Due to an unusually warm winter, the canola season has kicked off early across the Riverina, marking the start of a busy tourism period.
New tourism figures from Hello Yellow have shown Junee, Coolamon and Temora (who are all individual stops on the Canola Trail – are significantly outperforming the wider region.
Despite Destination Riverina Murray’s tourism spend dipping by 0.4 percent in May, all three shires showed a growth of 6.7 percent, 9 percent and 27.9 percent respectively.
Although the canola fields usually bloom during August and September, early blooming could see the region’s tourism levels skyrocket early, as local businesses reap the rewards.
According to the latest Tourism Research Australia report, ‘Agritourism’ is predicted to continue rising for regions such as Junee, with visitors across Australia spending $20.3 billion in 2024 alone.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has predicted a net-worth of $18.6 billion by 2030, with statistics on the rise.
The early blooms follow a dry 2025 season, where the fields only just turned yellow towards the end of August. The change has forced farmers to adapt quickly in tune with their crop.
However, not everyone is happy with the increased tourism within the area, with several canola farmers pleading with visitors not to trespass into their paddocks for the iconic yellow shot, due to fears for personal safety and farm biosecurity.
In 2025 alone, farmers recorded experiences of visitors opening gates, setting up picnics and even driving onto fields without expressed permission, all with the intention of taking a photo with the crop.
Trampling on the crop not only destroys the hard work and years of dedication by the producer, but risks bringing new weeds and seeds that could have been carried over by the trespasser.
Although the Canola Trail celebrates the crop and spray of yellow in the region, visitors are asked to respect both the crop and farmers by not trespassing onto their land.
Although photos are encouraged, visitors are urged to take them from the other side of the land.
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