Tasmania’s free light and sound show Bicheno Beams has kicked off its sixth year on the state’s east coast, aiming to draw visitors to the region during the quieter winter months.
The event runs nightly at 6:30pm at Lions Park in Bicheno from June 27 to July 25, with two different 15-minute shows on alternate nights.
Bicheno Beams chair Karen Phillips said the event was “a unique celebration of the place that we love – its beauty, creativity and community.”
“We’re thrilled to once again welcome locals and visitors alike to experience this unmissable light and sound spectacular right here in Bicheno,” she said.
The show is run entirely by volunteers and entry is free, with spectators encouraged to arrive from 6pm with takeaway dinner from a local eatery.
Bicheno was recently named Australia’s Top Emerging Town by Australian Traveller for its natural beauty, relaxed lifestyle and food and wine scene.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Amy Hills said Bicheno “is having its moment” after appearing on the front pages of national magazines and top travel lists.
Hills said businesses in the town were reporting stronger trade than usual.
“From talking to the operators over the last 24 hours, they’re telling me that their businesses are busier than they ordinarily would be, and that is what you would expect,” she said.
But Hills warned some regional operators across Tasmania were struggling with rising costs and tighter consumer spending.
“Winter this year has almost been a bit of a tale of two economies in a sense,” she said, noting cities like Hobart and Launceston were holding up well while some regional businesses were doing it tough.
She said events like Bicheno Beams were critical for giving people a reason to travel to regional areas in winter, helping operators keep staff on through the quieter season.
“We know that for every operator, and especially in Tasmania, where so many operators are based in regional Tasmania, that winter is hard,” she said.
