And while some may consider this a good thing, many local business operators are starting to feel the pinch from the highway bypass.

Nambucca Valley Tourism Association (NVTA) chairman Glen Heaton can attest to this current economic downward trend.

“I manage the BIG4 caravan Park here in Nambucca, and I can say that our figures are down tremendously on last year’s from around this time,” Glen said.

The NVTA’s strategic planning committee identified that one of the core problems in geeing up tourism in the Nambucca Valley is getting the word out there to those who’ve never heard of us.

Enter into the fray, their latest spark of genius – the new mobile information trailer.

Watch the official unveiling filmed by NVTA Media Executive Caelan Smith

The trailer cost the NVTA $800 to purchase and is loaded with colourful and locally produced and printed books, brochures and maps advertising the natural and historical wealth of the Valley.

“Because the Nambucca Valley Visitor Guides were done by locals, they’ve got really great information in them, including – and this is my personal favourite – the ‘Nambucket list’,” Glen said.

“People often prefer flicking through them to googling, and they make great souvenirs.

“While the maps are handy when GPS proves to be less than reliable.”

The trailer itself is emblazoned with beautiful aerial panoramas by AirVids’ Tony Vidler, and printed by Valla’s Prickle Patch Signs – all for generously discounted rates.

“We’ve tried to cut the parochialism out by including everyone in the photos used,” Glen said.

“Our idea was for it to be bright, cheery, and fresh.”

And the rolling info wagon is destined for festivals far and wide.

It made its official debut at the VW Spectacular at the Showgrounds this past weekend, and is already lined up for the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Manned by enthusiastic volunteers, it will also make appearances at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the Brisbane Ekka, the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, the Guyra Lamb and Potato festival and the Armidale Show, to name just a few.

Mayor Rhonda Hoban helped unveil the trailer at ANZAC park last Wednesday and was glowing with praise for the initiative,

“To me the beauty of this is being able to take the information to the tourists, rather than wait for them to come to us,” she said.

When the van is not roadtripping it’ll be stationed in tactical tourist locations around the Valley in an effort to let tourists (and locals) in on more of the Valley’s secret hotspots. 

“We see this is as a tool to work in with the Visitor Information Centre. By being mobile, it’ll be able to reach other people who perhaps don’t stop in there,” Glen said.

But the trailer isn’t the only initiative the NVTA has been focussing on lately.

“In addition to the trailer, NVTA has a Facebook and Instagram presence promoting the incredible Valley [Follow @NambuccaValley],” media executive Caelan Smith said. 

“I am very excited to see all the hard work of volunteers and local businesses come together. The trailer will be of benefit to our members and the Valley as a whole.”