KEY STORIES SELECTED

One of the key outcomes of the developing the Sapphire Coast Heritage Tourism Strategy is the identification and development of three ‘heroic stories’ for heritage tourism in the Sapphire Coast. Feedback and input from the Sapphire Coast Tourism Cultural Heritage Working Group and other regional stakeholders throughout the first two phases of the project have identified the following hero stories and other supporting regional stories for the Sapphire Coast. The selection of the three heroic stories was based on an assessment

of the heritage stories and experiences against an agreed set of selection criteria.

Heroic Stories

• Killers of Eden –Amazing tales of humans and killer whales working together; incorporating both Indigenous and European culture and folklore and linking directly to some of the region’s most popular tourism ventures.

• In the Shadow of the Mountains – the geological and ecological history of three mountains and the fertile Bega Valley, the mysteries of special natural places such as Gulaga, Mt Imlay and Biamanga and the connection of land

and culture.

• Meeting of the Waters – the geological processes (meeting of two ocean currents) that have created the abundance of sea life along the coast. This story links to science, research, and both Indigenous and European stories.

Regional Stories

• Naturally Inspired – tales of a creative energy stemming from nature; inspiring music, arts and culture; and events (e.g. Four Winds, Folk fest, etc) starting with the early poets.

• The Bundian Way – an ancient Indigenous trade route thought to be one of the oldest trade routes on the planet linking the coast to the mountains.

• The Tyranny of Distance – an unspoilt, protected and geographically secluded stretch of coastline home to great walks, ship wrecks, scenic drives (eg Tilba to Tathra) and a history of human courage (e.g. the sailors from Preservation Island and their journey to Port Jackson).

• Out of sight, Out of mind – how Eden was to become the Nation’s capital and illegal trade and activities flourished away from the colonies.

• Inspiring Endeavours – the history of trade and enterprise including indigenous trails (e.g. Bundian Way), the Matthew Munn story of Merimbula as a corn mill and enterprises such as Bega cheese.

• Against all Odds – the villages and communities of the gold fields, heroic tales of Indigenous and settler survival, and how nature continues to shape the landscape.