The a-maze-ing things people do
Melissa Maugeri, The Courier Mail, 6 January 2007
Wandering through a maze with Wolf Creek's John Jarratt might be off-putting for some but joint-owner Sophy Wrangell was delighted to have
a celebrity visiting the Bellingham Maze attraction.
Jarratt, who has featured in many a backpacker's nightmares since his chilling portrayal of a serial killer, was not at the maze for a remake of horror flick The Shining.
Instead the actor dropped by on New Year's Eve with his family to explore the maze.
"He was our first celebrity," Ms Wrangell says.
The Wrangells took over the Bellingham Maze four years ago and say it has taken hard work and innovative marketing to keep visitor numbers increasing.
Set away from public transport routes and the main road, brochures in Sunshine Coast accommodation are vital to bringing in tourists to the maze.
"Locals usually wait until they have visitors before they come," Ms Wrangell says.
But the Wrangells do get a lot of repeat business and work to continually upgrade their offerings.
"People like to see something different to try when they come back," she says.
As well as the maze, there are brain teasing puzzles and a teahouse.
Ms Wrangell has been working with vacation care groups and schools in a bid to increase visitor numbers.
Night maze tours and school excursions for maths students also help boost numbers.
But it's word of mouth and repeat business that are really helping the business develop.