
Tours a tonic for tough weekend trade in Mundubbera
ON MONDAY through Thursday, Mundubbera's Billabong Motor Inn does roaring trade with tourists and passers-by.
On weekends? Not so much.
"Unless there's something on like campdraft, there's no one in town,” owner Barry Mitchell said.
"Last Easter, you could have fired a shotgun through the town Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday.
"There was no one here.”
The resourceful Mr Mitchell has found a solution.
He began pitching weekend trips to coach companies.
"Coach companies are always looking for somewhere to take people,” Mr Mitchell said.
On Friday, March 1, a coach load of visitors will arrive at the motor inn for a three-night stay.
From there, they will tour the North Burnett and take in the best Gayndah, Eidsvold and Mundubbera have to offer.
In Mundubbera, they will take a driving tour hosted by repository of local knowledge Fred Doessel, where they will visit the Smart Berries blueberry farm and CB Juice factory among other sights, followed by exploring the Regional Art Gallery, Heritage Park and Museum.
In Gayndah, centre manager of the Art Gallery, Susie Capewell, will take the lead on a tour of the town and district, and Cynthia Berthelson will give a machinery demonstration at the Museum.
Finally, in Eidsvold, the group will take in the RM Williams Bush Learning Centre and learn the town's history with the Historical Society.
Mr Mitchell has previously hosted a rock 'n' roll dancing weekend, where the motor inn raised $3200 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which he is repeating again in July.
He also plans to host a line dancing weekend in October.
