Discovery Parks Group Excellence in Tourism Award

This category is open to any business offering goods, attractions or services to the visitor economy.

The Discovery Parks Group is very excited and proud to be sponsoring the Campaspe Murray Business Award for Excellence in Tourism. The tourism industry is an integral part of our region, and we congratulate the passionate and enthusiastic operators, striving for excellence and focused on providing visitors with an experience that keeps them wanting to come back to this wonderful part of the country.

FINALISTS

E M Events

E M Events design and deliver unique, exclusive events to complement the history and innovation of Echuca Moama. They are the inspiration behind the renowned Pop and Pour Festival. The festival is the annual showcase of restaurants, chefs, award-winning wines and craft beers within the Perricoota region. Armed with wine glass and wristband, participants spend the day sampling from the different venues, while also enjoying the local music and scenery of the region. The 2022 event will be held on November 26 with organisers reporting strong ticket sales. Venues on the schedule are Cadell On The Murray, St Annes Winery, Three Black Sheep, Rich River Golf Club and Perricoota Vines Retreat. Such has been the success of the Pop and Pour Festival, the E M Events team will drive the development of a similar style festival in the Tweed Shire, located in northern NSW. For more, visit popandpour.com.au

Morrisons Riverview Winery & Restaurant

Established in 2000, Morrisons Riverview Winery & Restaurant is a leading wedding venue in Echuca Moama. Located on the banks of the Murray River and overlooking 15 acres of vineyards, it is the perfect place for locals and travellers. It is an idyllic location for a wedding or special event. Offering award-winning dining options, Morrisons works closely with the tourism industry, providing packaged products that attract many domestic and international visitors. The team is dedicated to local produce with a balance of traditional and modern cookery. They adapt to the seasons and use them to keep the menus fresh and interesting all year round. In addition to the Excellence In Tourism nomination, Morrisons is a finalist in the Excellence In Hospitality Award. Morrisons Riverview Winery & Restaurant is located at 123 Merool Road, Moama.

Murray Darling Scenic Flights

Murray Darling Scenic Flights is owned and operated by Peter and Wendy McDonald. Peter, a commercial pilot and fifth generation farmer, started the business in January 2022. The service operates with a highly-maintained and well-appointed 2019 Cessna 172S aircraft. Not only are they reliable, dependable and easy to fly, but the high wing structure ensures minimum obstruction for the views of passengers. Murray Darling Scenic Flights is a business deeply linked to the basin of the communities of the Central Murray over which it flies and is a firm believer in “keeping it local”. They offer scenic flights featuring iconic locations such as Lake Tyrrell, Lake Mungo, the Yanga National Park/Gayini Wetlands, Murray River and Murray Valley National Park. Murray Darling Scenic Flights can also take care of any personalised itineraries or charter flights, departing from local airports including Echuca, Swan Hill, Deniliquin and Kerang. In addition to the Excellence In Tourism nomination, Murray Darling Scenic Flights is a finalist in the Best New Business Award. For more, visit www.murraydarlingscenicflights.com.au

Ciurleo’s Ice Cream & Waffle House

Ciurleo’s is a retro-inspired ice cream and waffle house which has been operating in Lockington since 2017. Stocking 24 premium ice cream flavours to choose from and fall in love with. Owner John Ciurleo makes his waffles on site, saying it took six months to perfect the recipe, but they are now “a hero” of the business. Ciurleo’s also stock savoury dishes, baked potatoes, scrumptious hot dogs and their highly-popular brisket burgers. The family-run business also caters for a number of special events, such as a Father’s Day breakfast and Fish N Chips on Good Friday. Ciurleo’s pride themselves on their quality products and quality customer service. In addition to the Excellence In Tourism nomination, Ciurleo’s is a finalist in the Excellence In Hospitality Award. Ciurleo’s Ice Cream & Waffle House is located at 3–5 Lockington Road, Lockington.

FLY THE STORIES OF OUR LANDSCAPE

The Southern Murray Darling Basin has an incredible diversity of ancient landscapes. The dry lakes, salt lakes, wetlands and rivers are spectacular when seen from the air. Murray Darling Scenic Flights offers the unique opportunity to see these special places with our flight experiences offered out of Swan Hill, Kerang, Deniliquin and Echuca Airports.