Shane Warne, Ian Thorpe and Ash Barty help boost travel in new campaign aimed at Brits
Some of the nation’s biggest sporting stars have signed up to promote great Australia tourist destinations, in a bid to bring fellow Brits Down Under.
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Shane Warne, Ash Barty and Ian Thorpe have revealed their favourite tourist destinations in Australia.
The sporting stars have all been signed up for Tourism Australia’s Matesong campaign, designed to lure Brits down under.
They all appear in the new three minute Matesong advertisement, spearheaded by Kylie Minogue.
Cricketer Warne singled out Half Moon Bay in Victoria, near where he grew up in Black Rock, as a favourite location.
“I lived over the road, we used to walk along the beach all the time. We had fish and chips on the beach during the summer, in winter you’d rug up,” he said.
The former cricketer also praised Queensland’s Surfers Paradise, another location for family holidays in his youth.
Swimmer Thorpe praised Australia for its love for the water.
“I love Hamilton Island and I try to visit as often as I can,” he said.
“For me, it’s about having the chance to go out and explore the reef – you will see something different but equally beautiful every time. Heart Reef is truly spectacular and worth the trip if you have the chance.
“One of my other favourites places is Nitmiluk Gorge just outside Katherine in the Northern Territory.
“It’s one of the most incredible gorges you’ll see in Australia.”
Indigenous tennis player Ash Barty pointed out Uluru as an ideal tourist destination.
“Uluru is such a special part of our country and it’s an important part of my heritage, my family and my land,” she dais.
“I think it’s an incredible part of Australia, somewhere that everyone needs to experience if they can. It’s absolutely stunning by day and by night.”
Barty also praised Queensland’s attractions.
“I love Far North Queensland, I think there are some amazing places along the coastline as well as inland within the communities. With my Indigenous Heritage, this area is really special to me,” Barty said.
“A family favourite holiday place is North Stradbroke Island, just off Brisbane Coast.”
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The sport stars also discussed the concept of mateship between the British and Australians.
“There is a great rivalry between Australia and UK with the most obvious example being sports,” Thorpe said.
“Our shared competitive spirit makes for great entertainment but it always comes from a really good and friendly place … and for the most part, we’re better than the Poms and we’re quite happy about that!
“But there are other great things our two countries have in common including our sense of humour and similar outlook on the world.
“There’s a real sense of mateship.”
Warne, who works heavily in the UK, said there was a shared sense of humour and banter.
“As much as we might give it to each other all the time, when the cricket’s on, I think deep down we’ve got a huge respect for each other, and we all get along, because I think we’re very similar people,” he said.
“We like to have a laugh at ourselves, we like to have a drink and chill.”
Originally published as Shane Warne, Ian Thorpe and Ash Barty help boost travel in new campaign aimed at Brits