The historic coal-mining township Kaitangata, about 10km southeast of Balclutha, currently appears as an optional side route on the 610km Southern Scenic Route tourist drive.
The route extends from Dunedin to Queenstown, via the southern coast, taking in many of the South’s key beauty spots and visitor attractions.
Kaitangata & District Promotions (KDP) first raised the possibility of including the township on the Southern Scenic Route in 2019.
Last summer, KDP secretary Joyce Beck said the initiative had been stalled by Covid.
This week, Mrs Beck said steady progress had been made during the past year to begin formalising that process, via regional tourism organisation Clutha Development, although more remained to be done.
"From a tourism perspective, we don’t see why Kaitangata shouldn’t be included on the full official route.
"Its current route takes in winding highway with nowhere to stop and see, and going via Kaitangata would add only 12km and a few minutes to anyone touring.
"We’ll be pushing to bring this to a successful conclusion this year."
She said Kaitangata had "lots going on".
"People can enjoy Lake Tuakitoto on the way in. We have the museum, memorial gardens, fishing, kayaking in the Clutha, mountainbike trails in the hills and many other things to do.
"Our inclusion would bring people to town and give a boost to things like the campground, pub and dairy, and help the vibrancy of the town."
Clutha Development chief executive Linda Moore said technical discussions regarding Kaitangata’s inclusion on the route had taken place last year, and were ready to be progressed.
"We’ve had all the necessary discussions with NZTA and others, and it’s just a matter of completing the paperwork.
"We’d hope to see good progress this year, as we believe Kaitangata would add to the richness of the Southern Scenic Route with its history, hospitality and natural assets."
