Highlands East Information Centre sees more visitors this year despite opening two weeks later than normal

Highlands East is becoming a more popular tourist destination.

Council had a chance to see the reports from the information centre, which is now closed for the rest of the year.

Despite the centre being open for two weeks less than last year, it saw an increase from 1,071 last year to 1,165 this year in visitor traffic.

The report says most of the visitors were looking for information on mineral collecting.

Mayor Dave Burton believes Highlands East could be a featured destination for rock collectors.

Burton adds tourists have been coming from all over the world to collect minerals in Highlands East.

The centre opened on May 20^th and closed for the winter on October 7^th.

Click here to see the full information centre report.