Helping a regional destination thrive through live music

Regional destinations are constantly looking for new ways to encourage visitors to stay longer, support local businesses and experience more than the main street.

In Berry, on the NSW South Coast, that’s exactly what A Day Well Spent is designed to do.

Led by the Berry Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, the initiative uses free live music across multiple venues to encourage visitors and locals to extend their stay, discover new venues and experience more of what the town has to offer. Supported by the NSW Government’s Uptown Grant Program – an initiative of Create NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner – the campaign is helping strengthen Berry’s reputation as a vibrant regional destination while supporting the local hospitality sector.

With support from Shoalhaven City Council, Destination NSW and Destination Sydney Surrounds South, the initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration in creating experiences that benefit the entire community rather than a single venue or event.

Since launching, A Day Well Spent has supported more than 90 musicians performing across eight venues, creating new reasons for people to visit Berry outside traditional peak periods and encouraging them to spend more time exploring the town’s cafés, restaurants, bars and shops.

“It’s honestly been a joy to watch. Every time A Day Well Spent rolls around, you can feel the excitement building and see more and more people embracing it. We’ve seen people of all ages out enjoying incredible live music, catching up with friends and making a day of it in Berry. The calibre of the acts has been extraordinary and, because every performance is free, it’s something everyone can be part of.” – Kate Dezarnaulds, UPTOWN District Coordinator

Visit extendtheweekend.berry.org for more information