Tourist Attraction Signposting

Tourist Signposting Manual

The following information provides a brief introduction to the Tourist Signposting Manual - its purpose, how it was developed and so on. The manual has just been updated to incorporate the changes from the recent review of the tourist signposting program. The information provided on this website will meet the needs of most operators wishing to apply for signposting.

The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) and Tourism NSW, in consultation with tourism stakeholders and representative industry groups, have developed the Tourist Signposting Manual. The manual aims to:

ensure that adequate, consistent signposting is provided for the motoring public within the framework of a total statewide tourist information system. This system includes maps, brochures, touring guides, information bays, lay-bys as well as signage. TASAC is the formal structure responsible for the assessing the eligibility of tourist signposting applications made for tourist signs
establish fundamental criteria to assess the suitability/eligibility of attractions for signposting. It is essential that these promote consistency in determining the eligibility of attractions, features, places etc, so that the user may have a high level of confidence in the quality of experience at the attraction and to ensure that tourist operators are treated equitably
establish fundamental principles for sign design and siting practice. It is essential that these principals promote consistency of signposting siting and design treatment, so that the user may have a high level of confidence in the quality of the factual information given on the sign and to ensure that tourist operators are treated equitably
Articulate the administrative procedures that apply to the assessment of applications and the maintenance of standards (quality assurance), as well as the funding arrangements that apply to the erection of approved tourist signs

The Manual:
The Tourist Signposting manual:

outlines the requirements that must be satisfied for individual establishments, features or places to be classified as major tourist attractions and therefore eligible for tourist signs
outlines the requirements that must be satisfied for broader forms of tourist attraction ‘product’ such as tourism regions and areas, tourist drives and themed tourist routes to be eligible for the range of available tourist signs
outlines the general principles for the design and siting treatment of signposting, which are similar for all classifications of roads in New South Wales, i.e. state and regional
provides details of signposting types that can be used
aligns with National Standards through Tourism NSW/RTA representation on the Australian Standing Committee on Tourism (ASCOT) National Tourist Signposting Working Party
is intended for use by officers of the RTA, Tourism NSW, councils and consultants, when considering the signposting of tourist attractions, regions and routes

The manual is the third edition of the "Tourist signposting guidelines" for New South Wales and replaces the second edition, which was published in August 1998. It is now known as the Tourist Signposting manual.

The RTA NSW and Tourism NSW cater for the needs of road travellers by planning and implementing tourist signposting systems that:

safely and efficiently guide motorists to their destination
inform visitors of the range of attractions and services available within a destination

Tourist signs in New South Wales have a white legend on a brown background and serve to:

indicate to motorists establishments, features or places that are major tourist attractions
detail the routes of themed or regional tourist drives or
welcome visitors to the state and its tourism regions.

The manual relates to tourist signposting (white on brown) and the signposting of accredited visitor information centres only. The RTA’s service signposting Manual (when available) deals with all white on blue service and accommodation sign policies.

The RTA is responsible for the authorisation and erection of signs on state roads. These generally correspond to the primary network and include all 'highways' and many other major classified roads. Councils have delegated responsibility for the installation of signs on regional roads (the rest of the classified road network) and are wholly responsible for local roads.

Since the 1998 edition of this manual was issued, rapid and, in some cases, fundamental changes in regional tourism have occurred. In many parts of the state, tourism is now vigorously embraced across all sections of the community whereas a few years ago, even in some local government areas, tourism was not encouraged. This high profile has made the writing of this manual more challenging because the demands upon the road network for signs have increased enormously. This revised manual has been developed in response to these demands.

The responsibility for the revision of this manual rests with the Tourist Attraction Signposting Assessment Committee (TASAC). TASAC is the body responsible for assessing eligibility for tourist signposting and determining applications made for tourist signs. TASAC is made up of representatives of Tourism NSW, the RTA and Regional Tourism Organisations. The RTA and Tourism NSW has been managing tourist signposting issues, under various models, for the last twenty years.

In revising the manual TASAC has benefited from the results of extensive regional consultation with tourism stakeholders and representative industry groups. It has also undertaken interstate and international research regarding signposting best practice.

Tourist signs are usually presented in the following forms:

a guide sign positioned within the road reserve (responsibility of RTA or council)
an advertising sign on private property (responsibility of council)
a notice in an information bay (responsibility of roads authority)
an identification within the property at the attraction (responsibility of council/proprietor).