Main showcase for attractions

GEMBROOK is the latest town to join the growing number of areas adopting tourism information centres in the hills.
An information centre to help promote tourist attractions in the township will now be available at Charlottes on Main.
This comes after Emerald took its first steps towards boosting tourism in the hills in May with an information centre opening at the Suitably Mellow Cafe.
The centre at Charlottes on Main has been established in association with Dandenong Ranges Tourism (DRT).
DRT manager Michael Axel said Charlottes on Main was an ideal venue to provide tourism information as it was open seven days a week, had a high profile on the main road and its cafe and gift shop was already well patronised by tourists.
“DRT is particularly pleased that Charlottes has offered to provide this free and much-needed service to visitors.
“Gembrook is an ideal location for a visitors centre as it is a gateway to the Dandenong Ranges for those travelling from the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland tourist spots,” he said.
Charlottes on Main owners Christine Williams and Jenni Summers said they were pleased to be associated with DRT and hoped their involvement would help increase tourism in the area.
“Visitors have said that there is nothing to do in Gembrook – but the problem is really a lack of information about local activities and attractions, including our surrounding bushland and parks,” Ms Summers said.
Ms Williams said that by providing information Charlottes on Main is hoping to change visitors’ perception, and to help ensure Gembrook becomes known as a wonderful destination and a stop-over on the way to other tourist areas.