Visitors and tourists visiting the Huon Valley can now immerse themselves in an audio tour that provides a rare insight into the valley’s history, its people, and places.
Using geo-located technology, the audio tour includes interviews with a diverse range of locals and allows listeners to go on a journey and discover what the towns have to offer, Mayor Doyle said.
“The Huon Valley Council partnered with Storytowns after successfully attaining a grant through the Regional Arts Fund for a project called Storytime – Local Stories from Local People.”
Mayor Doyle said by downloading the app onto their mobile devices, visitors and tourists can enhance their experience of the Houn Valley as they discover hidden gems, untold stories, and local characters.
“The audio tour provides them with unique insights into local arts and culture in the form of stories told by local people.”
Featuring four locations – Dover, Cygnet, Huonville and Geeveston – listeners learn why the Huon River is the lifeblood of the area, the best gourmet food and cidery stops, a B&B with a difference, and much more.
Mayor Doyle said as well as encouraging more rural and regional tourism that in turn boosts our local economy, the Storytime Project preserves local history, stories, and shines a spotlight on local people.
“How the audio tour works is via the Storytowns app. The geo-locator feature automatically plays before visitors drive near a featured town, encouraging visitors to stop, explore, stay, and spend in the town.
“Users can also listen while at home which can prompt interest in the area and entice them to actively consider visiting the location.”
Mayor Doyle said the initiative taps into the high number of visitors who come to Tasmania as independent self-driving travellers.
“Results of the Tasmanian Visitor Survey for the period 2015-2017 show that 80 per cent of the visitors to the Huon Valley region are engaged in self-drive holidays. This is expected to be an ongoing trend. The audio tour is ideal for this kind of traveller.”
The Dover, Cygnet, Huonville and Geeveston townscape podcasts are now available via the Storytowns app or www.storytowns.com.au