DRIVING THE VISITOR ECONOMY
Natural attractions, such as Carnarvon Gorge, the Sapphire Gemfields, and Blackdown Tableland, are driving this emerging industry for the Central Highlands.
Part of CHDC’s Corporate Strategy is to develop the region as a primary visitor destination.
Contact CHDC Visitor Economy Coordinator Roger John (07) 4982 4386 or rjohn@chdc.com.au.
BRAND STORY
Check out our style guide for Central Queensland Highlands, Explore More, a brand that’s been designed to help you attract more customers and bring more visitors to our region.
It’s filled with logos, a colour palette, and ideas to use for free when promoting your business.
This video series uses the branding and you’re welcome to share or contact rdavies@chdc.com.au to request downloadable files.
VISITOR GUIDE
The 2023/24 version of the free Central Queensland Highlands Visitor Guide is now available.
See it online here or here’s how to get copies for your business:
- If you’re located within the Central Queensland Highlands, call into the Visitor Information Centre in Emerald to collect a box of guides.
- If you’re located outside the region, you can now order directly with Link Logic here.
We’ve also produced a town map for Emerald, mini guides for the Emerald Mosaic Pathway and van Gogh Painting, Emerald CBD Artwork Trail, Lake Maraboon, and Bedford Weir near Blackwater.
Contact emerald@chdc.com.au with any questions.
REGIONAL EVENTS CALENDAR
What’s On Central Queensland Highlands is the official events hub for the region.
It is targeted at both visitors and locals but, just as importantly, it’s also designed to keep tourism operators updated on future events.
The hub helps accommodation and hospitality providers prepare for increased capacity demand, and enable a variety of businesses to collaborate and cross-promote to encourage event visitors to stay longer in the region.
INFORMATION CENTRES + EXPOS
CHDC manages the accredited Central Queensland Highlands Visitor Information Centre in Emerald, which is run by staff with the support of volunteers.
We also have seasonal satellite information centres in Duaringa, Springsure and Blackwater – the three main entry points to our region.
CHDC coordinates a Central Queensland Highlands-branded trade stand at major travel expos each year, including the Caravan and Camping Supershow in Brisbane.
QUEENSLAND COUNTRY
The Central Highlands became a member of the regional tourism organisation (RTO) called Queensland Country Tourism (QCT) in late 2023 – backstory here.
QCT’s new Destination Management Plan is a strategic blueprint for the tourism industry in the Queensland Country geographical footprint, which includes the Central Highlands, in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane.
QCT is one of 13 RTOs across the State that play a role in marketing and developing destinations, and coordinating the efforts of industry, local government and the community to grow tourism.
Queensland Country also encompasses Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley, Southern Downs and Granite Belt, South Burnett, Goondiwindi, Somerset, and Western Downs.
USE OUR PHOTOS
If you need some top-notch local photos for business marketing, a report, or something else, we can help!
CHDC has large bank of stock images from across the Central Queensland Highlands, available to use for free.
To make a request or find out more, contact CHDC’s Projects Officer Rowena Davies rdavies@chdc.com.au.
FIND + FOLLOW US ONLINE
Follow our Instagram page Central Queensland Highlands here.
Follow our Facebook page Central Queensland Highlands here.
You are welcome to share our posts, and please tag us (#explorecqh) so we can share your posts too.
Our website centralqueenslandhighlands.com.au is a key marketing tool for the region and you’re encouraged to use it to promote your business.
To find out more, contact CHDC’s Communications Officer Nicky Fisher nfisher@chdc.com.au.
RV, CARAVAN + CAMPING
CHDC guided the completion of the Central Queensland Highlands Recreational Vehicle (RV), Caravan, and Camping Strategy 2023-32, which charts a course for the coordination, management, and growth of the sector within the region.
The report outlines four key focus areas: capacity, management, tourism product development, and awareness. Within each of these, the Action Plan gives a breakdown of strategies, spanning from immediate to long-term, to guide efforts forward.