Promoters of the Grand Pacific Drive, two to three hours south of the NSW capital see extra potential for New Zealanders landing at the new airport in Western Sydney.
‘That will open up a new route for visitors,’ says Tracey Pascoe, head of trade, business events and partnerships at Destination Wollongong. ‘People can travel through to Jervis Bay, head to Wollongong and then on to Sydney City.’
A coming development in the region is the opening of Crowne Plaza Shell Cove Marina, with about 180 rooms and scheduled to open in August this year.
However, the big attraction for Kiwi self-drivers is the opportunity to visit friendly villages with boutique accommodation choices along the route. Stops include Berry – a multi winner in the top tourism town in New South Wales title.
Meantime, Nadia Pike was promoting Central Coast New South Wales – emphasising that the region is now just 45 minutes from Sydney CBD utilising the relatively new ‘north connex’ tunnel to Mooney Mooney.
Pike, the tourism business development and industry officer for the region, notes that Central Coast has more than 30 beaches in total, about 16 of them patrolled. ‘So you don’t have to go far for a relaxed coastal holiday.’
Highlights include Pelican Time at The Entrance, run by Marine Wildlife Rescue.
Two new hotels were added to the area’s inventory last year – Voco Gosford and Encore by Mingara at Tumbi Umbi. A new luxury product, Grand Saddles Lodge is planned to open soon at Mount White.
Pike says Central Coast is a popular stop-over on the way to Hunter Valley – a further two and a half hours.
The regions’ messages are in line with Destination NSW’s Sydney Plus strategy.
‘Our message to Kiwis is they can go and explore places they haven’t heard of or don’t know much about,’ says a spokesperson from the State Tourism Office. ‘It could be the Southern Highlands, Jervis Bay, Newcastle and Port Stephens, Bathhurst and Orange plus much more – all three hours or less from Sydney. This provides a lot of opportunity for trade.’
Even in Sydney there’s always something new – clients may have seen the Harbour Bridge but have they climbed it, have they had an e-bike tour of Manly, or actually been to a show at The Opera House?
That view resonates with Ivy Youster of Bonza Bike Tours.
‘Sydney geography is easy to navigate but a key piece of our tours is the history and culture of the city. We delve into Indigenous history, fun facts about the building of the harbour bridge, controversy around the Opera House and more. Our tours give Kiwis a new layer of understanding for Sydney.’
