MORE tourists are discovering Balranald, with an increase in visitation of more than 400 percent in January, compared to last year’s figures.
With the Balranald Discovery Centre now open to the public, visitors and locals alike have flocked to the new interpretive information facility.
Visitation was up 401 percent in January compared to figures from the same time last year, jumping from 158 to nearly 800 people.
About 7 percent were international visitors, while a majority of visitors — 55 percent — were from within New South Wales and 38 percent were interstate travellers.
Balranald Shire Council tourism coordinator Connie Mallet said locals were also heading to the new centre.
Nearly 190 locals visited the centre — an increase of 596 percent on January 2014.
“Since the new centre opened, usually what is happening is the locals are coming to the cafe as well, it is the new thing,” she said.
“They are early figures, but they are encouraging.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Monday’s Guardian (February 23).
