Hello Yellow: the humble crop spinning tourism gold
Families visiting from India and Pakistan have made the trip to Cornella, a tiny township east of Bendigo in Victoria, to wander through the same field.
Others have travelled from Sydney or Melbourne for the chance to run their hands through blossoms and put their feet in the dirt.
Such is the allure of canola, the green and yellow winter crop getting a new life as a tourist attraction across the country.
Victorian winemaker Brian Spencer saw an opportunity to turn canola into gold when he noticed other farmers asking tourists to stay out of their picturesque paddocks due to damage and biosecurity concerns.
Mr Spencer opened the Cornella Canola Walk near his cellar door at Shiraz Republic vineyard, creating pathways through a crop so visitors can amble among the yellow flowers, take photos and connect with the land.
Approaching the fourth season of the walk, which will operate from late August, Mr Spencer has seen visitor numbers blossom from 700 to 5000 during the six-week flowering period.
International tourists, couples hoping to take romantic photos and city families are among his visitors.
"It's a very immersive experience, that sense of awe and wonder that people get from being in the midst of it," Mr Spencer told AAP.
"Connection with something real is good for the soul; it makes you slow down, reconnect with the ground and the earth.
"It's a gift that the country can give to the city."
While Australia's canola production amounts to more than $4 billion, the CSIRO estimates agritourism could be worth $18.6 billion annually by 2030.
Producers are increasingly embracing attractions like farm stays, roadside stalls, tours and meet-the-producer events to diversify and secure incomes.
A national agritourism summit in Orange, in central western NSW, in August will hear from renowned chef Matt Moran about his gastronomic ventures in the bush and feature tours through orchards and wineries.
Looking to agriculture was the answer for councils hoping boost tourism in the Riverina, NSW's largest canola-growing region.
Temora, Junee and Coolamon shires joined forces to create a canola trail linking the three heritage towns, also featuring hot air balloon rides over the vast yellow plains.
Their venture is called Hello Yellow, inviting people on "a journey of joy" on the canola trail.
Urban visitors are increasingly expressing interest in knowing where their food comes from, Temora council's Craig Sinclair said.
"There's an idyllic, romanticised idea that we have with the countryside and the benefits of country living and being surrounded by nature," he told AAP.
"It's that closer proximity to where your food is being produced because ... everything else in society, and in life, is pulling us further and further away from that."
Those who have tiptoed through canola in Cornella share the same sentiments.
Mr Spencer hopes greater exposure to rural life helps bridge the city-country divide.
"Understanding the challenges, the care and the stewardship that's involved in agriculture ... builds some trust and respect that's good for our industries," he said.
"If people have a glass of wine or a chat with the people that made it, or talk to the farmer, that changes things.
"It builds a connection with the country."
Two couples are flying more than 13,000km to rural Australia to have their wedding photos taken in a golden paddock nestled between a country road and a babbling creek.
Families visiting from India and Pakistan have made the trip to Cornella, a tiny township east of Bendigo in Victoria, to wander through the same field.
Others have travelled from Sydney or Melbourne for the chance to run their hands through blossoms and put their feet in the dirt.
Such is the allure of canola, the green and yellow winter crop getting a new life as a tourist attraction across the country.
Victorian winemaker Brian Spencer saw an opportunity to turn canola into gold when he noticed other farmers asking tourists to stay out of their picturesque paddocks due to damage and biosecurity concerns.
Mr Spencer opened the Cornella Canola Walk near his cellar door at Shiraz Republic vineyard, creating pathways through a crop so visitors can amble among the yellow flowers, take photos and connect with the land.
Approaching the fourth season of the walk, which will operate from late August, Mr Spencer has seen visitor numbers blossom from 700 to 5000 during the six-week flowering period.
International tourists, couples hoping to take romantic photos and city families are among his visitors.
"It's a very immersive experience, that sense of awe and wonder that people get from being in the midst of it," Mr Spencer told AAP.
"Connection with something real is good for the soul; it makes you slow down, reconnect with the ground and the earth.
"It's a gift that the country can give to the city."
While Australia's canola production amounts to more than $4 billion, the CSIRO estimates agritourism could be worth $18.6 billion annually by 2030.
Producers are increasingly embracing attractions like farm stays, roadside stalls, tours and meet-the-producer events to diversify and secure incomes.
A national agritourism summit in Orange, in central western NSW, in August will hear from renowned chef Matt Moran about his gastronomic ventures in the bush and feature tours through orchards and wineries.
Looking to agriculture was the answer for councils hoping boost tourism in the Riverina, NSW's largest canola-growing region.
Temora, Junee and Coolamon shires joined forces to create a canola trail linking the three heritage towns, also featuring hot air balloon rides over the vast yellow plains.
Their venture is called Hello Yellow, inviting people on "a journey of joy" on the canola trail.
Urban visitors are increasingly expressing interest in knowing where their food comes from, Temora council's Craig Sinclair said.
"There's an idyllic, romanticised idea that we have with the countryside and the benefits of country living and being surrounded by nature," he told AAP.
"It's that closer proximity to where your food is being produced because ... everything else in society, and in life, is pulling us further and further away from that."
Those who have tiptoed through canola in Cornella share the same sentiments.
Mr Spencer hopes greater exposure to rural life helps bridge the city-country divide.
"Understanding the challenges, the care and the stewardship that's involved in agriculture ... builds some trust and respect that's good for our industries," he said.
"If people have a glass of wine or a chat with the people that made it, or talk to the farmer, that changes things.
"It builds a connection with the country."
Two couples are flying more than 13,000km to rural Australia to have their wedding photos taken in a golden paddock nestled between a country road and a babbling creek.
Families visiting from India and Pakistan have made the trip to Cornella, a tiny township east of Bendigo in Victoria, to wander through the same field.
Others have travelled from Sydney or Melbourne for the chance to run their hands through blossoms and put their feet in the dirt.
Such is the allure of canola, the green and yellow winter crop getting a new life as a tourist attraction across the country.
Victorian winemaker Brian Spencer saw an opportunity to turn canola into gold when he noticed other farmers asking tourists to stay out of their picturesque paddocks due to damage and biosecurity concerns.
Mr Spencer opened the Cornella Canola Walk near his cellar door at Shiraz Republic vineyard, creating pathways through a crop so visitors can amble among the yellow flowers, take photos and connect with the land.
Approaching the fourth season of the walk, which will operate from late August, Mr Spencer has seen visitor numbers blossom from 700 to 5000 during the six-week flowering period.
International tourists, couples hoping to take romantic photos and city families are among his visitors.
"It's a very immersive experience, that sense of awe and wonder that people get from being in the midst of it," Mr Spencer told AAP.
"Connection with something real is good for the soul; it makes you slow down, reconnect with the ground and the earth.
"It's a gift that the country can give to the city."
While Australia's canola production amounts to more than $4 billion, the CSIRO estimates agritourism could be worth $18.6 billion annually by 2030.
Producers are increasingly embracing attractions like farm stays, roadside stalls, tours and meet-the-producer events to diversify and secure incomes.
A national agritourism summit in Orange, in central western NSW, in August will hear from renowned chef Matt Moran about his gastronomic ventures in the bush and feature tours through orchards and wineries.
Looking to agriculture was the answer for councils hoping boost tourism in the Riverina, NSW's largest canola-growing region.
Temora, Junee and Coolamon shires joined forces to create a canola trail linking the three heritage towns, also featuring hot air balloon rides over the vast yellow plains.
Their venture is called Hello Yellow, inviting people on "a journey of joy" on the canola trail.
Urban visitors are increasingly expressing interest in knowing where their food comes from, Temora council's Craig Sinclair said.
"There's an idyllic, romanticised idea that we have with the countryside and the benefits of country living and being surrounded by nature," he told AAP.
"It's that closer proximity to where your food is being produced because ... everything else in society, and in life, is pulling us further and further away from that."
Those who have tiptoed through canola in Cornella share the same sentiments.
Mr Spencer hopes greater exposure to rural life helps bridge the city-country divide.
"Understanding the challenges, the care and the stewardship that's involved in agriculture ... builds some trust and respect that's good for our industries," he said.
"If people have a glass of wine or a chat with the people that made it, or talk to the farmer, that changes things.
"It builds a connection with the country."
Two couples are flying more than 13,000km to rural Australia to have their wedding photos taken in a golden paddock nestled between a country road and a babbling creek.
Families visiting from India and Pakistan have made the trip to Cornella, a tiny township east of Bendigo in Victoria, to wander through the same field.
Others have travelled from Sydney or Melbourne for the chance to run their hands through blossoms and put their feet in the dirt.
Such is the allure of canola, the green and yellow winter crop getting a new life as a tourist attraction across the country.
Victorian winemaker Brian Spencer saw an opportunity to turn canola into gold when he noticed other farmers asking tourists to stay out of their picturesque paddocks due to damage and biosecurity concerns.
Mr Spencer opened the Cornella Canola Walk near his cellar door at Shiraz Republic vineyard, creating pathways through a crop so visitors can amble among the yellow flowers, take photos and connect with the land.
Approaching the fourth season of the walk, which will operate from late August, Mr Spencer has seen visitor numbers blossom from 700 to 5000 during the six-week flowering period.
International tourists, couples hoping to take romantic photos and city families are among his visitors.
"It's a very immersive experience, that sense of awe and wonder that people get from being in the midst of it," Mr Spencer told AAP.
"Connection with something real is good for the soul; it makes you slow down, reconnect with the ground and the earth.
"It's a gift that the country can give to the city."
While Australia's canola production amounts to more than $4 billion, the CSIRO estimates agritourism could be worth $18.6 billion annually by 2030.
Producers are increasingly embracing attractions like farm stays, roadside stalls, tours and meet-the-producer events to diversify and secure incomes.
A national agritourism summit in Orange, in central western NSW, in August will hear from renowned chef Matt Moran about his gastronomic ventures in the bush and feature tours through orchards and wineries.
Looking to agriculture was the answer for councils hoping boost tourism in the Riverina, NSW's largest canola-growing region.
Temora, Junee and Coolamon shires joined forces to create a canola trail linking the three heritage towns, also featuring hot air balloon rides over the vast yellow plains.
Their venture is called Hello Yellow, inviting people on "a journey of joy" on the canola trail.
Urban visitors are increasingly expressing interest in knowing where their food comes from, Temora council's Craig Sinclair said.
"There's an idyllic, romanticised idea that we have with the countryside and the benefits of country living and being surrounded by nature," he told AAP.
"It's that closer proximity to where your food is being produced because ... everything else in society, and in life, is pulling us further and further away from that."
Those who have tiptoed through canola in Cornella share the same sentiments.
Mr Spencer hopes greater exposure to rural life helps bridge the city-country divide.
"Understanding the challenges, the care and the stewardship that's involved in agriculture ... builds some trust and respect that's good for our industries," he said.
"If people have a glass of wine or a chat with the people that made it, or talk to the farmer, that changes things.
"It builds a connection with the country."
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The price rose to $1,011,000 in June, marking the ninth consecutive month the Olympic city was the second-highest house market by median value among capital cities. House values in Queensland's capital have skyrocketed by 76 per cent since 2020 following a rush of interstate migration in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relocation has resulted in a 9.2 per cent rise in the greater Brisbane population in less than half a decade. June data from property platform Cotality shows Sydney's median house value is $1,496,985, with Canberra's $980,802 and Melbourne's $947,611. Cotality says interstate migration is the biggest driver of Brisbane's growth. Brisbane (9.2 per cent) ranked just behind Perth (10.3 per cent) for a change in estimated resident population between June 2020 and June 2024. "Prior to 2020, the Brisbane market had experienced a long-term period of softer growth conditions - setting the market up for a more affordable starting point when the COVID housing boom arrived," Cotality said. "As well as initially being more affordable than Melbourne, and remaining more affordable than Sydney, Brisbane's warmer weather and lower housing density may have presented more 'lifestyle' appeal during the pandemic. "The rapid boost to population growth at a time of constraints on housing supply is likely what led to a substantial boost in values - and urgency - in the housing market." Brisbane no longer rests in the shadows of Sydney and Melbourne and is experiencing its "coming of age moment", the Real Estate Institute of Queensland said. "It really is representative of the fact that Brisbane is very much regarded now as a very vibrant, modern city," the institute's chief executive officer Antonia Mercorella told AAP. 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It also comes less than a year after Uber launched a Caregiver feature in Australia to book trips on behalf of others, and a Teen mode expected to be delivered to NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory shortly. Research undertaken by Roy Morgan showed Uber had become significantly more popular than taxis in Australia, with more than 7.4 million people using the app-based service in March 2025 compared to 4.2 million hailing taxis. Uber was significantly less popular with older generations, as the research found 1.05 million Baby Boomers used the service compared to 1.02 million using taxis, while the Interwar generation, born before 1946, preferred taxis to ride-share options. Australians will be among the first in the world to test features designed to make ride-share services easier for seniors to access. Uber announced the rollout of two features designed for riders over the age of 65 on Monday, including one that will allow family members to book, pay for and track their trips. The announcement comes one month after the features were launched in the US and after a study showed more than one in three older Australians found it difficult to arrange their own transport. The features added to the tech giant's app would include "simple mode" that had been designed for older travellers who wanted easier access to rides, Uber Australia and New Zealand managing director Emma Foley said. "Many older Australians have a smartphone these days, but figuring out how to use something new for the first time can still be a challenge," Ms Foley told AAP. "Simple mode is for independent seniors who are happy to be out on their own but want to have a simpler way to book a ride." When activated, the mode will show larger text in the app, fewer icons, and allow users to save frequently visited locations for quick access. Also introduced in the update, "senior accounts" will feature more controls for family members, allowing them to track trips, contact drivers directly, as well as booking and paying for rides. "The classic use case for this might be someone who is caring for their elderly mum and can't be there to take them to a doctor's appointment but wants to book a ride for them, track that trip, call the driver directly... and make it really simple to keep an eye on their loved one," Ms Foley said. The features, tested in the US in June, will be delivered after a survey of more than 1000 Australians conducted by YouGov found 36 per cent of seniors considered organising transport to be a challenge in their daily lives. It also comes less than a year after Uber launched a Caregiver feature in Australia to book trips on behalf of others, and a Teen mode expected to be delivered to NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory shortly. Research undertaken by Roy Morgan showed Uber had become significantly more popular than taxis in Australia, with more than 7.4 million people using the app-based service in March 2025 compared to 4.2 million hailing taxis. Uber was significantly less popular with older generations, as the research found 1.05 million Baby Boomers used the service compared to 1.02 million using taxis, while the Interwar generation, born before 1946, preferred taxis to ride-share options. Australians will be among the first in the world to test features designed to make ride-share services easier for seniors to access. Uber announced the rollout of two features designed for riders over the age of 65 on Monday, including one that will allow family members to book, pay for and track their trips. The announcement comes one month after the features were launched in the US and after a study showed more than one in three older Australians found it difficult to arrange their own transport. The features added to the tech giant's app would include "simple mode" that had been designed for older travellers who wanted easier access to rides, Uber Australia and New Zealand managing director Emma Foley said. "Many older Australians have a smartphone these days, but figuring out how to use something new for the first time can still be a challenge," Ms Foley told AAP. "Simple mode is for independent seniors who are happy to be out on their own but want to have a simpler way to book a ride." When activated, the mode will show larger text in the app, fewer icons, and allow users to save frequently visited locations for quick access. Also introduced in the update, "senior accounts" will feature more controls for family members, allowing them to track trips, contact drivers directly, as well as booking and paying for rides. "The classic use case for this might be someone who is caring for their elderly mum and can't be there to take them to a doctor's appointment but wants to book a ride for them, track that trip, call the driver directly... and make it really simple to keep an eye on their loved one," Ms Foley said. The features, tested in the US in June, will be delivered after a survey of more than 1000 Australians conducted by YouGov found 36 per cent of seniors considered organising transport to be a challenge in their daily lives. It also comes less than a year after Uber launched a Caregiver feature in Australia to book trips on behalf of others, and a Teen mode expected to be delivered to NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory shortly. Research undertaken by Roy Morgan showed Uber had become significantly more popular than taxis in Australia, with more than 7.4 million people using the app-based service in March 2025 compared to 4.2 million hailing taxis. Uber was significantly less popular with older generations, as the research found 1.05 million Baby Boomers used the service compared to 1.02 million using taxis, while the Interwar generation, born before 1946, preferred taxis to ride-share options. Australians will be among the first in the world to test features designed to make ride-share services easier for seniors to access. Uber announced the rollout of two features designed for riders over the age of 65 on Monday, including one that will allow family members to book, pay for and track their trips. The announcement comes one month after the features were launched in the US and after a study showed more than one in three older Australians found it difficult to arrange their own transport. The features added to the tech giant's app would include "simple mode" that had been designed for older travellers who wanted easier access to rides, Uber Australia and New Zealand managing director Emma Foley said. "Many older Australians have a smartphone these days, but figuring out how to use something new for the first time can still be a challenge," Ms Foley told AAP. "Simple mode is for independent seniors who are happy to be out on their own but want to have a simpler way to book a ride." When activated, the mode will show larger text in the app, fewer icons, and allow users to save frequently visited locations for quick access. Also introduced in the update, "senior accounts" will feature more controls for family members, allowing them to track trips, contact drivers directly, as well as booking and paying for rides. "The classic use case for this might be someone who is caring for their elderly mum and can't be there to take them to a doctor's appointment but wants to book a ride for them, track that trip, call the driver directly... and make it really simple to keep an eye on their loved one," Ms Foley said. The features, tested in the US in June, will be delivered after a survey of more than 1000 Australians conducted by YouGov found 36 per cent of seniors considered organising transport to be a challenge in their daily lives. It also comes less than a year after Uber launched a Caregiver feature in Australia to book trips on behalf of others, and a Teen mode expected to be delivered to NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory shortly. Research undertaken by Roy Morgan showed Uber had become significantly more popular than taxis in Australia, with more than 7.4 million people using the app-based service in March 2025 compared to 4.2 million hailing taxis. Uber was significantly less popular with older generations, as the research found 1.05 million Baby Boomers used the service compared to 1.02 million using taxis, while the Interwar generation, born before 1946, preferred taxis to ride-share options.
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8 hours ago
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