Festival will take place from 8-10 September 2017, offering visitors a fun-filled long weekend of drag, divas, disco and fun. Click here to book. MOREE GALLERY SHOWCASES POPULAR AUSTRALIAN ARTISTSTwo highly regarded Australian artists are shining a light on the town of Moree with two new exhibitions set to attract visitors to rural NSW. Sally Campbell’s eclectic collection of handcrafted textiles has enjoyed national acclaim since its inception in 2005, and now the Moree community is lucky enough to welcome Sally and her wares during a special exhibition at the Moree Gallery this month. Collaborating with regional Indian artisans, all pieces are either hand-dyed, hand-stitched, hand-woven or hand block-printed, adding to their unique appeal. Also exhibiting will be Sarah McDonald, whose work was recently selected as a finalist painting in the Pro Hart Broken Hill Outback Art Prize.Sarah uses oils to create her work, layer by layer, reproducing colours, patterns and textures while balancing lines, shapes and composition. To plan your trip, go to Visitnsw.com. Image: 'Dahlias' by Sarah McDonald. WINTER ONE-DAY JAMBOREE AT MOUNT KEIRAVisitors to the Illawarra can escape the daily grind with a creative retreat in Wollongong. The Winter One Day Jamboree Program will feature artist-led workshops in nature photography, botanical watercolours, screen printing and more. Participants will also be treated to a delicious lunch featuring fresh local produce, morning and afternoon teas, open indoor and outdoor fires, and friendly company. The 29 July retreat will take place in the beautiful forest surrounds of Mount Keira, just outside the city, where visitors will find the rustic setting of the local scout camp, complete with a cosy lodge, roaring fire, lyrebirds prancing, bushwalk trails and an awe inspiring location. Click here for more information. POTTS POINT WELCOMES NEW BOUTIQUE HOTELSydney’s newest inner-city boutique hotel, Spicers Potts Point, has opened its doors on Victoria Street. Set in a trio of terrace houses dating back to 1873, the hotel offers 20 luxury rooms that blend art deco design with modern architecture. Guests can expect to be taken on a journey of the building’s history and surrounds, while enjoying refined accommodation that allows for expansive rooms, a quaint bar in the reception area and a garden courtyard for enjoying breakfast. The hotel provides relaxed inner-city accommodation for travellers, whilst offering convenient access to some of Sydney's best cafes, bars and restaurants. For more information and to book, visit Spicers Retreats. CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES TO OPERATE ICC FERRY SERVICESydney’s new International Convention Centre Sydney will soon have a direct ferry service from Circular Quay. Captain Cook Cruises will commence operating its new fast ferry route between the ICC Sydney, Barangaroo and Circular Quay from mid-July. Under new arrangements announced by the NSW Government, any commercial operator can now provide direct services to Convention Wharf and services between Manly and Darling Harbour without needing a passenger service contract with Transport for NSW. NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said, “This offers commuters and visitors the greatest possible range of transport options around the iconic Sydney Harbour.” Click here for more information. SNOWY MOUNTAINS SHINE ON WORLD STAGE A Snowy Mountains company has been judged producer of the best tasting sparkling water in the world. The International Fine Water Tasting Competition in China judged 104 entries from around the globe, with Beloka Water winning gold in the Sparkling Added Carbonation category. The Snowy Mountain’s pristine environment and varied typography is creating some of the finest produce in Australia for visitors to enjoy, and a growing calendar of major events is also attracting visitors to the region. NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER FOR GUANGZHOU Destination NSW has announced the appointment of Ms Christine Tang, the first Business Development Manager for the newly opened Guangzhou office in Southern China. Ms Tang will be responsible for building Destination NSW’s relationships with key travel trade partners, wholesalers, retailers, airlines and online agents to increase the awareness and sales of NSW tourism destinations and products in Southern China. Ms Tang will commence in the role on 3 July. IHG EXPANDS IN REGIONAL NSW Two popular conference venues in regional NSW have been brought under the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) brand. The former Sebel Resort & Spa Hawkesbury Valley will from this week operate as the Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley. Also joining the IHG family is Kirkton Park Hunter Valley, a popular venue for corporate retreats. Just a short drive from Sydney, both properties offer world-class accommodation and impressive meeting facilities.
|