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Large artworks installed at along Great Victorian Rail Trail with $1.2M funding from Regional Tourism Investment Fund

Large public artworks along the Great Victorian Rail Trail, supported by the Victorian government, enhance the trail's beauty and cultural significance, attracting more visitors to the region.

By news@gippsland - 13th June 2023 - Back to News

A series of large public artworks newly installed along the Great Victorian Rail Trail is expected to draw thousands more visitors to the iconic destination already known for its beauty, thanks to Victorian government support. The project has been supported with $1.2 million from the Regional Tourism Investment Fund and delivered through a collaborative partnership between Mansfield, Murrindindi and Mitchell Shires.

The Regional Tourism Investment Fund aims to enhance tourism infrastructure, attract visitors, stimulate economic growth, and create employment opportunities

Artwork installations

Seven large artworks have been installed at various locations from Tallarook to Mansfield through the heritage listed Goulburn River Valley along with a series of 20 scar trees by Taungurung artist and Elder Uncle Mick Harding. The trail-long scar tree works share stories and symbols of the Taungurung people, the Traditional Owners of the land along the trail and a large part of central Victoria.

The artworks add to the natural beauty of the trail, which travels from Tallarook to Mansfield through the heritage listed Goulburn River Valley and is surrounded by dramatic views of majestic rivers, lakes and mountains. New wayfinding and interpretive signs have been installed to improve the visitor experience and share the stories of First Nations peoples to connect walkers and riders with sites along the route.

Encouraging more visitors

The Great Victorian Rail Trail is a multi-use accessible trail that can be experienced on foot, bike or horse and crosses Mitchell, Murrindindi and Mansfield Shires. It is the longest rail trail in Victoria and features the 201-metre-long Cheviot Tunnel built in 1889. Mansfield, Murrindindi and Mitchell Shires attracted 2.6 million domestic day trip and overnight visitors last year, who stayed 2.5 million nights and contributed $683 million in visitor expenditure to the local economy.

The Regional Tourism Investment Fund is helping entice more visitors to Victoria's regions, driving private investment and accelerating the recovery of the tourism sector.

Pictures from Regional Development Victoria website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com