Western Tiers - Mt Roland - Tourism

[steveh72]

The one thing that has struck me from growing up in a tourist town in Vic (Echuca) and moving to Tassie a couple of years ago is that hardly any shops are open in Tassie on weekends.

It seems at first glance that whilst Tassie would like the tourist dollar it doesn't like the effort associated with it. This is not just a Sheffield thing.

Late night shopping in Launceston (common place on the mainland) apart from K Mart in Launceston just doesn't exist. Whilst my co-workers talk about quality of life, I just think about the lost sales as I can't make it into the CBD during working hours.

Just me two cents worth.

Cheers

Stev e

Just my two cents worth.

[NickD]

Writing from South America.

Our service standard is very hit and miss and some attitudes towards tourists is very dissappointing. On the whole I´d like to think we´re pretty good, warm and welcoming but after being in Patagonia for 3 months I can tell you that we are a long long long way behind other parts of the world.

I´m glad that some things are being done to boost tourism to these areas, I have long wondered why people que for views of Cradle Mountain and drive past Mt Roland without a second glance! Hopefully these areas look to work together to build the entire area (tourism wise) up in general!!

[Drifting]

I agree Nick- especially considering that Mt Roland is a lot more accessible to the coast than Cradle. But before any development occurs, people around here need to get a basic understanding of how tourism works. Passive efforts such as having murals is all fine and dandy, but if you want people to stay and spend you need to have a willingness as a community to make an effort to be hospitable, including having a bakery open regularly, and other absolute bare minimums.

I can imagine cable car investors visiting the town they are expected to spend $60,000,000, and not even able to get palatable takeaway. This whole dicussion (meaning in the Sheffield community, not on here), is a *&%$#! joke.

Not that I want to see it developed either, but Deloraine is in a much better head space than Sheffield for this sort of thing. For that matter, Mole Creek is probably the best of the lot, considering the size of the town.

[taswegian]

Drifting is IMO on the nail with those last comments re Deloraine and particularly Mole Creek.
I often visit both and am never short of a good experience.

But 'Tourism' needs to get their head around the nature of "Parochialism".

A few years back I drew up the Kentish area tourist map and being an avid walker wanted to highlight 'The Walls'. But that was in the Mole Creek area and though we ended up with it on the map it stopped at that.
I tried to encourage participation with that area but that only resulted in 'will you display our map of Kentish please'.
I felt sad as it was an area I could see much mutual benefit and now with Western Tiers and Mt Roland both appearing to head along similar paths but through individual approach I see it has the capacity for history to be repeated.
Hence my posting here to tap into at least one area of influence.

We need Spelllcheckk updating - Kentish & Deloraine not liked - now thats not good

[matagi]

The one thing that has struck me from growing up in a tourist town in Vic (Echuca) and moving to Tassie a couple of years ago is that hardly any shops are open in Tassie on weekends.

It seems at first glance that whilst Tassie would like the tourist dollar it doesn't like the effort associated with it. This is not just a Sheffield thing.

Late night shopping in Launceston (common place on the mainland) apart from K Mart in Launceston just doesn't exist. Whilst my co-workers talk about quality of life, I just think about the lost sales as I can't make it into the CBD during working hours.

Just me two cents worth.

Cheers

Stev e

Just my two cents worth.

This is not exclusive to Tasmania. As a resident of a fairly large regional city to the south of Echuca, I have to say that unless you want to shop at the supermarket, then nothing much is open after 6pm during the week and after 3-4pm on Saturday. Aside from the usual big chains, nothing except the hardware stores are open on Sunday.

Personally, I think relying on the tourist dollar is a bad move. It should be an added bonus, not the sole source of income for a town.

[freemandale]

Have been visiting Sheffield/Devonport on and off since 1996 since my parents moved there. Have been at least 2-3 times a year. Love Sheffield but have noticed big changes! The whole area is so much more commercial! Cradle too...!
I have always thought Tas did tourism really well - ie signage, road routes etc. now it seems so much more money grabbing!

But! Much better than SA!

[steveh72]

Yep,

I have to agree with Matagi re relaince on tourist dollar.

Having said that though, I did make the silly error of trying to get a cup of coffee & a bite to eat on a long weekend (Mon) last year in Mole Creek following a walk into Walls and I failed dismally as shops were closed due to public holiday. Perhaps the turn over to be gained didn't justify opening who knows ?????

It is a bit like the chicken & egg argument, do you have the shops open to attract or open the shops once the visitors are there ???

No real easy answer.

Cheers

Steve

[MrWalker]

I did make the silly error of trying to get a cup of coffee & a bite to eat on a long weekend (Mon) last year in Mole Creek following a walk into Walls and I failed dismally as shops were closed due to public holiday.

The same applies during summer when daylight saving allows the visitors to stay out in the bush until after 8pm. Then when you get back to civilisation it is almost impossible to find anywhere open to get some refreshments. I've never understood why shops in these areas close around 5-6pm.

[Drifting]

Yep,

I have to agree with Matagi re relaince on tourist dollar.

Having said that though, I did make the silly error of trying to get a cup of coffee & a bite to eat on a long weekend (Mon) last year in Mole Creek following a walk into Walls and I failed dismally as shops were closed due to public holiday. Perhaps the turn over to be gained didn't justify opening who knows ?????

It is a bit like the chicken & egg argument, do you have the shops open to attract or open the shops once the visitors are there ???

No real easy answer.

Cheers

Steve

I think that new coffee shop on the way to Mole Creek Caves NP is open often- it's supposed to be good.

[steveh72]

Hi drifiting,

Is it after the turn off to the caves???

I think I have seen it, I will have to give it a go.

Thanks for the advice

Cheers

Steve

[taswegian]

I'll vouch for that place.
Bit over a km along the Mayberry Road and well before the caves.
http://www.marakoopacoffee.com.au/
Magnificent views of the Tiers. Steamy weather and low clouds can make for fascinating way to idle the time and enjoy the tucker.

[corvus]

Mole Creek Pub caters for all including a play area for children and they serve coffee and snacks even on public holidays
corvus

[steveh72]

Thanks Gerry,

I must admit as I had the kids with me I did not give the pub a go.

Cheers

Steve