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Tourism Report
Queensland promises great soundtrack for road trips
By Grantlee Kieza, Industry Reporter
That was a catchy refrain from one of country music star Willie Nelson’s biggest hits, and Queensland tourism chiefs are singing along with a $20 million investment in the ultimate soundtrack to some iconic road trips. The Queensland Government has a three-year plan to deliver a bold concept designed to put Queensland on the map as an international music tourism destination.
Queensland has already produced some of the industry’s biggest stars including The Bee Gees, Keith Urban, Powderfinger, Savage Garden and The Go-Betweens and next year 16 Queensland communities across four regions will host major music festivals, starting in the outback in May 2023. “Through this program, you’ll be able to see some of the world’s biggest stars play at some of the most remote and picturesque destinations in the country,” said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Whitsundays, classic rock in Townsville, opera in the outback or Indigenous artists at Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival. These events will expose tourists to some of the best experiences Queensland has to offer.
“Importantly, this investment will support jobs and inject funds into our music industry and growing regional communities that were hit hard during COVID.” Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Queensland Music Trails would drive domestic and international visitors to regional destinations with itineraries linking music events, and local tourism, art and cultural experiences. “The arts are vital to the state’s economic recovery, and before the global pandemic, contributed $8.5 billion annually to the economy and supported more than 92,000 jobs across Queensland,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“This is a unique concept that combines music alongside an established regional event and showcases our diverse landscapes to visitors who are after a different kind of memorable experience on their holiday.”
Delivered by the Queensland Music Festival (QMF), the 2021 Queensland Music Trail pilot included performances by Opera Queensland and Ensemble Q at the Jimbour Homestead in the Darling Downs, music while stargazing at the Cosmos Centre in Charleville and visual theatre at twilight on the stunning landscape of Quilpie. Mr Hinchliffe said Queensland Music Trails would create regional job opportunities, boost local economies and drive visitors to all corners of the state.
“The Queensland Music Festival concept will showcase our stunning landscapes, raise the profile of existing events, integrate our First Nations cultures through art and music, and provide domestic and international visitors another reason to come to Queensland.
“In the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we will continue to foster the development of Queensland’s arts and cultural event offerings capable of driving visitation and legacy benefits for Queensland’s regions. “This will be a key step to building Queensland’s cultural events calendar to be ready to host the world in 2032.”
Locations set to host a Queensland Music Trails event in 2023 include: Toowoomba, Jimbour, Roma, Charleville, Blackall, Longreach, Winton, Yarrabah, Cairns, Mareeba, Mossman/Port Douglas, Mackay, Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Scenic Rim, Gold Coast and Stanthorpe.
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