Tourism Increase Seen In Harden

IMAGE: Murrumburrah Silo Art finished earlier this year. IMAGE: Heesco Khosnaran

Hilltops region tourist numbers have risen 20% in the past six to eight months.

The increase is in line with other regional areas, given the popularity of staycations.

“With the impact of COVID limiting travel plans for people, more and more are exploring their own backyard. This is also being boosted by the Tourism Australia Holiday at Home campaigns,” Hilltops Tourism and Events Manager, Brent Randall said.

“A lot of the visitors that we are seeing are here for the first time and the feedback is that they are liking what they see. Another positive sign is the return of events. This should see continued strong visitor numbers for the Hilltops region.”

Mr Randall has acknowledged interstate and NSW tourists are coming through the town to see mills which were freshly painted earlier this year.

The mural painting illustrates the mills’ significance in the area’s history. Melbourne-based Mongolian street artist Heesco Khosnaran worked on the project over January and February.

Harden Regional Development Corporation (HRDC) CEO, Chris Ireland said the tourism impact has been noted in Harden-Murrumburrah.

“[The Murrumburrah silo art] is one of the biggest and most important projects for the community, and a great coup for the town,” he said.

“There has been an outstanding amount of people in our town.”

Attention on the town is set to maintain as work on the Bill the Bastard monument in Mill Park finishes this week.