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Take a trip along the tourist trails

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Words
Brigid Veale
Published
16 July 2009
Two new tourist trails will provide visitors to the Coffs Coast, and locals, a guide to the region’s art and cultural highlights as well as a fascinating insight into the region’s history.

The Coffs Coast Arts and Cultural Trails have been put together by Southern Cross University’s Office of Regional Engagement as part of a cultural development project of the Coffs Harbour City Council.

The town and country trails, which have been produced as maps with an accompanying CD, highlight significant points of interest throughout the region and include historical and cultural information.

Southern Cross University engagement officer Sue Pratten said the trails provided a showcase of the region’s art, culture and heritage.

“Tourists and locals will be able to find out where to go and get a taste of the region’s history and creative arts along the way,” Ms Pratten said.

“The Country Trail goes from Coffs Harbour out through the Orara Valley to Coramba and Nana Glen, with a detour to Glenreagh, and across to Emerald Beach and north to Corindi.”

Along the way, visitors will hear about the discovery of gold in Nana Glen; the arrival of the region’s first diary farmer; a maritime disaster in 1886 which left 40 people dead; the Buster shipwreck at Woolgoolga; and a courtship via morse code between Maude Dammerel and a lighthouse keeper at South Solitary Island.

“The project uncovered some fabulous stories about our region which I’m sure visitors and locals will enjoy hearing,” she said.

Highlights of the Town Trail include the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, the old butter factory site and swimming baths at the Promenade, Mutton Bird Island, the Bunker Cartoon Gallery and the rock pool at Sawtell.

Ms Pratten said the audio CD which accompanies the maps was produced by Southern Cross University arts students.

“This has been a collaborative project with involvement from our staff and students, the Cultural Development Office of Coffs Harbour City Council, the Coffs Coast Tourism Association and representatives from the region’s creative industries,” she said.

“We hope it will be a valuable resource for visitors, as well as a useful guide for residents who often play host to visiting family and friends.”

The trails have been included in the Coffs Coast Explorer magazine, which is available at the Visitor Information Centre and various locations around the city. The CD is available also from the Visitor Information Centre for a gold coin donation.

The maps and audio are available as downloads from the Coffs Coast Tourism website at www.coffscoast.com.au - follow the ‘Things to do and see’ link to cultural trails.

Photo: A reconstruction of part of the old British Australian Timber Company Tramway which crossed Jarrett Creek in the early 1900s behind the Woolgoolga Art Gallery. The light rail line was built to transport timber from the surrounding hills to the Woolgoolga sawmill.