INTEREST in travelling to Tamworth has skyrocketed over the past month, as out-of-towners book into accommodation, shop at local stores, visit attractions and scour council's tourism website.
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Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) reported an increase of 106 per cent in traffic viewing the Destination Tamworth website in June this year compared to May, and it's more than 230 per cent up on April.
Visitors to the Visitor Information Centre at the Big Golden Guitar are actually above pre-COVID levels, with TRC reporting a 20 per cent increase from this time last year.
Coordinator of Economic and Destination Development Kate Baker said easing COVID-19 restrictions in the countryside and tourism campaigns have helped bring the region back to life.
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TRC has also launched a three-month campaign as part of Tourism Australia and Australian Travellers "100 Ways to Holiday Here This Year" promotion, targeted at bringing people who would normally look to overseas destinations for their trips to the Tamworth region.
Nundle's Fossickers Tourist Park manager Rebecca McCorriston said all the caravan park's cabins on-site are booked out, and pretty much have been since June.
"It's probably one of the best Junes we have had for a while," she said. "It's really great to see and it's definitely a relief, but I knew Nundle would bounce back because people just love coming here."
Ms McCorristion said the streets of Nundle have been full of happy campers exploring new places while borders are closed.
She said they're expecting even more of an influx once snow falls near the village.
Tamworth's Plumes on the Green bed and breakfast is also on the bounce-back.
Owner Petrice Cox said she had three rooms booked for the weekend, compared to March and April when the building stood virtually empty.
"I think we're about halfway to being back on track," she said. "There's certainly a more positive spin now."
Ms Cox said tourists from the city are out exploring the countryside as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on interstate and international travel.
She noted a number of visitors had come to see the painted silos at Barraba. Ms Cox said she also tries to recommend local joints like restaurants and the marsupial park to get visitors into the community.
Ms Cox said Tamworth relies heavily on tourists for events, and found the late cancellation of the National Thunder Motorcycle Rally had given the bed and breakfast a minor setback.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
