Stunning New Coastal Tourism Route for NSW

New South Wales is to get a new coastal tourism drive from Sydney to the South Coast, following the pre-Christmas opening of the stunning Sea Cliff Bridge north of Wollongong.

To be known as Grand Pacific Drive, it will run from the Royal National Park south of Sydney to Shoalhaven Heads on the South Coast, taking in Lawrence Hargrave Drive and part of the Princes Highway.

Previewing the new drive to Sydney media today, Tourism Wollongong General Manager Greg Binskin said tourism authorities at Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands and in Canberra would work alongside Wollongong to market the 140km route.

“The coastal route has always been a stunning way to get from Sydney to the South Coast because it mixes sweeping ocean panoramas with rolling farmland, charming fishing villages and a wide array of fun, family and action activities,” Mr Binskin said.

“But the opening of the new Sea Cliff Bridge has given us a coastal route that is the equal of the best drives in the world.”

Mr Binskin said that since the $49m bridge between Coalcliff and Clifton was opened on December 11, tens of thousands of visitors have flocked to the area.

“There’s been a total turnaround in the fortunes of Wollongong’s 10 northern villages. They’ve come alive, and the feedback we’re getting is that this is no short term thing.

“The new campaign will be aimed at telling travellers that they will not know what they’re missing if they leave Grand Pacific Drive out of their holiday plans.

“This is the area where the magnificent Illawarra Escarpment meets the Pacific Ocean, where Lawrence Hargrave made history in his box kite and where hang gliders visit from all over the globe to emulate Hargrave’s epic 1894 step into space.

“It’s where you can surf or sun on some of the best beaches in Australia, stop over in quaint beachside B&Bs, enjoy great local food, visit art galleries and stand-out attractions like Jamberoo Action Park, Nan Tien Buddhist Temple and Symbio Wildlife Gardens, or venture into the Southern Highlands for horse rides, golf, trekking and abseiling adventures.”

Mr Binskin said marketing initiatives being planned to promote Grand Pacific Drive included:

– bold new road signage for the drive and a series of loops and trails off it,

– a www.grandpacificdrive.com website

– a new 16-page travel brochure, and

– an offshore campaign supported by Tourism New South Wales and Tourism Australia.

“We’ll be saying don’t just use Grand Pacific Drive to get from point A to B but stay with us for several days to properly explore and enjoy one of Australia’s most interesting and beautiful coastal regions, making use of the exciting loops and trails that will be an essential part of the Grand Pacific Drive offering.

Loop options included:

– the drive from the South Coast to Berry and Kangaroo Valley – great for couples seeking good food and great little B&Bs and guesthouses

– the drive from Kiama to Jamberoo to enjoy the Jamberoo Action Park and nearby Minnamurra Rainforest before heading on to ‘Babe’ country in the Southern Highlands – great for families

– the drive from Wollongong up the Illawarra Escarpment and to Mount Kembla and historic Mount Keira – ideal for sightseers and adventurers

– the drive from Wollongong to Bulli Tops and Darkes Forest – for magnificent escarpment panoramas and soft adventure activities including golf, trekking, horse riding and rock climbing.

Mr Binskin said the new Sea Cliff Bridge and launch of Grand Pacific Drive was a natural fit for Wollongong’s strategy to entrench itself as a tourism and lifestyle centre.

“For the past six years Wollongong City Council has aggressively pursued policies that take advantage of our many natural attractions and close proximity to Sydney.

“This has had huge returns, with visitor yield up more than 25 per cent, and a marked increase in tourism infrastructure including a new QantasLink service out of Melbourne, a range of new restaurants and B&B’s, two new hotels scheduled to open this year, and a broad offering of attractions and tours, including sky, sea and motorcycle sightseeing tours directly linked to Sea Cliff Bridge.

“We believe this is just the start, and we will have much more to announce when all is in place for the planned launch Grand Pacific Drive at the start of the next summer high season.”

Further information at www.tourismwollongong.com and www.grandpacificdrive.com

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