Taupo invades the Australian Eastern seaboard

Taupo invades the Australian Eastern seaboard

The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is about to launch into a significant campaign aimed at attracting more Australians to come and experience New Zealand’s largest cycling event.

Following the recently announced $250,000 Government investment, through the Major Events Development Fund, the current Event Director Kay Brake will step into the newly formed position of Project Director International Marketing. She will be responsible for selling the Cycle Challenge and all that the Taupo region has to offer to Australian cyclists and their families.

“We want more Aussie cyclists to visit our wonderful region” says Dennis Jenkins, Chair of the Charitable Trust that runs the event. “Overseas riders bring their families and supporters; they stay longer, and spend more in our region than the average person. Taupo is a great base for them when they come to ride – there is so much to do and see in every direction, all within easy driving distance. Lake Taupo boasts the Great Lake Trail, Turangi and National Park have unique outdoor activities, Mangakino is the hub of the Waikato River Trails and lakes, and the region offers seven other NZ Cycle Trails as well as some fantastic cultural and scenic experiences all within a two hour drive.

“The potential benefit to the whole region of promoting the cycle challenge is enormous” Dennis said. “Kay will be working closely with New Zealand Major Events, Tourism New Zealand, Sport New Zealand and Destination Great Lake Taupo to maximise the promotional opportunities through cycling expos and tourism promoters in Australia. Our goal is to quadruple the number of Aussie
visitors over the next three years, and our 40th Anniversary in 2016 is the right time to springboard this growth.

“The Cycle Challenge has a wide range of ride categories to suit all members of the family. While the Bike Barn 160km solo round the lake suits the dedicated cyclist, and the 85km Huka MTB Challenge suits serious mountain bikers, we have several rides that suit the less adventurous and younger family members” Dennis added. “The 35km MTB Cruiser is a moderate mountain bike ride through beautiful bush, while the Lakesider offers a leisurely cycle alongside our fabulous Great Lake Taupo.

The recent addition of the 80km Half-the-Lake has nearly doubled its number in just its second Dennis said that the Australian marketing initiative would start with a major expo in Adelaide in mid-January, and Kay was looking forward to leading this significant project. She will transition from her event director role to the international marketing director role in March. The Trust will be looking for someone to take over the event director position in the new year.

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