Local Tourism & Events News The latest news and business opportunities relevant to tourism businesses in
Glen Innes Highlands. Autumn is here and so begins the influx of visitors seeking cooler weather, the extraordinary colours and natural beauty of the New England High Country, and an exciting lineup of local and regional events. April is also the final month of planning before the Australian Celtic Festival, held from 4 to 7 May, which attracts thousands of visitors to our region. The festival showcases our rich Celtic heritage and is a hub for clans, pipe bands, performers, dancers and Celtic artisans from around Australia and the world, providing our visitors with an extraordinary Celtic experience while celebrating the Year of Scotland! It was exciting to attend the relaunch of the Glen Innes Business Chamber in March and I hope that any subscribers to this newsletter who operate a local business introduce themselves to this new and vibrant committee and consider becoming a member. If you have any enquiries or requests with regard to how we can support and help to promote your business or event, please email [email protected]. Rhonda Bombell Tourism & Events Officer Economic Development Team Glen Innes Severn Council | | | Local Event News & Resources | | | Glen Innes Joins Parkrun Community Glen Innes has joined parkrun's network of over 460 locations around Australia, following the launch of the Australian Standing Stones parkrun. This fee 5k community event welcomes anyone to walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate every Saturday morning. You only have to register once before being able to attend any parkrun around the country. It's a great way for community members to meet up with friends and family. The events are also popular for tourists, enabling them to connect with different communities when travelling and to experience the benefits of exercise and social interaction in a new environment. More info.
Photo credit: Australian Standing Stones parkrun Facebook | | What's On at the Australian Celtic Festival Exciting news for those attending this year's Australian Celtic Festival (ACF) - The website will soon offer the option to download or print a 'What's On' guide to assist with making plans to attend the huge lineup of events taking place 4-7 May. There will also be a special ACF Collector's Souvenir Program to purchase from 1 May from the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre or at the festival. Stay tuned! More info. | | | | You can subscribe to our ACF newsletter for up-to-date program information. The 2023 ACF Sponsorship Prospectus is also now available for any businesses wishing to submit an expression of interest to help us achieve our event goals. | | Glen Innes Highlands HUB Highlands HUB programs regular workshops and training events. Community organisations and local businesses are invited to get in contact to discuss specific training and development needs that the HUB may be able to support. To enquire, visit in person at 167 Grey Street, Glen Innes, or send an email to [email protected]. | | | | Above: Photos from some of our recent events at the HUB. Photo credit: Cassandra Hill | | Upcoming Events at the HUB
WED 19 APR: Introduction to Social Media Marketing
REGISTER NOW (FREE IN-PERSON EVENT)
This masterclass will help you to: - Understand the social media landscape
- Understand the major social media platforms, how they function and what role they play in marketing
- Create social media marketing goals
- Define your target audience and their journey
- Learn how to create effective social media posts that are engaging
WED 27 APR: Masterclass: Digital and Social Marketing
REGISTER NOW (FREE VIRTUAL EVENT)
This masterclass will help you to: - Understand the key digital marketing techniques and which may be right for your business
- Understand the concept of a digital footprint
- Analyse your existing digital presence and build a plan to drive more traffic, leads and revenue conversion
| | Event Support Organising a local event? We can help to spread the word! List your event online via the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) and it will then appear on the Glen Innes Highlands event calendar, as well as hundreds of others. It's free, so register today! Browsing our online events calendar for details of other local events may also be helpful when planning your upcoming event to avoid date clashes. | | | | You can also email us your event posters to display at the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre or any event support related queries to [email protected]. | | GLENRAC Events The Glen Innes Natural Resources Advisory Committee (GLENRAC) works in unison with landholders, local government agencies, and Federal and State government departments such as the Department of Environment & Climate Change and Office of Water, NSW Department of Primary Industries, and the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services. | | | | GLENRAC offers regular courses and events that may be of interest to local landholders and business operators. View their events calendar. | | | Local Business Opportunities & Industry Updates | | | Launch of the New Glen Innes Business Chamber The Glen Innes Business Chamber (GIBC) was officially launched on 16 March at a wonderful event at the New England Motor Lodge. Business owners and enthusiasts gathered with the community, Council representatives and dignitaries to listen to the vision and goals that President Cassandra Hill and the GIBC committee is hoping to achieve with networking opportunities, mentoring and support. Glen Innes Business Chamber Member Meet Up & Networking
In support of the Glen Innes Business Chamber launch, Glen Innes Highlands HUB, in partnership with Ian Mason, is hosting a series of Member Meet Ups for the Glen Innes business community. THUR 20 APR: MORE INFO
THUR 25 MAY: MORE INFO
THUR 22 JUN: MORE INFO Connect with the Glen Innes Business Chamber via their website, Facebook or Instagram. | | Leveraging Peak Tourism Times & Regional Events Being at the crossroads of the Gwydir and New England Highway, Glen Innes has its advantages in that local businesses can leverage the influx of visitors passing through or staying overnight when travelling to or from events in and around our greater region. QLD/NSW School holidays are also peak tourism times for local businesses to consider. | | | Upcoming school holidays/local events:
3 April - 14 April - QLD Autumn School Holidays
10 April - 21 April - NSW Autumn School Holidays
15 April - goodnessgravel Gravel Fondo cycling event - 200 visitors
4-7 May - Australian Celtic Festival - 7,000 visitors
Upcoming events in surrounding regions:
1 April - Armidale Autumn Festival
7-10 April - Tenterfield Autumn Festival
29 April - Grafton to Inverell Cycle Race (via Glen Innes)
13 & 14 May (Mother's Day weekend) - Armidale's The Big Chill Festival
Image credit: goodnessgravel | | | If you are in the process of planning an event, we recommend checking the calendar first to observe peak times and avoid date clashes. The calendar is a handy tool to share information with your own visitors and customers. For more information regarding events, contact via email or phone 67302400. | | Land of the Beardies Museum Glen Innes Historical Society members are continuing upgrades and improvements at the museum for emergency exits, new doors, panic bars, ramps and handrails. These upgrades will ensure the safety of their visitors, volunteers and tradesmen. | | | | The museum has also recently welcomed two new exhibits, including a Wedding Dress Exhibition and the Boyd Portraits Exhibition, which features three portraits of Glen Innes' earliest European settlers Archibald Boyd, his brother William and William's wife Anne. These portraits are thought to have been painted in the 1840s in Scotland and hung in their ancestral home south of Edinburgh. Donated by the Roberts family, these portraits will be an enticing exhibit for visitors. More info. | | You Moved Where?! Podcast This new podcast explores the diverse stories of eight Australians who have swapped the big smoke for regional Australia. This is a fascinating look into the motivation and change for the better from the Regional Australia Institute. Listen here. | | | Tourism Benefits from Work Bonus New initiatives and incentives are available to tackle our workforce shortages. Changes to the Australian Government's Work Bonus provide an opportunity for mature and experienced workers to help address labour and skills shortages, especially
during seasonal and peak periods. Learn how you can earn more without it affecting your pension. More info. | | | Boost For Nature-Based Tourism Operators If you are a business wanting to develop nature-based experiences, you may be eligible for a share in $3.5 million to support the creation and enhancement of tourism experiences. More info. | | | Tea, Treat & a Talk Every Mon
3.00pm
The Croft, The Australian Standing Stones, Centennial Parklands, Watsons Drive, Glen Innes
Enjoy a pot of tea (or cup of barista coffee or hot chocolate), a scone, muffin or cake, and an illustrated expert talk on a Celtic topic. $15. Payment on arrival. More info: [email protected] or 0421 470 900. | | | Australian Standing Stones parkrun Every Sat
8.00am start
The Australian Standing Stones, Centennial Parklands, Watsons Drive, Glen Innes
A free, weekly, timed 5k event every Saturday morning. Everyone is welcome to walk, jog, run or volunteer More info & registration. | | | Glen Innes
Cottage Markets Every Sat in Apr
7.00am to 12.30pm
Lions Park, Cnr East Ave
& Ferguson St, Glen Innes
Check out this great little community market, with stallholders selling fresh produce, plants, craft, gifts, food, coffee & so much more. More info. | | | ‘Journey on the Border' Exhibition Open until Fri 21 Apr
10.00am to 4.00pm Mon to Fri;
10.00am to 1.00pm Sat
Glen Innes Art Gallery, 71 Grey St, Glen Innes
The Glen Innes Art Gallery proudly represents local artists, hosting exhibitions that reflect our wonderful region and helping artists connect with their audience. More info. | | | Silversmithing Workshop Thurs 13 Apr
10.00am to 4.00pm
The Makers Shed, 123 Grey St, Glen Innes
Get across the entire silversmithing process with Richard Moon (resident Silversmith at The Makers Shed) as your guide, from designing your piece through to cutting, soldering, heating, cold-connecting, fold-forming, bezel-setting and polishing. Book now. | | | Sydney Youth Orchestra's Youth Orchestral Camp Concert Fri 14 Apr
1.30pm to 3.00pm
Chapel Theatre, 143 Church St, Glen Innes
The Sydney Youth Orchestra's Youth Orchestral Camp will see the Richard Gill Chamber Orchestra with new recruits from regional NSW perform a concert featuring a repertoire of Holst and Mozart. Book now. | | | Gravel Fondo Glen Innes Cyling Event Sat 15 Apr
Starts 7.30am
Glen Innes Highlands
Gravel and MTB riders are invited to attend the annual goodnessgravel Gravel Fondo event, offering riders three loops, including 25km, 35km, or 75km. Tickets will stay open until the event day. More info & to book. | | | Celebrating 40 Years of Washpool National Park: Campfire Yarns Sat 15 Apr
7.00pm to 8.00pm
Bellbird Campground, Washpool National Park
Join the NPWS Ranger around the campfire and learn about the history, culture and protection of the park. Then journey into the dark for a guided night walk, where you might spot glow worms, bioluminescent fungi and noctural animals. BYO camp chair and cup for a campfire yarn and a torch and binoculars for the night work. Boiled water, coffee, tea, milo, sugar and milk provided. Booking essential - phone (02) 6739 0700. | | | Celebrating 40 Years of Washpool National Park: Walk & Talk Sun 16 Apr
10.00am to 12.00pm
Coachwood Picnic Area, Washpool National Park
Meet the NPWS Ranger before setting off on the Coombadjha nature stroll. This 400m sealed track takes you through beautiful World Heritage rainforest to a viewing platform on the picturesque Coombadjha Creek. From here, you can return to the picnic area or continue on with the ranger for 1km along a more adventurous loop. Booking essential - phone (02) 6739 0700. | | | Random Weave
Basketry Workshop Sat 22 Apr
10.00am to 1.00pm
The Makers Shed, 123 Grey St, Glen Innes
Learn the simple techniques to transform natural fibres into utilitarian baskets or sculptural objects. In this class, students will complete a simple, beautiful basket made from Bangalow inflorescence under the guidance of Zimmi Forest. Book now. | | | | Make a 'Bangalow Box' Basket Workshop Sat 22 Apr
2.00pm to 4.00pm
The Makers Shed, 123 Grey St, Glen Innes
This container pays respect to the Indigenous water-carrying baskets of the east coast. Transform a Bangalow palm sheath into a totally unique basket under the guidance of Zimmi Forest. The texture, colour and shapes of this material will delight you, in a workshop designed for both adults and children. Book now. | | | Lisa Hunt in Concert Sat 22 Apr
Doors open 7.00pm
Glen Innes Services Club, 120 Grey St, Glen Innes
Lisa Hunt is an American Byron Bay-based soul singer-songwriter who has had songs on numerous compilations around the globe and has sold more than a million records. She has performed with Zucchero Fornaciari, Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, James Brown, Joe Cocker, Miles Davis, Macy Gray, Tina Turner, Bryan May, Dolores O'Riordan and Alen Vitasović. Book now. | | | Australian Standing Stones Ceremonies The Australian Standing Stones Management Board maintains a tight schedule to ensure they continue to acknowledge and celebrate Celtic nation's national days with flag-lowering ceremonies. | | | During the Australian Celtic Festival there are even more ceremonies to take part in, so don't forget to get your tickets so you can witness these traditions. There are also some to keep in mind in the coming months:
19 May - St Yves Day (Brittany)
21 June - Winter Solstice
For more information, follow the Australian Standing National Celtic Monument's official Facebook page. | | | Local Marketing & Promotion Opportunities | | | Glen Innes Highlands on Social Media If you are sharing content on social media that is relevant to our visitors, businesses, and community, be sure to tag us in your posts, as we regularly share local content via our Glen Innes Highlands Facebook and Instagram accounts. | | | | Include the following tags in your social media posts: | |  | Be Seen by More Travellers! We encourage all accommodation providers, event organisers, tourism operators and hospitality businesses (e.g. cafes, restaurants, pubs) to register with the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) to list their own businesses, experiences and events. It's FREE and allows you to easily increase your online exposure and have your business seen by more travellers. Listing your accommodation and event with ATDW also ensures this information displays on the Glen Innes Highlands website. If you require assistance with this process, email our team at [email protected]. | | Arts North West Connect Do you have a creative practice or run workshops in Glen Innes Highlands? Arts North West Connect is an online registry promoting creatives, venues, organisations and technical skills in the New England North West. Register here. | | | Glen Innes Highlands, Where You'd Rather Be Discover a place that's ready to embrace your dreams, cultivate your ideas and celebrate your success. | | | | |
