Glasshouse Country Tours offers unique experiences for locals and tourists
IT wasn’t the easiest start in business for a hopeful new tourism operator.
At the start of 2020 Peachester’s Judy Tomlinson had just completed her first Glasshouse Country Tours bus trip when the government announced the nation was going into an unprecedented lockdown.
That’s a baptism of fire for anyone, let alone a first time sole business owner.
As it transpired, the hole the tourism industry – and Judy – had to dig out of was deep and challenging to say the least.
But Judy dug in, and fast forward three years, Glasshouse Country Tours has bounced back in large part by gathering support within the community to not only stabilise the business but to get it growing again.
Utilising the expertise of Bert Post from ITM projects, who has built a custom online booking system, it is now a breeze for both tourists and locals to book a tour.
While Richard Barrett from Solution Driven has helped behind the scenes with critical bookkeeping and accounting to help keep the financials in check.
Former Glasshouse Chamber of Commerce president, Jenny Broderick, and current vice president, Steph Shipman, have offered mentorship and personal and professional support to her business endeavours. Jane Cluff from Felicity Jane Digital built Judy’s website in 2020 and now supports her through various digital updates. “These Glasshouse Country locals make it possible for this one-person operation to function and plan ahead,” Judy said.
“I can get on with the work of bringing visitors to the region to meet local farmers and other businesses, and to help locals explore and get value from living in this amazing community.”
Judy has a wide range of different bus tour experiences people can book to get the best out of what the Glasshouse Country region has to offer. The Glasshouse Explorer tour, which has two- and four-hour bookings available, gives a general overview of what the region is all about, including its history.
“The two-hour tours help guests find their way around the region and learn about the many places to visit when they return to explore in more detail,” she said.
“The four-hour tour gives a more comprehensive tour and includes morning tea and an exploration of the back roads, villages of Glasshouse Country and the farm gate sales.” The Chamber of Commerce Glasshouse Country Farm Trail allows people to book to travel to visit farms and local eateries, to support businesses.
If you can’t make it to the farm trail, Judy offers weekly ‘Meet Our Farmers’ tours for groups up to six people, to visit farms, meet the farmers and learn about and buy local produce.
Judy is also launching Christmas shopping tours this November and December, which gives patrons the chance to buy handmade products directly from the artisans who create them, to take the stress out of shopping.
“Groups are encouraged to book a tour for their end of year break up and fundraising opportunities. Individuals and smaller groups can book to shop and meet new people,” she said.
Another great service Glasshouse Country Tours offers is support to local B&B operators and their guests. Visitors due to arrive too early for check in can book a tour to make use of the time.
They may like to extend their stay and fill a day with exploring the region. A pickup service from the train station to the B&B is also an option.
To find out more, visit https://glasshousecountrytours.com.au/ or follow Judy on Facebook and Instagram at Glasshouse Country Tours.
kirra@gcnews.com.au
