SOCIAL media continues to fuel strong global interest in the South East as captivating images of the region’s natural wonders are shared across popular applications.
Picturesque landmarks such as the Blue Lake and Umpherston Sinkhole are tailor-made for photo-sharing platforms such as Instagram and while the content aims to generate “likes” for the account holder, the region is experiencing a positive spin-off from the posts.
Limestone Coast Local Government Association tourism development manager Biddie Shearing said the tourism industry was not immune from the ever-evolving technological world, welcoming the “new era” of promotion.
“Instagram has been good for our part of the world because we do have these spectacular sights,” Ms Shearing said.
“Then you have a whole suite of families traveling around Australia in a caravan and documenting it all on Facebook.
“They are just a typical family sharing their experiences online and that is of benefit to a region like ours.”
It is through online channels Sydney visitor Amanda Third was able to uncover all the region had to offer during her recent two-week stay.
“There are many places to explore within the area and through the internet I found a real sense of how rich the geology and nature is.
“It was also easy to locate places to find to eat and the many great resources we were able to utilise.”
In the region for work, Ms Third visited the Blue Lake, Naracoorte Caves and a wind farm, but was captivated by Umpherston Sinkhole.
“I love how all the foliage covers itself in layers,” she said.
“It feels almost as though I am in a fantasy world.
“I have never been to a sinkhole of this scale before and it is really amazing.”
Ms Third said she has seen “smaller versions” but nothing like the Umpherston Sinkhole.
“It is outstanding,” she said.
“I have traveled to many different places as I am quite lucky with my work but still have never seen something like this.
“My work takes me far and wide but this is the first time we have really explored this corner of South Australia.”
Promotion of the Limestone Coast also continues to grow through traditional channels with Ms Shearing fielding 16 media requests in the few months leading up to summer, a sharp climb from the usual ‘four or five’.
“We have been inundated with media wanting to do stories on our particular part of the world,” she said.
“The ghost mushrooms near Glencoe is really one of those hooks and the response is just incredible.
“Umpherston Sinkhole still wows the pants off anybody who comes here.
“Then there is the Blue Lake and now Kilsby Sinkhole is helping put us on the map too.
“There are a lot of little stories about businesses outside of Mount Gambier too that have unique experiences like camel rides in Robe.”
Ms Shearing said the region also continued to pop-up in quirky formats, such as a recent episode of the television game show Pointless.
Contestants were required to decipher a series of anagrams which related to Australian cities, with Geranium Tomb – or Mount Gambier – going unsolved.
Program hosts Dr Andrew Rochford and Mark Humphries quipped that Mount Gambier was now a “must visit” destination before sharing some facts about the city.
Ms Shearing encouraged the game show presenters to visit the city, offering to give them a tour of the region’s attractions.
“We need to embrace and leverage opportunities like these as much as we can,” she said.
“We need these advocates outside of Mount Gambier to get people to come in and if these presenters could be those people we could potentially influence, then why not.”
