A destination to take your breath away

ONE of Australia’s fastest growing, must see destinations is proud to introduce ‘The Tweed Tourism Company’ (TTC) to manage the destination’s marketing, tourism experiences, product development, industry events and visitor information services on behalf of the Tweed region.

The Tweed is located in Northern NSW and offers an abundance of food, art and nature based experiences. The region boosts lush green valleys, majestic mountains, natural river streams and a vast coastline of untouched beaches. With ideal weather, pristine natural environment and a burgeoning arts scene, this is one of Australia’s most desirable travel destinations.

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Picture credit: By Froggydarb at the English language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9592249

Gazing at the stars in Australia

THE southern hemisphere’s first and only Dark Sky Park is in the Warrumbungle region of NSW, #Australia renowned for its breathtaking starry nights. What is a dark sky park? #DarkSkyParks are recognised internationally for their outstanding nocturnal environment and clear, dark skies, says Dr James Gilbert, astronomer and engineer, Australian National University. “These are unspoilt places where anyone can marvel at the universe just by looking up, even without a telescope,” says Dr Gilbert. The Warrumbungle National Park is currently the only Dark Sky Park in the Southern Hemisphere.

For breathtaking views of the galaxy, you can camp under the stars in Warrumbungle National Park at various camping grounds and heritage huts. You can pitch a tent in Balor Hut campground or stay in a historic walkers’ hut. For a more rustic experience, Burbie Camp is a remote bush camping area neighbouring a natural spring with stunning views, while Camp Blackman is a popular base to explore the park and star gaze, well-equipped with hot showers, barbeques and picnic tables. www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au 

Warrumbungle Observatory, 9km from Coonabarabran at the foothills of the Warrumbungle Mountains, holds nightly viewing sessions and astro-photography sessions. www.tenbyobservatory.com 

Milroy Observatory has a popular Night Sky Show and also offers customised tours of all kinds for school groups, universities, senior citizens – even events such as birthdays and wedding proposals. www.milroyobservatory.com.au 

Siding Spring on the edge of the Warrumbungle National Park is a working research observatory with no public stargazing facilities, but they do offer daytime bookable experiences. www.sidingspringobservatory.com.au

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Roaring to life in the Blue Mountains

SCENIC World Blue Mountains is a private, family owned tourist attraction located in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia, about 100 kilometres west of Sydney. 

Their new attraction, Dinosaur Valley has opened, bringing the ancient rainforest to life with prehistoric dinosaurs, daily events and family fun from November 1 – January 28.

Marking the first event of its kind in the Blue Mountains, Dinosaur Valley will take visitors on a journey through time to explore the fascinating world of dinosaurs among towering Jurassic rainforest.

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NSW’s capital city tops Awards

SYDNEY continues to impress international travellers having once again been voted the number one city in The Best Cities in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific category of the 23rd annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. 

According to Travel + Leisure, the largest travel magazine brand in the United States, Sydney’s top ranking is the ultimate confirmation of how well the city is satisfying the most discerning travellers as they explore the world. 

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall welcomed the accolade and said it was a testament to the diverse range of world-class experiences in our beautiful Harbour City and the marketing programs in the USA undertaken by Destination NSW to drive increased visitation.

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Investment for New South Wales

The New South Wales (NSW) Budget 2018 was announced this week with over $290 million to be invested into the State’s visitor economy. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “Tourism is big business and vital to the NSW economy delivering $35.2 billion in visitor spend last year and directly employing 171,100 people across the State.” 

$82 million will be invested to secure and support major sporting, arts and business events across the State, while $54 million will be invested to promote NSW destinations and experiences to domestic and international markets, support tourism operators and secure strategic partnerships with airlines and trade partners. 

$7.5 million will be provided for regional programs to attract more visitors, events and conferences, support industry product development and marketing, and spread visitor economy benefits to more communities.

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Walk over the Pacific Ocean

P&O Cruises is giving Australians the opportunity to experience a thrill-seeking activity of a lifetime with the launch of ‘Walk the Wire’ – the world’s first tightrope walk between two cruise ships as they glide side-by-side on the Pacific Ocean. The safety harness equipped activity involves a 30-metre walk from the top deck of Pacific Aria to sister ship Pacific Eden on a cable stretched 40-metres high above the sea. 

Adrenalin-loving guests can take part in the ultimate balancing act during select cruises in 2019 when the two ships are sailing alongside each other off the coast of New South Wales. The new experience will be available for a select number of guests who pass preliminary tests. Interested participants can visit P&O Cruises’ Australia’s Facebook page and sign up to the Walk the Wire event to receive more information, including how to book. 

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NSW banks billions from international tourism

NSW continues to lead the nation in attracting overseas visitors and the tourist dollar, according to new figures released today by Tourism Research #Australia.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said visitor expenditure in NSW was at an all-time high with record spending fueling the State’s visitor economy.

“A total of 4.1 million people visited NSW from overseas in the past 12 months and they spent a record $10.4 billion during their stay,” Mr Marshall said.“NSW is the first Australian State to ever achieve these numbers.

Rural and regional NSW recorded significant growth in both international visitors and expenditure over the last year, with 832,000 visitors who spent $1.1 billion – a growth of 30 per cent over the last 12 months.

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Verdant vineyards from the sky

ONE of the Hunter Valley’s most popular resort properties, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, is commemorating a very special milestone in style this month, by taking to the skies over the renowned wine region. The sprawling 25-acre Resort is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the launch of its very own hot air balloon, which is flying high to mark the occasion. 

In partnership with Balloon Aloft, the branded Oaks Hotels & Resorts balloon recently made its debut at the annual Hunter Valley Balloon Fiesta, where a kaleidoscope of brightly coloured balloons floated above the Hunter at sunrise, creating a sky-high spectacle for all to see. Following on from the four-day event, the Oaks balloon will now become a permanent addition to Balloon Aloft’s fleet over the next five years, offering Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort guests and other travellers the chance to experience the magic of hot air ballooning for themselves. 

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NSW is Number one again

NEW South Wales has achieved its highest annual growth in the past five years for domestic visitors, nights and expenditure, according to new figures released this week by Tourism Research #Australia. 

The State remains the number one destination for domestic visitors in the country. In the 12 months to June 2017, NSW welcomed 30.1 million domestic visitors, who stayed 97 million nights and spent 7.2 billion in the State’s visitor economy. 

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the latest numbers from the National Visitor Survey revealed a continuation of NSW’s strong tourism growth.

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Rail Renovation Down Under

A group of history-loving train enthusiasts has launched a crowdfunding campaign to bring back an important piece of Australia’s rail history by restoring a 65-year-old train which was once the backbone of NSW passenger travel. The 900-class DEB set was ahead of its time when introduced in the late 1950s and early 60s. 

A team of 30 volunteers is working to restore the historic train back to its former glory. The 900-class restoration team has been working hard to prepare the train for its move from the Hunter region to the Riverina, where the provisions and facilities for the restoration are set up. Head of the restoration project, Ross Jackson, said: “We are keen to get stuck in and return this important piece of NSW heritage back to the iron ribbons. “We are always looking for people with passion and skills to help with the project, from mechanics and electricians to fabric conservation. We’re extremely grateful for all the support given so far and hope that more people will get involved in bringing back a new tourist attraction for NSW.”

Once completed, the train will able to carry 180 passengers for trips across NSW and beyond. The Benefit of the DEB set’s design means that the train will be able to travel to smaller communities that heritage steam trains are unable to reach. The train is air-conditioned with a buffet car and is ideal for rail cruises across the Australian countryside. The affordability of the DEB set also means that hiring the heritage train for events or tours is easy and cost-effective. Ross Jackson said: “We are determined to retrace the old routes the DEB once ran to show the public and NSW railway towns a piece of forgotten history that once connected our rural communities.”

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Sydney voted number one city in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific

SYDNEY'S iconic landmarks, stunning beaches and vibrant food and wine scene have continued to resonate with travellers with the city once again voted the number one city in #Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific at the 22nd annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. 

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase welcomed the accolade and said the US represents an important visitor market for NSW. 

“Travel + Leisure is one of the world’s most prestigious travel and lifestyle magazines with a print circulation of more than 950,000 in the US alone, and I am delighted that they have recognised #Sydney as one of the world’s best cities once again,” Ms Chipchase said. 

In the year ended March 2017, NSW welcomed almost 430,000 overnight visitors from the US who spent $776 million.

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NSW leads for tourism

NEW SOUTH WALES is the number one state in #Australia for total visitor nights, numbers, and expenditure in both the international and domestic stakes, with Regional #NSW far ahead of its rivals in total visitor numbers.

In the year ended December 2015, Regional NSW received 689,700 international visitors who stayed 14 million nights in the state and spent AU$914 million, according to Tourism Research, Australia’s international visitor survey.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres has welcomed this announcement pointing out that NSW was the clear winner in regional tourism within Australia. ‘It’s pleasing to see the whole state benefit from Regional NSW’s thriving visitor economy. Best of all, these figures represent an increase on the previous year ended December 2014, with Regional NSW experiencing 8.5 percent more visitors, 15.1 percent more nights and 30.2 percent more visitor expenditure.’

‘The international appeal of regional NSW destinations including Byron Bay on the north coast and the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains have encouraged significant growth in international visitor numbers, with the unspoilt south coast and the wine producing Riverina region also recording growth from international markets.’

The state also saw increases in the number of domestic holidaymakers.

‘From pristine beaches to snowfields, and rainforests to the awe-inspiring Outback, NSW is Australia’s most geographically diverse state and offers international visitors an experience like no other,’ says Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase. ‘Combine that with a world-class calendar of regional events and you have the complete visitor experience.’


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Follow the Whale Trail

FROM May to November the waters along the New South Wales coastline will see more than 20,000 whales making their annual migration.

The state’s tourism minister Stuart Ayres says: ‘Whale-watching is one of the most popular activities for visitors to Sydney and New South Wales, with more than 237,000 visitors enjoying a whale or dolphin experience in 2015. The state boasts a huge variety of #whale-watching opportunities from islands, lighthouses, look-outs, foreshores, and national parks right along the coast.’

Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase adds: ‘I encourage everyone to take full advantage of this special time of year and go whale-watching in #NSW. Don't miss The Eden Whale Festival which is held on the last weekend of October, celebrating the annual migration and offering visitors the chance to have a close encounter with a whale.’

Where to see the whales:

• Spend a couple of days whale-watching from one of the 1920-1950's eco-certified beach shacks in the Cape Byron Conservation Area.   

• The Central Coast has many whale-watching vantage points.  

• The Pacific Coast's Whale Watching Trail features 71 of the best places to spot a whale between Avoca Beach and Tweed Heads. 

• See whales from the air in Sydney with Blue Sky Helicopters on a 60-minute flight over Botany Bay and Cape Banks, heading north up the coast towards Palm Beach and Broken Bay. 

• Jervis Bay has land- and sea-based whale-watching options. 

• Eden on the Sapphire Coast … where whales stop in the calm waters of Two Fold Bay. 

www.visitnsw.com
www.wildaboutwhales.com.au 

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Picture Credit: www.wildaboutwhales.com.au

Record year for NSW tourism

TOURISM MARKETING campaigns, attractions, and events have pushed international visitor numbers to a record high in New South Wales, with 3.4 million overseas visitors spending A$8.45 billion in 2015. 

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said the figures show the results of the NSW Government's ongoing investment in tourism and major events and the promotion of the state to attract even more international visitors.

“NSW has achieved its highest volumes of international visitors, number of nights stayed, and visitor expenditure on record, and as a result of our hard work we continue to see our great state attract far more visitors than our rivals,’ Mr Ayres said.

NSW achieved a significant increase in international visitors to 3.4 million (up 6.6 percent), number of nights stayed rose to 85.8 million (up 12.9 percent), and expenditure was up 19.2 percent to $8.45 billion, according to the International Visitor Survey published by Tourism Research #Australia today.

‘These results are fantastic, as they represent the dollars that are being spent in our regions which in turn create jobs and provide an economic boost,’ said Mr Ayres.

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Picture Credit: Elizabeth Bay</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin

Vivid Sydney festival programme unveiled

THE programme for this year’s Vivid #Sydney festival (May 27-June 18) has been unveiled.

The musical headliners this year include English electronic pioneers New Order, who will play four nights, including two with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in the Sydney Opera House, and Bjork.

A first for the festival will be an eight-hour overnight performance in the Joan Sutherland Theatre by German-born British contemporary composer, Max Richter.

Taronga Zoo will be on the bill with a light walk that features ten enormous light sculptures, each representing a critically endangered animal. Each will be the size of a two-storey house.

The festival is the largest of its kind in the world and last year attracted 1.7 million domestic and international visitors to New South Wales.

www.vividsydney.com

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Where life’s a beach

Top 5 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice beaches in #Australia:

1.       Whitehaven Beach – Whitsunday Island, Queensland: Stretching for more than four miles, travellers are taken away by the clear waters and soft sand. Whitehaven beach is one of the most photographed beaches in Australia and many reviewers marvel at its sheer beauty. “

2.       Manly Beach – Sydney, New South Wales: Manly is secluded from the hustle and bustle of a major city, and was one of the first seaside resorts to allow daylight swimming and surfing in 1903. Visitors can get on a ferry at Circular Quay for a scenic ride around Sydney harbour to Manly.

3.       Surfer’s Paradise Beach – Gold Coast, Queensland: Located on the Gold Coast, this beach is one of Australia’s most visited tourist destinations, celebrated for its iconic golden sand strip.

4.       Turquoise Bay – Exmouth, Western Australia: Within a few yards of the Ningaloo Reef, it’s a perfect spot for snorkelling.

5.       Shelly Beach – Sydney, New South Wales: This beach is part of Cabbage Tree Bay, a protected marine reserve popular with scuba divers and snorkellers. Great for spotting dolphins from May to August.

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Summer secrets of New South Wales

FOR holidaymakers looking to leave the hustle and bustle of the big, popular beaches and relax, have a quiet drink somewhere new, or go on a camping adventure, Destination #NewSouthWales suggests these options … 

Mackerel Beach, Sydney: On the western shores of Pittwater in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Mackerel Beach is secluded, picturesque, and accessible only by boat from Palm Beach. The beach has several beachside properties available for weekend rentals.

Krinklewood Winery: In the Hunter Valley, this boutique cellar door and bio-dynamic winery is set among Provencal-style gardens overlooking the vineyards and olive trees off the main wine trail in the Hunter Valley. It’s a pleasant two-hour drive from Sydney.

Mystery Bay camping ground: Mystery Bay camp ground is one of the few natural camping areas remaining on the New South Wales coast. On the far south coast five-and-a-half hours from Sydney, the campsites are scattered throughout the native bush of spotted gums right by the beach. The area has fantastic beaches and rocky coves.

Wayward Brewing Company: Get lost on purpose and stroll down Gehrig Lane in Camperdown to get a cold craft beer at the newly-opened Wayward Brewery. Sit back on one of the 70's style couches under a beer keg lamp and settle in for an afternoon out of the sun in the brewer’s dimly-lit atmospheric warehouse space.

Nightcap National Park: Explore the ancient World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Nightcap National Park near Lismore in north-eastern New South Wales. The Protestor Falls track through the rainforest is an ideal short walk for nature lovers.

www.sydney.com





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Picture Credit: Minyon Falls & rhyolite by Poyt448 Peter Woodard - Own work. Licensed under CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

Domestic tourism records for Australia

NEW SOUTH WALES welcomed almost 28 million domestic visitors in the past 12 months, putting it once again far ahead of its closest rivals, according to Australia's National Visitor Survey (NVS) for the year ending year ending September 2015. 
  
‘NSW received 8.1 million more domestic visitors than Queensland and 6.6 million more than Victoria – clearly we are outshining the rest of Australia,’ said the state’s minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres. ‘These visitors to NSW stayed 90 million nights and spent nearly AU$16 billion in the last 12 months, an increase of five per cent, providing a massive economic boost to our state, and creating jobs in restaurants, hotels, and our superior visitor attractions.’

Nationally, NVS figures for the year to September 2015 highlight domestic travel records in spending and number of trips. There was a six percent increase in overnight visitor spending to $56.9 billion and a seven percent increase in overnight trips to 85.3 million.

Tourism & Transport Forum Australia chief executive Margy Osmond said the results reinforced the need for government to develop an economy strategy that put industries such as tourism as the heart of Australia’s economic growth.

‘The news out of the tourism sector just gets better and better at a time when the Australian economy is trying to transition away from the mining boom. Tourism is a beacon of light for the Australian economy, and that’s the reason why we need a stronger partnership between government and industry to make sure it can reach its full potential for job creation and economic growth.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8454450@N08/4964133060">HDR Dee Why, Sydney, NSW</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/44028103@N07/6045444733">'Blazin' Orange', Australia, Northern Territory, Alice Springs, Uluru-Katja Tjuta National Park, Ayers Rock</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">(license)

Tourism boom as more airlines fly to NSW

ALMOST one million extra seats are on offer from seven international airlines flying to Sydney, #Australia, providing a massive boost to #tourism during the busy summer months. 

New South Wales minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, said the airlines will provide a huge economic benefit to Sydney and regional accommodation, restaurants, retailers, and visitor attractions.

‘Our state is Australia's home of international travel, and the NSW government through our tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, has developed key international partnerships to attract the world's best airlines,’ Mr Ayres said.

International visitors to NSW spent more than AU$8 billion during the last 12 months, an increase of 15 percent in the last year, with a significant jump in visitors from China.

New services by All Nippon Airways, Xiamen Airlines, Solomon Airlines, American Airlines, Indonesia AirAsia X, Hainan Airlines, and Qatar Airways will result in more than 980,000 seats in the next 12 months, providing an estimated AU$400 million economic injection of visitor expenditure to NSW.

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Visitors tuck in as NSW food and wine provides huge boost to economy

NEW SOUTH WALES has shown it is a food-lover’s paradise: the results of the state government’s campaigns featuring food and wine have delivered an additional domestic and international visitor spend of more than A$20 million in the last 12 months.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said: ‘NSW is enjoying somewhat of a food and wine tourism revolution with more visitors coming to our state to enjoy our award-winning beers, ciders, wineries, fresh produce, and world-class restaurants.

‘With the development and regeneration of urban areas, as well as a focus on local product, Sydney and NSW is experiencing a restaurant renaissance.’

Destination NSW chief executive officer Sandra Chipchase said the promotion of food and wine experiences had become an integral part of the agency’s marketing campaigns, with NSW boasting world-class dining experiences for visitors. ‘More than 36,000 agents globally took part in NSW food and wine training and more than 70 new food and wine packages were delivered to our priority international markets including Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, USA, India, and the UK.’

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