Monday 13 July Akaroa Itinerary;

Ideal for Visitor Information Centre Staff and local visitor businesses wishing to familiarise themselves with Little River and Akaroa attractions for the 2009/2010 tourist / cruise season

0930 Depart Lyttelton Information Centre, Port Link tour mini coach and Lyttelton Tours & Shuttle mini coach

1030 Arrive  Little River Info Centre familiarise - meet Julia & Ron Little River Information Centre Managers

View the Little River Gallery Exhibition / Cafe

Depart by 1130

Arrive Akaroa 1210

Meet, view and receive updates with Sandra Innes Manager of the Akaroa Information Centre 1215-1pm/ Holly from Akaroa District Promotions to update us on promotional activities

Lunch at By Jove Café / or equivalent, Beach Street

2pm view Museum & Linton Mosaic gardens hosted by Simon in Josie's absence /   view Main Wharf new pontoons, and Dolphin Cruise departure points.

Options also include Lumiere Day Spa treatment and or numerous galleries to view.

3.15pm depart Akaroa Information Centre

4.45pm  Arrive in Lyttelton

Included is transport to and from Lyttelton Harbour Information Centre,  coffee/lunch own expense

Complimentary entry for Linton Mosaic Gardens and the Akaroa Museum has been provided by Simon and Linda.

Visitor Group Meeting Report – Orton Bradley Park – 08 June 1230

Present: Karen, Rod, Wendy, Ian, Pauline, & Robyn.

Adderley Head walking track is now closed for walkers. –Pauline/ Mt Evans B & B

Ian Luxton updated us on the Park activities.

They have a wedding venue market, and aim to grow the wedding business.

A house (Simpsons Cottage) has been donated and will be transported from it’s present site across the road. This will be an additional venue for events at the park

Camping currently for campervans only as they are self contained, applying for camping ground consent.

Ian talked about their 10 year plan including:

10 hectares converted to native blocks.

Increase in species of trees.

Identifying main species(130)

The park’s use in education, sustainability- Green Globe branding

The Park being a historic site, transport, farming, sawmilling, trees

Planning on subdividing land for income needs.

Redesigning the playground. Arbour Day planting

Outdoor education centre

Main users are:

Families and young children – picnic groups

Older generation- groups

Finding local accommodation for event individuals and groups (weddings etc). – recommend Ian contracts the Info Centre ( the updated website will assist)

Horse riding operates as a separate business ( Penny)

A commercial farm operates in the park. (not organic)

Ian and the board apply for grants, and submit funding applications. Under funded.

Part income from park entrance fees charged.

Spring Festival with stalls is a possibility, the park board are happy to provide the venue with admission fees ,but not manage an event. Robyn undertook to look into this opportunity. We discussed the previous spring event it was a great attraction.

Festival of Walking at Easter 2009 okay to be included- they had good numbers on the Sunday. 1,000 visited per day in Labour Weekend last year.

Public Holidays are popular times to visit the Park.

1,000 visited per day in Labour weekend last year.

A new Festival of Walking date in October would be suitable, could include a Rhododendron walk.

General discussions on promotions:

Visitor Guide-Rod is selling space now – special membership offer.

Website – main opportunity for our group.- Chris is developing.

Food Walk, Include Stoddarts Cottage team in our meetings, Café map attractions. Increased late night ferry days and hours. Networking a request to increase the numbers of our monthly meet attendees.