However, if you had told Dave and Tanya Kilpatrick that one day they would be running a successful tourism business out of Guyra, they would have asked “where?” 

Just over 12 years on and they couldn’t be happier after falling in love with the fishing destination.

The couple, who run the Top of the Range Retreat in Guyra, have been in the tourism business for over 15-years but say that the New England has something special that cannot be found anywhere else.

“What makes this place so different from other tourist destinations is that it’s untouched. 

“People love the fact that it’s a small country town with a bakery and butcher,” she said.

The serenity that causes tourists to flock from all corners of the globe, according to Ms Kilpatrick.

 “We meet amazing people from all over the world and it’s just incredible where people come from.

“They really love the prospect of snow in winter.

“Even the tomato farm has been a good attraction because people love to drive by.

“Our guests are mostly here for leisure, visiting the region for the waterfalls and fishing.

“We also get a lot of couples coming for romantic stays,” she said.

Ms Kilpatrick and her husband also spend a good portion of the year running a lucrative tourism business in the Northern Territory.

The couple work at the Katherine Gorge during the winter high-season before returning “back home” to Guyra to catch some fishing during the summer months.

“My husband actually did a fly fishing course and has caught some big fish out past the trout hatchery,” Ms Kilpatrick said.

The pair hope that the upcoming Trout Festival in October will help put Guyra and surrounds on the map as a prime tourist destination.

“I think it’s really a terrible shame that it’s not more well-known of what is on offer here.”

Visit www.newenglandnorthwest.com.au for more.