Tuesday July 31, 2012

THE June Hughenden visitor record has been smashed by almost 1000 people, causing a town-wide accommodation shortage on a number of occasions last month.

The Hughenden Allen Terry Caravan Park is still turning people away on some days.

The impressive numbers have been a boost to the confidence of tourism officers in town after a poor season in 2011.

Flinders Discovery Centre Tourism Officer Erin Kinchela said 15 959 people walked through the doors at the centre last year compared to 16 716 in 2010 –a difference of more than 700 people.

``We believe there has been an increase in visitors this year because people held off travelling in 2011 after Cyclone Yasi and the devastating floods in various Queensland locations,’’ Ms Kinchela said. 

``Images of these floods were used regularly in the media all over Australia and the tourists said it gave the impression that all of Queensland was damaged by floods. 

``The ones who did make the trip were asking us about our flood damage and were quite surprised when we told we were not really affected.

``This year however we have had an increase of 900 people for the month of June taking our total to 3044, a record for the Centre since statistics were first taken in 1997.’’

It’s been a steep learning curve for Allen Terry Caravan Park manager Jodie Coward, who only took on the management contract in 2012.  

`` Our caravan numbers are amazing – for the last five days we have been booked out by 1pm,’’ she said. 

``Our feedback is that they are coming to see the dinosaurs, particularly after the dinosaur documentary on the ABC on Sunday nights – people have said it was amazing.

``School holidays have been packed and people have really have sought us out as a destination, not just stumbled across us.

``If they are not here to see the Porcupine Gorge we can generally convince them to take the time – and they love it.’’

Ms Kinchela said Porcupine Gorge has been more popular than ever this year. 

``Families and couple have been making the trip to the Gorge and a lot of people have taken advantage of the camp sites available – some people are even staying for three to four days,’’ Ms Kinchela said. 

`` People are also quite interested in dinosaurs and we are on the Dinosaur Trail (Winton, Richmond and Hughenden).

`` They often like to have a scratch around for fossils themselves and there is an area 16.7km out of town towards Porcupine Gorge.  Mostly Belemnites are able to be found but we did have a young boy find a clam shell the other day.’’

And the Flinders Discovery Centre has plenty more planned for the rest of the year.

``We will be commencing walking tours around the town in the next few weeks,’’ Ms Kinchela said.

`` This will take in many of the local landmarks and finish at the Centre for morning tea. 

``We will be asking the locals to decorate a bra for an exhibition In October and then we will hold a ‘Girls Night In’ to celebrate to launch and encourage locals to visit the display. 

``This will be held in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. ‘’

For more information about visiting Hughenden contact the Flinders Discovery Centre on 47412970 or Allen Terry Caravan Park on 47411190.