TO begin, I want to acknowledge the recent hardship experienced by the residents of our neighbour Broken Hill and its surrounding districts as they faced widespread power outages following storm damage to transmission towers on 17 October.
Many large generators have arrived, restoring power to most parts while reconstruction efforts are undertaken on the Transgrid high voltage lines.
My friend and Broken Hill City Council Mayor Cr Tom Kennedy told me today “It has been a hard time for all in Broken Hill, which is costing the community several million dollars per day. Tourism is essential and we continue to encourage and welcome tourists to the city and surrounds. Tourists should not cancel plans to visit. Power is connected in most cases, most of the time.”
We wish Tom and his community all the best for their ongoing recovery.
And on the topic of tourism; if I was to ask you what Australian destination would make the esteemed National Geographic Best of the World 2025 list, what would spring to mind?
If you’re thinking Cable Beach in Broome, Fitzroy Island in Queensland, Kakadu, or even the Bungle Bungles – well, you’d be wrong!
In fact, the only Australian destination to make the cut is right here in our backyard, indeed front yard – the Mighty River Murray!
Described as the ‘agrarian heartland of Australia’, we know this to be true!
We are spoilt with not only the natural beauty and recreational attraction of Australia’s greatest river, but the abundant food and fibre production that it supports.
We know from our own experience – or from productions such as A Gondola on the Murray – just how delightful the food and wine offerings are in our sun-drenched segment of this incredible river system.
How many of you have your ‘special’ or ‘secret’ campsite along the banks of the Murray that has been visited regularly for generations – an Easter ritual or summer getaway?!
Whether your preference is a quiet guided paddle with Moontongue Eco Adventures, a cruise on a houseboat – such as recent ‘World Luxury Travel Awards’ winner River Dream Boatel – or water skiing (behind a mates boat!) there is an exciting recreation option for everyone!
Not to mention the iconic vessels Rothbury and Mundoo that tour regularly, ferrying passengers upstream past the historical Psyche Bend Pumping Station, sometimes dropping in at the gorgeous Trentham Estate Winery for lunch and a tasting, or downstream through Lock 11 and past the future epic light installation Trail of Lights on to the unspoilt beauty of the River Murray Reserve.
With welcome investments like Trentham Waters Resort – an absolute celebration of life on the Murray – and iconic tourism attractions like Bruce Munro’s Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra just a stone’s throw from the Murray and Darling river junction at Wentworth both opening in 2025, there is going to be more to see and more to do than ever!
I would like to recognise the work that Wentworth Regional Tourism Inc, Destination Riverina Murray and Murray Regional Tourism do in growing the region.
Also, I acknowledge and commend all of the amazing operators we have in the Wentworth Shire and beyond, that have contributed to creating experiences along the Murray.
Further, it would be remiss of me not to plug Wentworth Shire’s amazing new visitor centre!
With an incredible interpretive space containing interactive displays and exhibits, make sure you come out and visit, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the stunning river views from the library courtyard.
However you enjoy life living on or visiting the Murray, just know that the rest of the world now has us in their sights too!
Thanks to National Geographic, they now know what we’ve always known – that our slice of paradise is a destination that should be visited by people from all over the world, and hopefully we can look forward to welcoming many new visitors soon!
We know how vitally important tourism is for our local economy and the growth of our region. I wish all participants in the visitor economy successful summer trading, and an even better year in 2025!
