February 28, 2017
The South Burnett is poised to declare itself the first “motorcycle friendly” region in Australia to encourage more motorcyclists to tour the region.
Four towns in Tasmania, NSW and Queensland have already done this including Crows Nest, which declared itself a motorcycle-friendly town last December and will be holding its official launch on Sunday (March 5).
On Tuesday, South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell said a motion to declare the entire region motorcycle friendly is likely to be tabled at next month’s Council meeting.
If passed, it will make the South Burnett the first motorcycle friendly region in Australia.
Mayor Campbell credited the idea to Murgon retailer Mark Smith, from Mark Smith’s Menswear.
Mark heard a radio program about the motorcycle friendly movement and asked the Murgon Business and Development Association to look into what would be required to have Murgon declared a motorcycle friendly town.
It turned out to be surprisingly easy.
The movement is so new that there is no official process to declare a town motorcycle friendly, in contrast to the complex processes needed to have a town declared as RV-friendly.
Instead, it just requires the will of local people to welcome riders, put up some signs, add some motorcycle parking bays in CBD areas and produce tourist information brochures and maps of suitable regional routes.
It could also be lucrative.
Tourism Queensland estimates that motorcycle riders spend up to $160 a day in local communities on food, fuel, drinks and other items, compared with $40 spent by grey nomads in self-contained caravans.
The Mayor said the South Burnett was particularly suited to motorcyclists, with many long drives available through a variety of landscapes.
Traffic volumes were also lighter than they were in more built-up areas, which improved rider safety.
“From Council’s point of view, this is another tourism market we should encourage,” the Mayor said.
“We already encourage inland tourists, caravanners and people who want a fishing holiday to visit us. Motorcyclists should be just as welcome.”
Sounds great. We have plenty to offer in the South Burnett.
This is a great initiative but it’s not actually new. I believe Texas is the number one biker-friendly town in Queensland and businesses and locals steadily reap many benefits as a result. Surrounding towns like Goondiwindi and Inglewood have also picked up trade. On many weekends (or even during the week) accommodation and the RSL are booked out as bikers visit and stay to spend their money in the town and surrounds. Bikers are very loyal and as you say, have money to spend. Many towns and businesses familiar to the South Burnett already have biker-friendly or motorcycle-friendly signs in front of their shops and motorcycle-friendly bays. They get much business as a result and are included on group rides, where clubs stop and spend their money. (And no one causes any trouble. Many members are parents and grandparents spending the kids’ inheritances). The Kai Lounge at Moore is well-known as a biker-friendly stop as is the whole town of Esk, particularly The Nash Gallery, and sometimes is the venue for weekend get-togethers, where I am sure a lot of money is spent. Mt Glorious, Mt Nebo, FNQ, Gold Coast Hinterland are also popular on the motorcycle route. Fernvale and Esk Bakeries also get big ticks as biker-friendly. But well done for joining an initiative which is known to draw to people to the area. The South Burnett is already on the radar and the bike route of many motorcyclists due to the scenery and the quieter roads, and making the region more welcoming and accessible will only be a good thing. And as your article points out it is cheap and easy to do, as other businesses have found.
Sorry… the first Australian Motorcycle Friendly Region will be launched on Sunday 23 April 2017, following 12 months hard work on the project.
Avon Tourism (a sub-regional tourism organisation run by volunteers) endorsed the Avon Valley Motorcycle Friendly Region Project Plan in March 2016, with funding confirmed in July 2016.
The Avon Valley Region links seven regional WA Shires – Beverley, Chittering. Goomalling, Northam, Toodyay, Victoria Plains and York, each of which has pledged their support for the project and will be assisting with the works required over the coming month.
We will excitedly unveil regional signage, noticeboards and brochures, supported by an existing website and social media presence ~ with over 100 regional eateries, places to stay and attractions pledging that they will be motorcycle friendly.
Happy to share how we achieved this… after the launch :o)
Congratulations!! We’ll just have to be the first region in Queensland ;)
>>thumbs up to that<<
You would be surprised how many people ride motor bikes in Kingaroy. Just from my own observations of late, the amount of motorcyclist who pass through Kingaroy is surprising. If we can capture some of this market it would be worthwhile for some businesses to open on Sunday morning for breakfast/brunch.
Sorry guys, Goondiwindi Regional Council did it back in 2013, as the first mainland region, with an official launch attended by politicians, journalists, travel reps and of course, bikers. More than 100 of them, who then named Texas Queensland’s first biker-friendly town. Then minister Lawrence Springborg was there, and praised the region’s foresight in recognising the potential for tourism. There was a lot of work involved then too, mainly with Councillors (especially Cr David McMahon) and local publican Helen Rush, who offered a free beer with every room booked, a biker’s kit including chain oil and visor cleaner, tourism guides, maps and more. Still a great initiative, but when it’s been going for years in another region, it isn’t fair to take credit. it’s one of the ideas that I knew would work well in the South Burnett back then, as so many motorcyclists include as on their routes and even more will now. And Rob Langford is right, we will need businesses to actually be open if we are to take advantage of this business – as they are in other centres. And to offer incentives to stay here. It can be as simple as that free beer with a room. And that goes with all travellers. Other regions offer deals. Kids stay or eat free. Pensioner discounts. Discounts to eat at a motel for those staying there. A bottle of local wine perhaps. It’s often cheaper to stay at the coast or the city than in the South Burnett. We need to think outside the box to get people to linger longer.
I believe the South Burnett Council plans to push “region”, ie covering multiple towns including Blackbutt, Maidenwell, Kingaroy, Tingoora, Proston, Wondai, Murgon etc, rather than just a single motorbike-friendly town. We’ll have to see how local businesses respond to the initiative, I guess.