Matt Moran kicks off the world’s first blogger race around Australia

2013-03-25 — /travelprnews.com/ —  Three of Australia’s top bloggers rose to Matt Moran’s gastronomic challenge this morning to mark the start of the T-QUAL Tick Race, a campaign that will see the bloggers racing around Australia to visit some of the country’s quality tourism experiences.

During the eight day race, the bloggers from Mummy Smiles (Natalie Birt), YTravel (Caroline Makepeace) and A Beach Cottage (Sarah) will put their skills to the test whilst experiencing tourism products endorsed by the Australian Government’s national symbol of tourism quality – the T-QUAL Tick.

Renowned chef and T-QUAL Ambassador, Matt Moran, joined Tourism Australia’s General Manager of Destination Development, Craig Davidson, in starting the first challenge of the T-QUAL Tick Race at ARIA Restaurant this morning.

Guided by Moran’s expert instructions, the three bloggers put their culinary skills to the test, battling it out in an entrée extravaganza. Moran presented the bloggers with the finished product – an ARIA entrée of yellow fin tuna and Carid prawn sashimi with smoked butter milk and black garlic – then asked them to step up to the plate by dishing up their own version using pre-prepared quality ingredients.

Moran judged the entrees on presentation and accuracy, announcing Caz Makepeace as the winner and awarding her with the first points on the board, setting the pace for the rest of the T-QUAL Tick Race.

A seasoned domestic traveller for business and pleasure and a participant in last year’s T-QUAL Tick Tour, Moran said he is looking forward to following the bloggers experience.

“As co-owner of ARIA, I understand the importance of promoting quality in the tourism industry and I’m excited for the bloggers to get a taste of what I experienced. They are in for a treat!” said Moran.

Lauren Bath, one of Australia’s most followed Instagramers (@laurenepbath), snapped up the cook-off and will be documenting the full race in stunning pictures published for everyone to enjoy through the social network.

Today’s challenge marked the first of many that the bloggers will take part in as they race around Australia. Moran saw the bloggers off by dishing out their next clue for the Sydney leg of the race. x

Tourism Australia’s Craig Davidson urged Australians to get behind the race as the bloggers embark on their journey around the country, visiting high quality tourism experiences in destinations such as Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide and Hobart.

“The T-QUAL Tick identifies Australia’s quality tourism products and services. Australians can trust T-QUAL endorsed operators will consistently deliver the high standards and quality experiences expected when booking domestic holidays in our beautiful country. Following the bloggers’ journey will provide a unique insight into exactly what the T-QUAL Tick delivers,” Davidson said.

The T-QUAL Tick is the Australian Government’s national symbol of tourism quality, representing businesses that have undergone rigorous assessment to ensure they deliver a quality experience.

Everyone can join Natalie, Caz, Sarah and Lauren on their journey by following their regular blogs, video logs, tweets and social media updates, providing an up close and personal look at their once in a life time race across Australia.

The T-QUAL Tick Race will feature on the following blogs and social media:

• Natalie at Mummy Smiles – www.mummysmiles.com, twitter (@MummySmiles), Facebook (www.facebook.com/MummySmiles) and Instagram (@mummysmiles)
• Caroline at yTravel blog – www.ytravelblog.com, twitter (@yTravelBlog), Facebook (www.facebook.com/yTravelBlog), Instagram (@ytravelblog) and Pinterest (@yTravelBlog)
• Sarah at A Beach Cottage www.abeachcottage.com, twitter (@abeachcottage), Facebook (www.facebook.com/abeachcottage) and Instagram (@abeachcottage)
• Lauren Bath on Instagram (@laurenepbath) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/PirieBathPhotography)

For further information on T-QUAL Accreditation visit www.tourism.australia.com/t-qual.

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