Brewarrina Shire Destination Management Plan Brewarrina Shire destination management plan | Page 3

1. INTRODUCTION
Brewarrina Shire has an emerging tourism sector. Located on the Barwon River between
Lightning Ridge and Bourke, Brewarrina is an ideal location for travellers to break their journey,
with travellers stopping to look at the internationally significant Brewarrina Fish Traps (Baiame’s
Ngunnhu), visit the Aboriginal Cultural Museum and take a tour, call into the Visitor Information
Centre and explore the town. The Barwon River is a major attraction, with the river upstream of
the Brewarrina Weir being perennial and providing the opportunity for fishing, boating and water
sports year-round. Brewarrina forms the eastern end of the Darling River Run outback touring
route and provides some of the best (if not the best) riverside camping sites along the Darling –
Barwon River. Goodooga, in the north of the Shire is poised to see an increase in travellers. The
sealing of the Goodooga Road, the new hot artesian baths, the re-opening of the hotel and
improvements to the Culgoa National Park will encourage travellers to explore the northern part
of the Shire, with the opportunity to ‘pull’ them south to Brewarrina.
The on-going development of the tourism sector is a priority of Brewarrina Shire Council and the
Shire community, with tourism recognised as having the potential to:
 Grow and diversify the local economy, reducing its dependence on agriculture and building
resilience.
 Bring ‘new’ dollars into the local economy, helping to sustain and retain local businesses and
services.
 Create employment.
 Strengthen the local community and build pride and confidence.
 Improve the quality of life.
 Retain existing and attracting new businesses and residents.
 Raise the profile of the Shire, generate awareness and change perceptions.
Council is a key driver of, and stakeholder in, the tourism sector. Council owns and operates the
Brewarrina Visitor Information Centre, owns the Brewarrina Caravan Park and the Goodooga hot
artesian pool, and has a significant investment in the venues, infrastructure and facilities that
underpin visitation. It also supports events and activities and actively markets and promotes the
Shire.
In accordance with Federal and State Government policy, Brewarrina Shire Council is adopting a
‘destination management’ approach to developing the visitor economy.
1
BREWARRINA SHIRE DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2019 - 2022