Events to boost Goldfields tourism, with strategy to bring out their full potential

The new events strategy for the Goldfields region will aim to boost visitor numbers and help signature events reach their full potential, according to Goldfields tourism development manager Donna Malec.

Ms Malec said research from recent years showed three-quarters of Australian event attendees would not have visited the destinations they did if not for the event they were attending.

She said for half of first-time visitors to a destination, and two-thirds of repeat visitors, an event was the main reason for visiting a destination and this was something the Goldfields Destination Events Strategy aimed to capitalise on.

“An event is a really good way to bring new visitors to a town and get them to experience the Goldfields while they’re here,” Ms Malec said.

“Events also build community. They support charities (by) providing opportunities to raise funds, they bring together remote residents young and old, expand social networks, encourage social cohesion and improve liveability in remote communities.”

The strategy outlines three priorities for the seven Goldfields local government areas, with the first two being to provide centralised support and leveraging of all Goldfields events, and to provide targeted support to maximise destination-based events.

While there is the opportunity for new events in the region, the strategy largely focuses on the support and growth opportunities for existing events.

“It makes a lot of sense to strengthen the events that we already have and keep the events that we’ve got,” Ms Malec said.

“We’ve got such a large array of events, and through the whole of the region — not just in Kalgoorlie-Boulder — every town does something different.

“If we can just strengthen those events and add to it, I believe that will be better, but that’s not to say new events can’t be added to the calendar.”

Ms Malec said the accommodation crisis did limit the potential of some events.

She said the document also highlighted the ability to utilise events workers from across the State, with experts available outside of the region who could help local events reach their potential.

“I’m always interested in trying to upskill anybody who lives in town,” Ms Malec said.

The strategy’s third priority is to develop a signature outback music festival somewhere in the Goldfields to attract new visitors and big name performers.

The plan outlines actions from 2024 to 2026 and calls for a centralised calendar of events across the entire region to ensure events do not clash, and encourages more promotion online with newsletters and on shire websites.

It suggests more directed and considered funding support is needed for various events to ensure they are sustainable and can reach their potential, with help for grants applications also highlighted as a need.

Immersive experiences, cultural experiences and sports tourism were all tipped as trends which could be capitalised on within the region.