CHRISTINE Weston never imagined her Animals on Bikes idea would end up featuring in a travel show watched by 10 million people around the world.
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However the idea that simply started out as a way to keep children entertained brought the crew from Getaway to Cumnock yesterday to showcase the west’s unique tourist trail.
“It is something a bit different,” said Getaway producer Anita Lane.
“People like experience when they travel.
“It is less about ticking something off a list but more taking something away from it.”
The crew from the show, which is watched by 1.5 million people around Australia, chose to feature Cabonne Shire’s small towns and villages as a great experience for people travelling west.
During yesterday’s journey host Jules Lund told the Central Western Daily he was enjoying the unique trail and meeting the people along the way.
“The people are sweet and so is everything they are offering,” he said, having previously stopped at Molong’s Gelato Factory as well as sampling some of the homemade sweets in Cumnock.
“The Animals on Bikes trail is also a great story,” he said.
“I commend people like Christine.”
The Getaway crew took the opportunity to showcase the relatively unknown gems of western New South Wales after Cumnock resident and former Getaway researcher Felicity Armstrong recommended the area to the television show’s staff, who were more than happy to catch up with an old colleague in her home town.
“She would always talk about life on the farm and how beautiful it was out here,” Mr Lund said.
Although the episode is still a while away from airing, Cumnock residents have already noticed their village beginning to boom over the last year.
“We are already noticing a huge increase in traffic and people coming through and businesses are noticing an increase in patronage,” said Cumnock resident Nicole Mercer , who moved there 12 months ago from Melbourne as part of the Rent-A-Farmhouse scheme.
“It is great to showcase our little village.
“There is more to Australia than driving down the coast or on a highway.”
Cumnock Progress Committee member Graham White says Getaway’s visit is proof the town is progressing.
“It is such a progressive little town,” he said.
“Anything we do the town gets behind.
“We are only going to get bigger and better and bring in more people.”
erin.somerville@ruralpress.com
