No Images? Click here
MORE VISITORS TO LOVE THE LAKE FOR LONGER
Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake and much-loved holiday destination Lake Macquarie is set to benefit from a new $200,000 marketing campaign launched earlier this week by Destination NSW and Lake Macquarie City Council.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the Love the Lake campaign was jointly funded through the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Fund (RTF) and aims to increase visitor numbers and their length of stay by raising awareness of the extensive offering of experiences in the area, particularly during winter.
“Renowned for its natural beauty and adventure, Lake Macquarie is the perfect getaway and the NSW Government is proud to partner with Lake Macquarie City Council to encourage more people visit the area,” Mr Ayres said.
“Within the Lake Macquarie LGA there were 1.3 million international and domestic overnight and day trip visitors who stayed 1.3 million nights (up 60 per cent) and spent $213 million (up 19 per cent) in the year ending December 2018.
“Research shows that 71 per cent of visitation to Lake Macquarie is from domestic day trippers mainly during the summer, spring and autumn seasons.
“Through this new campaign we’re inviting people to stay longer, consider the region in winter and take advantage of the full range of activities on offer.”
The Regional Tourism Fund provides investment into the regional visitor economy on a matched dollar-for-dollar basis and is part of the NSW Government’s record $43 million funding aimed at increasing overnight visitation and expenditure across rural and regional communities.
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE SAILS TO DANCE WITH LOCAL FLORA DURING VIVID
Chinese-American artist Andrew Thomas Huang will showcase five Australian floral gems, including the New South Wales Waratah, on the Sails of the Sydney Opera House during Vivid Sydney.
LA-based artist Huang’s site-specific artwork, Austral Flora Ballet, will animate the World-Heritage Sails with a lush homage to Australia’s native flora and the intersection of human movement with nature.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Lighting of the Sails is a hallmark of Vivid Sydney each year.
“Vivid Sydney attracts millions of people to the Harbour City in Winter, and international guests and locals alike are always moved by the grandeur and beauty of the unique projections on the Sails of the Sydney Opera House,” Mr Ayres said.
“This year we are excited to see the work of experimental filmmaker and animator Andrew Thomas Huang - Austral Flora Ballet – which will combine bodies, objects and nature in a dynamic, metamorphic design.
“In 2018 Vivid Sydney welcomed 2.25 million visitors, who generated almost $173 million in tourism related expenditure for NSW, while the reach of the festival through traditional and social media is enormous. There’s no doubt we’ll see Austral Flora Ballet shared worldwide in 2019.”
Vivid Sydney will take place from Friday 24 May to Saturday 15 June in Sydney. See the full program.
EXTEND THE WEEKEND IN ORANGE
Orange is already a favourite destination for many established travellers but the region’s latest marketing campaign looks to inspire a younger emerging crowd of under 35s to visit and explore their sense of adventure while sampling the finer things on offer.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said that a $262,000 marketing campaign, made possible by dollar for dollar matched funding through the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Fund, kicks off yesterday in a partnership between Destination NSW, Orange360 and Orange City Council.
“The Extend the weekend campaign aims to drive awareness of the Orange region and stimulate demand for overnight visits and increased lengths of stay, by encouraging under 35 year olds to visit during the winter and spring months,” Mr Ayres said.
"Orange is home to stunning tree-lined streets, heritage houses, small bars and cellar doors, unique music venues, mountain bike trails, boutique shopping and farmers markets."
“We have been working very closely with local industry representatives to ensure this campaign explores the essence of the local offering in Orange and showcases a range of experiences that may not fit the usual expectations of the town,” Mr Ayres said.
View the video here.
WINGS OVER ILLAWARRA TAKES OFF THIS WEEKEND
Australia’s largest annual airshow is once again taking to the skies this weekend. Wings Over Illawarra will feature 13 Australian Defence Force aircraft and 27 civilian aircraft at Illawarra Regional Airport at this year’s event. Both days will include classic warbirds conducting aerobatic manoeuvres culminating with the now famed ‘Wall of Fire’, starring the Hawk 127 jet.
In a first for the event, there will be a handling display by transport aircraft the C-17 Globemaster III, C-27J Spartan and the C-130J Hercules. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will be giving a sneak peek of the new Pilatus PC-21s.
For adrenalin junkies, the flying program will feature a stellar line-up of the country’s best daredevil pilots, including Red Bull air-racer Matt Hall, Paul Bennet and the Sky Aces, Mark Pracy, the Russian Roolettes and Wollongong’s Chris Clark in his PT-17 Boeing Stearman.
Wings Over Illawarra will also include plenty of entertainment and action on the ground, such as a free carnival, a beer garden and bar and an abundance of food outlets.
The event is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Gates open tomorrow at 9am, and tickets can be purchased at wingsoverillawarra.com.au
Photo credit: TLP Images
WORLD PREMIERE OF PALM BEACH MOVIE TO OPEN SFF
The world premiere of Australian film Palm Beach will feature as the Opening Night Film of this year’s Sydney Film Festival. Directed by Rachel Ward, the uplifting drama/comedy features an all-star cast of Australian screen legends, including Golden Globe-nominated icons Bryan Brown, Sam Neill, Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant, Greta Scacchi, Jacqueline McKenzie and Heather Mitchell.
Set at Sydney’s spectacular Palm Beach, the film follows lifelong friends who gather to celebrate a milestone birthday, only for tension to mount when new and old resentments arise, along with the threat of an old secret coming to light.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney said the film, which received funding and assistance from Create NSW and Destination NSW, would profile NSW has a world-class destination to visit.
“Palm Beach captures the sheer beauty of NSW’s beloved northern beaches, while celebrating the creative excellence of the State,” Mr Ayres said.
Palm Beach will premiere at the State Theatre on 5 June, with the 66th Sydney Film Festival running until 16 June. Sydney Film Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and Destination NSW.
Buy tickets here.
ECO-CONSCIOUS VILLAS OPEN ON NSW NORTH COAST
A new premium environmentally-friendly villa precinct has opened on the NSW North Coast at Evans Head. The villas took 57 bookings over the April School Holidays, and were fully booked over Anzac Day and the Easter long weekend.
Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis MP joined Reflections Holiday Parks to celebrate the completion of the new villas, and said investments into parks like Evans Head supported regional tourism and significantly benefitted local economies.
“The sensitive, sustainable cabin designs really lift holiday park accommodation to the next level and show respect for the incredibly pristine natural environments throughout regional NSW,” Mr Gulaptis said.
Destination NSW Chair John Warn was also present to celebrate the opening.
The Reflections Holiday Parks group has also recently completed a new cabin precinct at Clarkes Beach in Byron Bay – with both projects part of an $8.9 million cabin upgrade project, substantially funded by the NSW Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program (CRIFP).
The 13 new cabins at Evans Head are environmentally-sensitive which combine solar, Tesla batteries and use of recycled timbers. To book, visit reflectionsholidayparks.com.au
WINTER JUST AS UNSPOILT AS SUMMER
The latest iteration of South Coast NSW’s Unspoilt marketing campaign, made possible by NSW Government funding, launched earlier this week and is set to showcase why the region is also a perfect winter destination by exploring its many year-round virtues.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government, via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, had contributed $310,000 to promote the region through its Regional Tourism Fund, resulting in a total campaign budget of $620,000.
Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said the 2019 campaign follows a successful 2018 Unspoilt campaign. “Last year’s campaign exceeded targets to deliver 1,160,924 website visits to visitnsw.com and 474,660 leads directly to industry operators,” Ms Chipchase said.
LGNSW LOOKING FOR 2020 CONFERENCE HOST
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) is inviting councils to submit expressions of interest to host the 16th LGNSW Tourism Conference, which will be held the week of Sunday 15 March 2020.
The conference venue must be able to seat at least 200 people, preferably in classroom style, and able to provide catering on-site for morning tea. All venues must also be accessible venues and where possible, should allow for hearing and sight impairment.
Expressions of Interest close Friday 24 May 2019, and will be evaluated by latest Monday 10 June 2019.
For further details about Hosting Requirements and how to submit an EOI, please click here.
CARAVAN CAMPING SHOW PARADISE FOR ADVENTURERS
Outdoor adventurers should head to Rosehill Racecourse for the State’s biggest annual showcase of all things caravanning and camping.
The Caravan Camping Holiday Supershow is currently underway, and features more than 300 exhibitors with a vast array of outdoor products, including all the latest model motorhomes, campervans, caravans and camper trailers.
The event also features plenty of free entertainment including live cooking demonstrations with celebrity chef Fast Ed, daily seminars and plenty of food and beverage options.
There are one and two day pass options available, starting from $25 for adults. The Supershow closes this Sunday 5 May. More information and tickets at supershow.com.au.
STEP BACK IN TIME AT HERITAGE TRADES TRAIL
Now is your chance to learn about the trades and traditions that have helped shape the NSW Central West.
The third annual Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail is back on 18 and 19 May, with 100 artisans coming together to showcase a vast array of rare trades and crafts including blacksmithing, glass artistry, embroidery, carpentry, cigar box guitar making and violin making.
Aside from demonstrations, there are also many workshops for families to get a hands-on experience in whip cracking, upholstery, pressing and printing and wooden bucket making.
Tickets start at $12 per person for the weekend. Learn more here.
SYDNEYSIDERS TO GET A TASTE OF REGIONAL NSW
With the construction of George Street’s light rail project nearing completion, many of Sydney’s best restaurants are jostling for prime position.
Head downtown to the Sydney Central end of George Street to experience the newly opened Platform 818 Restaurant & Bar, a brand new 200-seat restaurant located within Mercure Sydney. The produce at Platform 818 Restaurant & Bar also has a delicious story to tell, with hero items on the menu sourced from railway towns along the New South Wales goods line that once would have travelled into Sydney’s Central Station via the Goods Line Tunnel. To explore the regional NSW inspired menu, see here.
CELEBRATE MUM WITH A SYDNEY HARBOUR CRUISE
Take your mum on-board a Captain Cook Cruise on Sunday 12 May to celebrate Mother’s Day on spectacular Sydney Harbour.
All Mother’s Day cruises take place aboard flagship vessel the MV Sydney 2000, with three elegant dining decks and an open top deck offering 360-degree views of Sydney Harbour.
On the Mother’s Day Long Lunch Cruise, mum can spend three-and-a-half hours admiring the sights of Sydney Harbour, while feasting on a three course a-la-carte lunch.
Other options are the Sydney Harbour Buffet cruise, the Sunset Dinner cruise or the High Tea at Sea. For more information, visit captaincook.com.au.
