Launch of Chittering Valley Tourist Way

17/11/93

The Bullsbrook/Chittering Valley region now has its own tourist drive.

Tourism Minister Colin Barnett today launched the new Chittering Valley Tourist Way, which heralds the region as an area of scenic interest and links the existing Swan Valley and Midland tourists drives.

Mr Barnett launched the tourist drive while visiting Bullsbrook tourist attraction 'The Maze' to open a new koala house and to welcome the arrival of its first two residents, koalas Dinky and Ozzie.

The koalas join a host of other fauna at The Maze, including emus and kangaroos.  The two male koalas will have the company of two female koalas, Di and Vegemite, early next year.

More than 8,000 eucalypt trees were planted at The Maze five years ago to cater for the koalas.  The koala enclosure features an observation area where the koalas can be seen in their natural habitat.

The first maze to be established, in 1981, was made from timber panelling.  Another three hedge mazes are growing and expected to be open to the public within 18 months.

Mr Barnett said The Maze and new koala house, as well as the many other attractions along the new tourist drive, would be poised to take advantage of the increasing interest in nature-based tourism and adventure holidays.

He said the 70km Chittering Valley Tourist Way - route 359 - started at Wanneroo Road and followed Pinjar and Neaves roads before heading north along the Great Northern Highway.

Mr Barnett said the scenic route travelled through orchards, vineyards and wildflower regions as well as areas where rare and endangered animals, such as the Western Swamp Tortoise, had been found.  It also passed other tourist attractions such as the Golden Grove Citrus Farm and Cameleer Park camel farm.

The Minister said tourist drives were an important part of tourism in the State.

He said the Western Australian Tourism Commission, Main Roads and the Royal Automobile Club worked in co-operation with local tourist associations to determine where special tourist drives would be marked.

A booklet mapping the tourists drives in WA is due to be released next month.

Media contact:  Carolyn Vicars - 222 9686