Dungog Shire needs more opportunities to help tourists engage with the region - so they don't miss out on all the gems.
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Chair of Dungog Regional Tourism and Paterson Historical Society President Cameron Archer has been applying the term wayfinding - which is now being used in the tourism sector to help people find their way around a town or region - to Paterson and Dungog.
He says balance is the key, and while the area does have some signage it doesn't have enough.
"We're looking at an integrated way of using all different kinds of messages - and there's no one right way - it's about using them as a combination and using technology and traditional means," he said.
"If you've stopped somewhere and you see a sign about where you are you're very likely to go over and have a look at it - if you're interested in it - you're not going to look up an app about it.
"What we're also doing is putting information on Google maps that pops up. So if you look up somewhere on Google maps it will come up. People can really find out about where they are at in one way or another."
So where do we need more signs and who's paying for it?
"There are lots of interesting historic spots that could do with a decent sign. We can see ourselves working with council in doing that - we want to put up signs that we can maintain. We want to work with private companies that want to do apps," he said.
"Some is to do with money. some is to do with relationships and some is to do with Google.
"We don't want to overdo it but we need more than we've got."
Local wayfinding resources include:
Village maps on large signboards in Tucker Park and Kings Wharf Park - these were installed by Paterson Rotary Club working in association with the Historical Society.
Paterson Historic Walk Brochure - this was created as part of the Rotary project.
General signage - there are some signs in the village indicating locations.
App - a company called CYA on the Road has created an App in association with the Paterson Historical Society for a self-guided walk of heritage buildings and points of interest in Paterson village. There are QR codes now on the two large signboards. The Society has also printed a bookmark with the QR code on it. The direct link to the Paterson walk is:
Website - the Society and Dungog Regional Tourism have worked with a company called Go Drivin to enable them to set up a website for walks around Paterson, drives around the district, other villages and Dungog. https://www.godrivin.com.au/#/
Book- the Society has published a book, Glovebox Guide to the Paterson Valley which has a map and information about all the localities and villages. It is available from the Museum or on line. https://www.patersonhistory.org.au/books.htm
Dungog Region drives and information - Dungog Regional Tourism has created a series of brochures which are available on the visit dungog website. https://www.visitdungog.com.au/brochures/
The Great Country Drives showcases four drives around Dungog Shire - Great All Rounder (71km), Great Country Wander (56km), Great Forest Adventure (117km) and Great Mountain Adventure (64km). Just google Great Country Drives Dungog Shire and a pdf maps are available for download.