Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson and Greg Eckhart, Director of Global Sales stopped over in Sydney on their way back from WTTC in Perth and were lucky to enjoy a calm and warm evening cruise on the harbour with the BrandUSA folks and TravMedia.
Whilst Oregon might not be the first US state that you’d think to head to, it’s got a lot going for it. Known for its hipster status, Portland whose official slogan is “Keep Portland Weird”, is a small city of 600,000+, home to over 500 food carts serving every genre of food imaginable, artisan coffee shops and microbreweries with flamboyant names.
The great outdoors is at your doorstep, Mount Hood is only 90 mins drive from Portland and offers skiing and snow shoeing in winter months and an alpine resort during the summer. In fact you can experience three biomes in one day travelling through abundant pine forest, then alpine desert to the snow-capped mountains.
Mount Hood
Oregon also has 363 miles of coastline, sparsely populated and windswept, offering a chance to get away from it all, watch wildlife and enjoy seafood and craft beer. Oregon’s coastline is one of the state’s best-kept secrets, with its dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and charming coastal towns. Popular spots like Cannon Beach and Astoria offer opportunities for whale watching, tide pooling, and even surfing, while the coastal dunes further south provide unique landscapes for hiking and off-road adventures.
For those who enjoy wine, Oregon is also home to the Willamette Valley, one of the world’s premier Pinot Noir regions, with over 500 wineries to explore. You can easily pair a day of wine tasting with visits to nearby towns, which are full of farm-to-table dining options, artisan markets, and galleries showcasing local crafts.
Whether you’re after urban adventures in Portland or scenic drives through Oregon’s diverse landscapes, the state has plenty to offer visitors. It’s a destination that combines quirky city life with rugged natural beauty, providing a perfect mix for travellers seeking something out of the ordinary.
If you’re looking for a trip that offers a bit of everything, from outdoor activities to culinary delights, Oregon might just be your next must-visit destination. And after their Sydney experience, Travel Oregon’s leaders are no doubt keen to welcome more Aussies to explore all their state has to offer.
Featured image L to R: Todd Davidson, Joanne Motta, Greg Eckhart, Nick Wayland.
