Regional Development

Open for Business

kooparoona niara (Great Western Tiers) form the imposing northern edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Dramatic cliffs, majestic forests and abundant birdlife make the Tiers a unique and spectacular place like nowhere else, it is a unique region for tourism and recreation.

World Heritage listing and additional protection for high conservation value forests have boosted the potential for cultural and nature based tourism in kooparoona niara (Great Western Tiers).

Its walking tracks attract local, interstate and international visitors.  Fly fishing enthusiasts come from all over the world to fish in the pristine waters at the bottom of the slopes.  Each year more cyclists choose the Tiers and its quiet road network as their destination of choice.

The rich Aboriginal cultural heritage of the area offers opportunities for the Aboriginal community to find employment and empowerment through interpretation and management, as well as providing a drawcard for visitors.

Nature-based tourism now represents a quarter of the Australian tourism industry and is no longer a niche product.  With unique landscapes and experiences, Tasmania has great potential to grow nature-based tourism.  As Tasmania’s annual tourist numbers approach 900,000 and income over 1.5 billion dollars [1] the time is right to build nature-based tourism and recreation in the State.

World Heritage Walk

Development of nature-based tourism can provide real jobs in areas such as parks management, track development and maintenance, accommodation, hospitality, retail, local art and craft sales, transport and service provision.

With many locals using the Tiers for recreation, we believe that investing in visitor infrastructure would also support healthy lifestyle goals for local communities.

Artist Trail Walk, Jackeys Marsh Forest Festival

 

 

 

What we can do

The Friends of the Great Western Tiers believe this is a rare moment for communities in the Meander Valley and Northern Midlands to promote the potential to grow tourism based on Aboriginal culture and heritage, and natural assets.  We seek the assistance of local government, businesses, land managers and the broader community to achieve this objective.

New investment in cultural and nature based tourism will promote our region’s iconic image and benefit existing and new businesses with increased visitor numbers and longer stays.

Details to be added here of the Short Walks Capital of Tasmania process….

[1] Tasmanian Tourism Snapshot, Year ending June 2011, Tourism Tasmania.