News
11 April, 2025
Somerset coming into the tourism spotlight
AHEAD of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, Somerset Council and its tourism arm, Experience Somerset, will leverage any opportunities to strengthen and promote the region’s tourism sector.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the region had enormous potential as a tourist hotspot with its prime location just an hour from Brisbane. “We’re committed to putting Somerset on the map, and our support for the tourism industry was demonstrated at two recent events,” he said.
“We really punch above our weight and provide some truly memorable experiences for visitors,” Cr Wendt said. “The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Lake Somerset and Lake Wivenhoe bring thousands of people to the region every year and we have art galleries in almost every town, beautiful camping spots, rolling hills, picturesque backdrops, historic buildings and, of course, the elusive Yowie.”
Council was one of the major sponsors for Legends of Beef, held at the Toogoolawah Showgrounds on March 29, and hosted a tourism development workshop on April 2.
The Somerset Tourism Development Workshop invited operators from across the region for a free hands-on session and networking opportunity in Esk. The event, organised by Experience Somerset and presented by regional tourism consultants Tilma Group, welcomed operators from across the region.
“Our assets bring people to the region, but it’s our people that are doing the heavy lifting to keep our economy moving – our farmers, our artists, our tourism operators – they give people a reason to stay,” Cr Wendt said.
The workshop was jointly funded by the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
