Boost for daylesford and macedon ranges tourism

The Daylesford and broader Macedon Ranges communities are set to benefit from a new tourism campaign backed by the Andrews Labor Government to encourage more visitors to the region.

Minister for Regional Development and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the Wombat Botanical Gardens to announce $100,000 funding for Daylesford Macedon Tourism to deliver a marketing campaign.

The campaign will support the region’s recovery from the pandemic through increased and sustained visitation, helping tourism and hospitality businesses bounce back.

The initiative is among 54 new local priority projects worth nearly $10 million which have been funded through the Government’s Regional Recovery Fund announced as part of the Victorian Budget 2020/21.

The project aims to attract visitors from Melbourne and interstate to Daylesford and the wider Macedon Ranges region through tailored overnight itineraries that showcase the many world-class businesses, products and experiences on offer in the region.

It comes as Daylesford is set to heat up this month with a series of intimate live performances as part of the newest feature on Victoria’s winter events calendar – Winter Sounds – supported by the Regional Events Fund.

The three-day music series from 16-18 July will bring some of Australia’s finest artists to Daylesford and the surrounding hills with performances taking place in unique spaces and heritage buildings that dot the landscape.

The Regional Recovery Fund is designed to kickstart recovery by investing in locally identified projects that address each region’s unique and immediate socio-economic challenges, with a strong focus on creating jobs.

It ensures that communities can respond rapidly and flexibly to the impacts of the pandemic which have played out differently across Victoria. It also builds on the Government’s almost $30 billion record investment across regional and rural Victoria since 2015.

Successful projects were identified based on their ability to provide an immediate economic response and assist with recovery efforts while also laying the groundwork for future growth. For more information visit: rdv.vic.gov.au/regional-recovery-fund.

Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas:
"This destination marketing campaign will help to accelerate recovery amongst Daylesford and the broader Macedon Ranges communities and build an even better and brighter future for the region."

Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula:
"Investment and events like this provide a compelling reason to visit regional Victoria, boosting not only tourism businesses but the wider economy."