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Blayney Makes Top 50 Small Towns

We were delighted to discover this week that Blayney has been selected as one of Australia’s 50 best small towns according to a new marketing report by a national travel company.  Discountmyflights.com.au searched Australia’s nooks and crannies for the most alluring towns, rich in culture, mouthwatering eats, local wines, heritage, picture-perfect scenery, funky shops and tree-lined streets. With over 172 towns evaluated, Blayney made the top 50 list. 

For those of us who live in the Blayney and our historic villages, we don’t really need a report to tell us how great it is here but this is a worthwhile accolade and it’s wonderful for our town to be recognised in this way.  The report has been announced to media outlets throughout metropolitan and regional Australia and online.  No doubt this activity will further promote Blayney and villages and place our region on the map as a destination of choice. 

The report looked at towns across Australia with a population of under 80,000 so we were up against towns that could have been 10 times larger in population than Blayney. There are a few others in the Central NSW region who were also named including Orange and Lithgow. The results are based on a month long contest with submissions being analysed to uncover “the most irresistible, exotic, historic and postcard-worthy small towns in Australia.”

The Blayney submission was compiled with input from the Blayney Council team, The Cottage Volunteers, community groups and even comments from our Facebook friends who revealed why they believe Blayney deserved to be on the list.  Analysts advised our submission did a wonderful job of selling our small town and helping travellers learn why they should be visiting, and why those who have, love to return.

Some of the unique qualities why people should visit include: the four distinct seasons and natural beauty, a cool climate (it often snows in winter) and a warm welcome from local people who have called this area home for almost 200 years.  Blayney offers boutique shopping, cool climate wines, fresh produce, good coffee, community events, picturesque countryside and monthly farmers’ markets.  Attractions include the Blayney Wind farm on Carcoar dam with it’s fishing and camping.

The report says, ”It’s easy to marvel at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s beaches backed by skyscrapers, but travellers who only explore Australia’s largest cities are missing out on what truly makes the country tick. It’s Australia’s small towns and villages that showcase the country’s diverse culture.”

It’s an honour to be acknowledged in this way – yet further recognition of the great people we have here, divine landscape, experiences and a warm welcome for which we are fast becoming known for. 

Blayney Shire Council will continue to work with local residents, businesses and community groups through the delivery of the Village Enhancement Plan, The Blayney 2020 Master Plan and Operational Plan 2016/17 to build an even better place to live and visit in the future. 

Congratulations to “The Cottage” Volunteers
Whilst on the subject of tourism, it’s worth highlighting that Blayney’s Visitor Information Centre, fondly known as “The Cottage”, celebrated it’s 20 year anniversary last weekend with a commemorative lunch for the volunteers. The event saw guests from the Tourism Industry attend from near and far. Also present to show their support were Blayney’s Mayor Scott Ferguson, Councillors and former Blayney Mayor, Mayor John Davis of Orange City Council.

It was a proud day for the volunteers who received much deserved recognition for all their hard work. Fifteen volunteers were awarded certificates for their current contribution with an outstanding nine volunteers receiving gifts of appreciation for 20 years of service.

Council would like to congratulate all the volunteers and thank them for a job well.

Last modified: 30 Jul 2020

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