Located just an hour and a half drive from Melbourne in the Goldfields region, and with petrol prices continually on the rise, Mount Alexander Shire is ideally located to attract people wanting an affordable break. More than 140,000 people pass through Castlemaine and Maldon Visitor Information Centres each year.
Tourism Services Manager, Sheri McKerrow, said with arts and culture, history and heritage, natural attractions, parks and gardens – Castlemaine, Maldon and surrounds provides visitors with a rich and diverse offering.
Mount Alexander Shire Tourism Services Unit works closely with local businesses and event committees, encouraging participation in cooperative marketing initiatives to effectively increase visitor numbers.
“Cooperative marketing is key to good business in regional areas,” Sheri McKerrow said. “Marketing budgets are not huge, and the resources are not always there, so we need to work together to drive the dollar as far as possible.”
The Victorian Goldfields Railway (VGR) is just one local attraction that has been an active participant in cooperative marketing initiatives with the Council through tourism promotions and advertising, and also by creating special packages for visitors with other tourism businesses.
VGR’s Marketing Manager, Gary Aitchison said Mount Alexander Shire refers visitors to the steam train by promoting their activities, and VGR in turn, promotes the Shire’s visitor services through its promotional material.
Originally opened in 1884 as a link between Castlemaine and Maldon, the train serviced rural Victoria through to the 1970’s. No longer a vital link at this time, the line was closed. A rail enthusiast group immediately stepped in to save the line from being dismantled. The Society’s vision was to restore a steam train service to link Castlemaine and Maldon once again.
After 28 years of dedicated work and persistence, this vision was realised with trains now travelling through Box Iron Bark Forest in a region that saw some of the richest gold mining in Australia. The two hour return trip allows passengers to see the engine turned by hand on a traditional turn table, view an historic signal box and see heritage listed buildings along the way.
Gary Aitchison said the train heavily relies on volunteers.
“Volunteers are totally involved with everything from trackwork and rollingstock maintenance to crewing of trains, stations and administration,” he said. “While a small number of paid staff do complement the volunteers, the service would not be possible without them.”
A new upmarket, luxury parlour car has recently been added to the train for visitors wanting to travel in style. VGR also offers Driver Experience packages, where visitors can learn the basics of driving a steam locomotive.
For further information on VGR, visit www.vgr.com.au
