Destination Intravention #31 - Australia's Hero Trail

INSPIRE: One of the things that first inspired me to write this month-long destination series was to raise awareness not just of our truly unique regional destinations, but also to not forget the ones who are still doing it tough because of drought or bushfires. Our news headlines are now dominated by COVID19, but are overlooking an equally important challenge. The below video was published by WWF earlier this year, right before COVID19 hit, and I am scared that this really important message has been drowned out. The battle against drought, recovery and resilience from bushfire still continues and just because they are not in our headlines, now more than ever we cannot forget about them. These people and places make up Australia’s Hero Trail. One of the best ways to support them is to visit them. Our existence and way of life depends on them.

INSTA-WORTHY: Earlier this year, many here in the city shared posts on social media about how terrible the smoke was and how one couldn’t see across Sydney Harbour. But, I failed to find any that mentioned the source of the smoke, the hell that our fellow Australians were going through as their home lands and livelihoods burned. Earlier this year, prior to COVID-19, along with my husband and some really good friends, we took a journey to Bilpin not just to explore, but to also do our best to contribute to their local economy. We stopped by Bilpin Fruit Bowl to pick up some local apples, one incredibly delicious apple pie (arguably the best I have had) and some apple cider (which makes some great cocktails). The produce we purchased didn’t just taste amazing because of its quality, but because we met the heroes that made it. You can pick your own apples right from the orchard, or Bilpin Country Lodge offers an awesome place for a weekend escape with the family, and yes you can even take the dog too. Bilpin is a short one hour drive northwest of Sydney. (Image courtesy of Julian Siu and Dayle Bennett).

INTREPID: Over this past month, I wrote about several destinations where local communities are still doing it tough. Regions such as Orange, or Dubbo, or Tamworth still need rain and farmers in these areas are pushed to the brink. Many of the farms in these regions supply our cities with meat, produce, milk and grain, so we need them as much as they need us. Remember, they too have had to suffer through COVID19 like the rest of us on top of all of this. Come and stay in a lodge or hotel, buy a meal at a local restaurant, buy local produce, stop by a local pub, get a haircut and take a tour or local adventure. I ask you to spare a few minutes as this video tells their story.

INNOVATION: In many rural areas, it’s difficult to find people with trades or skills who will travel distances to assist. In 2014, Charles and Tracy Alder founded Farm Army. This volunteer driven organisation is an inspiration as well as an innovation. In exchange for your skills and time, many farms can offer an incredible farm stay experience, such as helping to milk cows and calf feeding, in return for a camping spot on their riverside farm (Farm Army). Don’t get me wrong, this is not all sightseeing and sipping cold beers on the porch. It is hard work but with the immense reward of helping out a fellow human being and gaining some new skills and experience. If you have skills or want to learn new skills, are interested in offering your time and to meet some awesome unsung heroes from regional Australia, then this is your calling. (Image courtesy of Farm Army).

"It's things like this that only when you step out of our cities that we learn for ourselves“ (Kirren Pawar - Farm Army Volunteer).

INSPIRATION: In regions impacted by bushfire, again their local economies need our help. Many were reported in the media as ‘decimated’ and this has turned people away thinking there is no point visiting. On the contrary, not to discount the severity of this past bushfire season, many of those communities survived and are rebuilding. They are open for business and by visiting places such as Port Macquarie, Kangaroo Island or Armidale, your support of their local economy sends ripples out to all of the surrounding regions too.

INFORMATION: Take advantage of our increasing availability of domestic travel (including some great airline sale fares) to explore our own backyard. This project has taught me so much about my own country, that my husband and I have already begun planning several adventures throughout our spectacular nation. I truly hope it helps to inspire at least one other person to do the same.

Those who have followed this entire series, I thank you so much for your support. I have written this whilst in stand down from my job at Qantas. My continual mention of them is without their knowledge, but merely in anticipation that hopefully we can soon return to flying you to all of these wonderful destinations. My passion for regional Australia comes from many things, but one simple example is when you visit a regional airport, the local people talk to you and take an interest in you in a way you don’t experience in larger cities. When they find out you are from out of town, their passion for their community really shines and happily share their local knowledge. No one can give you a truly unique experience better than a local can. So to all of my Insiders who have helped out on this project, my sincere gratitude to you all also.

For more information on how you can support our communities who are doing it tougher than you (and I am not just talking about the human kind), take a look at Rural Aid, Farm Army, WWF Australia, Port Macquarie Koala Hospital or the RSPCA. (Image courtesy of Science for Students).