LODDON has been linked into a regional spring tourism festival launched in Bendigo on Tuesday.
Walking tours of Kooyoora State Park and a special weekend at Spanner Man Gardens near Boort are in the seasonal campaign.
The Spanner Man weekend in November is being billed as the chance to “take a self-guided nature walk to a bird hide and spot native birds nestled in the Mallee vegetation – a peaceful escape for nature lovers”.
Dumawul Tours, part of the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Corporation, will run a series of walks at Kooyoora over the next three months.
Loddon Mayor Dan Straub told the Loddon Herald before the launch that the attractiveness of the Loddon landscape in spring also extended to wattles and other parks.
“We’re seeing wonderful blooms of golden wattle - Australia’s national flower - everywhere we drive around the shire at the moment,” said Cr Straub.
“Our residents have this wonderful roadside and bushland vista every day in the early weeks of spring and it will be wonderful to see people travelling out from Bendigo to witness the Loddon Shire in full bloom.
“There’s also the wildflowers in the north at Terrick Terrick National Park as well as Kooyoora that are our local blooming wonders.”
Cr Straub said at the launch with Bendigo counterpart Andrea Metcalf: “This partnership is a powerful step forward as we develop new destination campaigns together. Bloom is a taste of the exciting opportunities ahead and a fantastic way to showcase Loddon’s natural attractions and creative spirit,” Cr Straub said.
Bloom has more than 90 events across Greater Bendigo.
According to Bendigo council: “The Bloom program reflects a newly formed Greater Bendigo Loddon Visitor Economy Partnership, which aims to unlock fresh opportunities for the region under the banner Destination Greater Bendigo Loddon, the peak tourism body for our region”. 
““I’m thrilled that for the first time the Bloom program celebrates Loddon’s awe-inspiring nature and experiences that truly complement Greater Bendigo region’s many attractions.” Cr Metcalf said.