A dynamic new destination marketing collaboration, The Gourmet Coast, has launched their brand and inaugural website.
The Gourmet Coast is a new brand, covering Australia’s beautiful south-east coast from Batemans Bay in the north to the Victorian border in the south. The Gourmet Coast Trail website will help visitors find local flavours and people passionate about food who all provide exceptional culinary experiences.
This region has one of the greatest diversities of quality foods produced in Australia. There has been a long-held ambition to make this more accessible by bringing producers and experiences together to develop high quality tourism experiences. These foods and experiences are shaped by the seasons and distinctive settings, they connect visitors with the characters and stories behind the places and produce.
The Trail is the brainchild of three local food and wine producers: Lucy Wilson (Breakfast Creek Vineyard), Greg Lissaman (Mountain View Tomatoes), and Fiona Kotvojs (Gulaga Gold Truffiere).
“Some of the country’s best food and drink can be found on this stretch of coast – and all served with spectacular coastal and rural views and easy driving adventures,” said Lucy Wilson. “The fresh produce, wine and spirits, artisanal foods and restaurants here give food-lovers the quality they demand and connects them with local food producers”.
The enjoyment of eating and drinking local produce in unique venues and locations is an integral part of the travel experience. Nothing provides visitors with better insight into the local culture and customs than a destination’s food and wine, which connects visitors to the people, the produce and the place. Globally, people are becoming more knowledgeable and engaged with food and bespoke beverages. Visitors are increasingly looking for a destination’s ‘authentic’ experiences and the opportunity to enjoy its fresh local produce.
The Gourmet Coast Trail will encourage visitors to explore the entire region and discover the quality food businesses here.
“We recognised that food-lovers know no boundaries. We have brought together over 50 food businesses from across council boundaries into one brand – The Gourmet Coast.” said Greg Lissaman. “This is a wonderful opportunity to attract visitors to regional NSW and keep them in the state for longer and spending more by identifying, leveraging and building on the State’s ‘hero’ destinations and experiences, and developing more into the future.”
The Gourmet Coast Trail member businesses represent the diversity of produce in the region: cheese and other dairy, fish, fruit, gin, oysters, seaweed, truffles, vegetables and wine.
“The Gourmet Coast Trail will help develop year-round food tourism in our region,” said Fiona Kotvojs. “This will attract more visitors who love gourmet food. As more travellers visit and stay longer, year-round employment opportunities will be created 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.”
The launch of the Gourmet Coast Trail website has been timed perfectly to support the recent unveiling of Destination NSW’s new $10million brand campaign “Feel New”.
With the campaigns focus on abundant natural wonders and vibrant cultural experiences, there’s simply no better place than the Gourmet Coast to “Feel New”.
This development of the website was made possible by funding from Food Innovation Australia.
