eNews 20 August 2019 - Tourism Planning Underway
FROM THE DESK OF CHDC'S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
It has been a busy few weeks away from the tourism desk, as I have been out and about out west catching up with staff from the tourism desks out there.
Dig the Tropic, a geo trail drive route from Yeppoon all the way out to Boulia, has been identified by the Central Highlands Tourism Strategy Groups as a key focus over the coming months. There is a lot of enthusiasm from all the participating regions to see this trail reinvigorated and receive more promotion.
We have also had Linda Tillman and Jayne Jennings from The Tilma Group visit our region for four days last week as they assist us with developing our Tourism Activation Plan for the next three years. The Tilma Group is a leader in its field of consulting and developing tourism strategies, specialising in regional tourism and events development. The main aim of this plan is to achieve key initiatives that will drive tourism and collaboration with events across the Central Highlands region. We are in the early stages of this plan, with the aim to have it ready to go for the start of 2020 to 2023.
The consultation week kicked off early on Monday, with Jayne and Linda flying in from Brisbane. The pair then met up with the CHDC crew before embarking on an Emerald Town Tour with Jody from the Visitor Information Centre. The first of the formal consultations began with some of Emerald's finest hotel / motel and business operators giving Linda and Jayne their thoughts on the challenges, opportunities and successes of tourism in Emerald.
The following days' itineraries were jam packed as Linda and Jayne experienced some of the best tourism experiences within our region, chatting with all the operators along the way. Here is a list of the highlights as Jayne headed south with CHDC's Matt McIntyre:
- Spectacular sunset at Lake Maraboon
- Redclaw pizza and other fine
offerings from Lake Maraboon Holiday Village
Springsure and Minerva Hills National Park and a tour from Indigenous Tour Guide and Artist Daryl Black - Coffee from Rolleston Coffee Cart
- Happy Hour and dinner at Takarakka, Carnarvon Gorge
- Night Glider Tour with Australia Nature Guides
- Camping out in Takka Tents
- Carnarvon Gorge Walk
- Heli Central Helicopter Flight over Molyeamber Gorge
- Another chilly night in the Takka Tents before an early morning drive back to Emerald, meeting up with Tourism Strategy Groups and Council staff
Whilst Matt and Jayne were "roughing it" at Carnarvon Gorge, Linda and I caught up with the best tourism experiences around Blackwater and the Gemfields, including:
- Coal mine tour and visit Blackwater International Coal Centre
- Blackdown Tableland tour and walk down into Rainbow Falls.
- Back to Emerald for dinner
- Coffee and consultation at the Anakie Crossroads' Brewstar Coffee Cart.
- Pats Gems Gemfields Tour
- Miners Heritage underground mine tour
- Rubyvale Gem Gallery
- Dinner at New Royal Hotel, Rubyvale
- Morning Walk of Rubyvale Flats and then onto Capella before meeting up with Tourism Strategy Groups and Council staff
After all the discussions and note-taking, the hard work now begins as CHDC, The Tilma Group, and Tourism Strategy Groups put together the aims, ambitions, direction and ultimately our Tourism and Events Activation Plan for the coming years.
If anyone would like to have any input, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
For more information or a catch-up, contact Tourism Development Coordinator Paul Thompson E: pthompson@chdc.com.au or T: (07) 4982 4386.
The Tilma Group's Linda Tillman on tour at Miners Heritage.
The Tilma Group's Linda Tillman carrying out consultation and engagement at Anakie Crossroads' Brewstar Coffee Cart, Gemfields.
The Tilma Group's Linda Tillman and Jayne Jennings hold discussions with the Central Highlands Tourism Strategy Group after touring the region.