THE Barrington region is famous for snow on the Barrington Tops and rugged high country, however a recent change in marketing is paying off for MidCoast Council.

The area is home to the Gathang-speaking people, and sits within Worimi Country which spans from the Hunter River to the Manning River at Taree and west to the Barrington Mountain Range.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

The Barrington Coast features stunning beaches, Broughton Island and other small islands and areas of Indigenous significance including Dark Head.

It is also home to the Myall Lakes National Park, Mungo Brush and is home to the populations of Dingos, Koalas and Platypus.

The Barrington Coast is certainly a place where you can stay, play and explore some of the best nature experiences in NSW.

MidCoast Council’s destination brand Barrington Coast is a finalist in two categories of the New South Wales Tourism Awards for 2021.

The NSW Tourism Awards celebrate business excellence, innovation and exceptional customer service.

The 2020 awards did not take place due to COVID-19 so the current awards cover a 24 month period ending June 2021.

“The extended qualification period allowed us to include the brand launch of Barrington Coast, the launch of the new destination website and social media pages plus our inaugural destination marketing campaign,” MidCoast Council’s Mayor David West said.

“We’ve enjoyed exceptionally good results in all of these marketing channels, so we were very happy with the strength of our two submissions.”

The two award entries focused on the robust research and strategies undertaken by MidCoast Council for destination management, tourism branding, media choice, creative design, and tracking user behaviour.

“I am thrilled to see us named as a finalist in the ‘tourism marketing and campaigns’ category and the ‘Local Government Award for Tourism’ category.

“Importantly, we’re able to receive feedback from industry experts about our efforts – whether we win or not – and that’s gold,” said Mayor West.

The ‘tourism marketing and campaigns’ category recognises creativity and innovation in the promotion of tourism products, services and/or destinations.

The ‘Local Government Award for tourism’ recognises excellence in tourism planning, the provision of tourism facilities and services, marketing, event development and management.

Destination Barrington Coast is joined by several other local tourism businesses as finalists in their categories: Aussie Ark in Barrington Tops (Tourist Attractions); Blueys Motel (4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation); Reflections Holiday Parks Seal Rocks (Caravan and Holiday Parks); and Seafarers Diamond Beach (Excellence in Accessible Tourism).

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the planned November awards ceremony has been postponed with winners being announced at the Gala Awards Dinner at Sydney’s Luna Park on 3 February 2022.

Relevant category winners will go on to represent NSW at the Australian Tourism Awards on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in March 2022.

By Marian SAMPSON