Gourmet Coast Trail Inc. Receives $315,000 Funding To Promote Food Tourism

The Gourmet Coast stretches from Batemans Bay in the north to Wonboyn in the

south to Nimmitabel in the West. It features exceptional food and drink businesses

and culinary experiences.

The Gourmet Coast Trail is a collective marketing initiative – primarily a website that

promotes quality food businesses and experiences on the far south coast of NSW. It is the

brainchild of three local food and wine producers: Fiona Kotvojs (Gulaga Gold Truffiere,

Dignam’s Creek), Greg Lissaman (Mountain View Tomatoes, Coolagolite) and Lucy Wilson

(Breakfast Creek Vineyard, Coolagolite). The three co-founded the trail and launched the

Gourmet Coast brand in 2020.

The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund has granted $315,000 to the Gourmet Coast

Trail Association. The funds will be used to enhance and grow the Gourmet Coast Trail

website and grow the membership to a self-sustaining level over the next two years.

Significantly, the funding will create a position to manage the trail membership for two years.

This funding adds to the $25,000 received from Food Innovation Australia to establish the

Gourmet Coast Trail in 2020.

“Some of the country’s best food and drink can be found on this stretch of coast – served

with spectacular views and easy driving adventures,” said co-founder Lucy Wilson. “The

fresh produce, wine, beer and spirits, artisanal foods and restaurants here give food-lovers

the quality they demand and connects them with local food producers. This funding will help all those food and drink businesses reach more customers from Canberra, Sydney and

Melbourne,” said Ms Wilson.

“We recognise that food lovers know no boundaries,” said co-founder Greg Lissaman. “We have brought quality food businesses from three local government areas into one destination brand – The Gourmet Coast. This funding enables us to promote the Gourmet Coast brand and promote member businesses across council boundaries. This will inspire visitors to explore the whole far south coast. The tourism managers of the councils have been very supportive of this collaboration,” said Mr Lissaman.

“The Gourmet Coast Trail will help develop year-round food tourism in our region,” said

co-founder Fiona Kotvojs. “This will attract more tourists who love gourmet food. As more food tourists visit and stay longer, this will create year-round employment opportunities and primary producers should be able to obtain a better return for the quality food they produce, helping make our communities and farms more viable into the future,” said Dr Kotvojs.

The Gourmet Coast Trail website will launch in August 2021 with 55 member businesses

signed up already.

Gourmet Trail Committee