Port Stephens will host eight crowd-drawing events throughout May worth a cool $800,000 to the economy.
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While the list includes Karuah Lost Highway Bluegrass Music Festival and King Street Heritage Festival, it’s sports tourism making big yards.
Port Stephens Council general manager Wayne Wallis credits the quality of Port’s sports infrastructure.
“When you combine our natural assets, accommodation options, extensive food and beverage choices and world class sporting all within two and a half hours of Sydney, you get something every sporting team wants – a serious competitive advantage,” he said.
“It’s also an opportunity for us to showcase our beautiful home to a national and international audience.”
The full line-up includes:
- The Knights Cup Carnival, bringing the best young Rugby League talent from the Hunter and Northern regions to Salamander Bay Sports Complex – April 30.
- Karuah Lost Highway Bluegrass Music Festival – May 5-7.
- Guns and Hoses Charity Surfing Competition, where 150 Police, Ambulance and Fire Rescue personnel will compete at One Mile Beach – May 9-10.
- 2017 NSW Country Junior Rugby Championships, which will bring over 200 competitors to the Tomaree Peninsula – May 13-14.
- King Street Heritage Festival – May 20.
- Port Stephens Triathlon, which will welcome 1500 competitors, many from outside the area – May 20.
- Disability Sports Australia’s Multi-bowl Championships, a 6-day tournament at the Raymond Terrace Bowling Club – May 21-26.
- Port to Port MTB, a unique race bringing competitors from across the Hunter region and further afield to ride from Port Stephens to Newcastle - May 25.
Mr Wallis the growth of these opportunities was in no small part due to the council’s investment and sponsorship of events and sporting infrastructure.
“Events provide valuable social and economic benefits to the greater Port Stephens community particularly during off-peak times when tourism numbers start to decline,” Mr Wallis said.
