$1m road trip kick start

Promotions steer tourists to regional attractions

THE State Government is making $800,000 available to kick start work on three Tasmanian driving journeys around the state.

Three new journeys in the North, North West and South will complement the Great Eastern Drive and progress on the Western Journey Project.

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said last week’s Budget included $800,000 in 2018-19 for infrastructure and signage and $200,000 for marketing.

Mr Rockliff said the total commitment was $1.4 million over three years.

“The North-West Journey will build on the Cradle To Coast Tasting Trail taking travellers on an adventure packed trip with premium produce and iconic tourism experiences,” he said.

“The Northern Journey will take in Greater Launceston and could include its most visited attractions like the Cataract Gorge, Woolmers and Brickendon estates and the Tamar Valley wine region.

“In Southern Tasmania there are opportunities to draw visitors south of Hobart towards Bruny Island, the Tahune Forest Airwalk and the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs.

Mr Rockliff said the funding would identify products and experiences which were specific to each region, develop themes and individual stories and also look at roads, access, signage and interpretation in the development of names and brands.

“Our investment will also provide ongoing funding for Tourism Tasmania to take advantage of its marketing expertise and global reach to promote these Tasmanian journeys as unique experiences,’ he said.

Mr Rockliff said the Government had plans to consolidate the growth in tourism and create jobs in regional Tasmania by upgrading re- gional tourism roads.

The $700 million purchase of two new ships by 2021 would bring up to 43 per cent more people and their cars to the state.

“We know that visitors touring in cars stay up to nine nights longer than air travellers and look for unique experiences that can often only be provided by regional destinations,” he said.