Award-winning tour operator Northern Highland Travel opened a new depot on April 8
April 21, 2010
Award-winning tour operator Northern Highland Travel opened a new depot on April 8.
The NSW Minister for Tourism and the Hunter, Jodi McKay (pictured third from left) , officiated at proceedings, which drew almost 600 guests.
Also in attendance were Federal Member for the Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon (pictured right), and Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore (pictured left), as well as
industry figures, including representatives of Hunter Regional Tourism Organisation, Bus NSW board members Giuseppe Oliveri and Rodney Landers, and President of Maitland Business Chamber, Jennifer Nichols.
The new depot – which owners Robert and Jenny Aitchison (pictured second from left) have been developing for four years – features a washbay, secure facilities for coaches to do overnight layovers, a meeting room,
Woody’s Café, and clean, “coach friendly” toilets.
The site also includes a heritage railway spur from the Thornton Railway Station. The building, designed by local architect, TG Thomas, was inspired by Queensland Railway stations. A visually arresting building, it is painted in the strong burgundy and teal colours of Northern Highland Travel. Construction was undertaken by C& W Constructions and the interior fit-out was completed by the Accent Group of Newcastle.
Northern Highland Travel was founded by Bruce and Elaine Aitchison at Walcha in 1988. It relocated to Maitland in 2000 where it was based in a large depot at Robert and Jenny’s home in Thornton.
Bruce and Elaine retired in June 2008 and today Northern Highland Travel employs more than 20 staff and operates a fleet of six vehicles and tours all over Australia and the world.