This project will be structured to support the significant investment that has already been made in upgrading the artesian spa facilities in the Moree Shire including Boomi and Mungindi, the Narrabri Shire at Pilliga and Burren Junction and the Walgett Shire at Lightning Ridge.
The hot artesian water in Moree, Burren Junction and Lightning Ridge has been an attraction in the region for more than 60 years, drawing in the order of 500,000 visitors and about 21,600 caravans per year.
This new funding will complement the $7 million councils are investing in their facilities across the region. Additional investment is also in progress within the private sector of the industry with many further developments proposed.
This project aims to contribute towards establishing ‘The Great Artesian Drive’ that will link together the hot artesian spa experience with accommodation and health and wellness services.
CEO of Tourism Moree Inc Tammy Elbourne is thrilled with the announcement and is eager to embark on this project.
“Each of the shires recognised the potential of clustering, packaging and promoting the artesian water experience on a co-operative basis,” Mrs Elbourne said.
“The drive will position the artesian spas as a high profile iconic experience for north western NSW while drawing travellers through the New England/North West region. With the investments that have already been made by both our councils and our private operators, there is now a real need to grow this industry in a range of tourism markets including the drive market, touring caravans and motorhomes, group travellers and health and wellness,” she said.
“We see this venture as stage one of ‘The Great Artesian Drive’ project. With many more marketing concepts in the pipeline, we are sure to see this drive strengthen our region, while contributing towards the diversification of the market base, increasing visitation, particularly higher yielding visitors and stimulating investment within the area.”
The drive will incorporate a number of routes and loops, with the main routes being the 297km drive from Narrabri to Lightning Ridge via Pilliga and Burren Junction-Walgett, the 262km drive from Moree to Lightning Ridge, and the 285km Moree round trip via Boomi and Mungindi.
The drive extends from Narrabri through the Moree Shire to the Queensland border, west to Lightning Ridge, and potentially south to Coonamble, covering a total area of about 63,220 square kilometres.
The project is targeted at growing visitation to the North West region by providing an iconic attraction that educates the visitors to “take the waters” and encourage travellers to explore more of the region increasing length of stay.
The project is also designed to support established local and private operators and to assist with the development of events within these shires such as the Healing Waters Festival, which will be used as a platform to promote the therapeutic benefits of the artesian waters. A number of new health and wellness businesses have also been established in both Moree and Narrabri and an eco spa is proposed for Coonamble.
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