Take time to live like a tourist in the Hastings during holiday season

The Christmas/new year break is a perfect time to do just that.

While tourists flock to the area, there is no reason why locals with some time on their hands can’t enjoy what the region has to offer.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council group manager Liesa Davies encourages locals to explore the great places in the region which they may not have seen before.

“We know locals know and love a lot of our great tourism assets but often they don’t venture afield to the hidden gems,” she said.

People can explore the hidden gems along coast and hinterland, discover national parks and state forests or do a spot of boutique shopping.

Options in the great outdoors include taking a walk to admire the cliffs of Point Perpendicular, the main feature of Kattang Nature Reserve in the Camden Haven, or bushwalking and birdwatching at Boorganna Nature Reserve near Comboyne.

And that is just for starters.

“We are encouraging people who have time off work to get out and explore all the great places in the region,” Ms Davies said.

There was value in supporting local businesses, she said, and locals could also spread the word to visitors and encourage others to explore the region.

More information is available at the Greater Port Macquarie Visitor Information Centre at the Glasshouse, the iKew Visitor Information Centre and through the Port Macquarie info website.

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