Hervey Bay Gossip

Love it or loathe it - believe it or think it’s nothing but “another gutless, anonymous blog” - there’s no doubt that if your interested in the future of Hervey Bay then Strewth is definitely worth reading.

For the last week or so Strewth has been very quiet and it seems with good reason … but now it’s back so follow the link see what kept Strewth so quiet. If true it’s definitely disturbing and quite possible.

Website boosts Queensland’s backpacking industry

Queensland’s 356,000 annual backpackers now have a new website to make their trip to the Sunshine State easier and more enjoyable.

Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle, also the Member for Cairns, officially launched the website www.backpackingqueensland.com.au at Calypso Backpackers in Cairns today.

“Backpackers are extremely important to Queensland’s tourism industry, with around 356,000 backpackers visiting each year,” Ms Boyle said.

“The Far North is a key destination, with more than 60 per cent of backpackers including a stay in the tropics.

“This new website has been designed to better support backpackers during their stay and to attract more backpackers to Australia’s holiday state.

“The Queensland Government has invested more than $25,000 through Tourism Queensland to help Backpacking Queensland update the state’s backpacker website.

“The new site will include more language translations and interactive maps and has the ability for backpackers to upload their travel stories and photos.

“The site will also soon have a state-of-the-art booking system for Queensland backpacking trips and activities.

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Overseas visitors to Fraser Coast and South Burnett up 10 per cent

International visitors to the Fraser Coast and South Burnett increased by 10 per cent in the year to September 2007, the latest International Visitor Survey results show.

Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said the figures released today showed 197,700 overseas visitors arrived in the Fraser Coast/South Burnett region in the year to September 2007, staying an average 4.5 nights in the region.

Total international visitor nights were up 13 per cent to 896,200.

“Ninety-five per cent of all overseas visitors to the region were holidaymakers with 195,700 in the region purely for pleasure,” she said.

“Boasting the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island, plus a host of other attractions, it is easy to see why the region is so popular.”

“The number of international tourists visiting friends and relatives also increased strongly.

“The United Kingdom was the region’s largest source market with 56,700 visitors in the year to September 2007.

Germans were also attracted to the region’s natural beauty. An estimated 26,300 German tourists in the year to September 2007 represented an increase of 19 per cent.

The State Government has announced the trading hours for the coming Christmas Period. Hervey Bay falls into what is described as a designated tourist are.

Large retail shops will close on Christmas Day throughout Queensland, but will be open for trade on Boxing Day, December 26, and New Years Day in South East Queensland and designated tourist areas.

Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said small independent retail shops will also be closed on Tuesday, December 25, except if they are predominantly food and/or grocery shops.

“Shops such as chemists, service stations, newsagents, take away food shops, bakeries, nurseries can trade at any time they wish,” Mr Mickel said.

“Trading hours for the large department stores and supermarkets on Boxing Day and New Years Day will be from 9am-6pm in South-East Queensland and 8.30am-5.30pm in designated tourist areas.”

Mr Mickel said that Westfield Chermside Shopping Complex may trade continuously from 8am on Thursday December 20 until 9pm, Friday, December 21 as it has in recent years.

Other areas in Brisbane and some major regional cities can trade until midnight on Friday, December 21.

Stores operate normal training hours on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24.