Activate Ecotourism Infrastructure
Increasing ecotourism and nature-based tourism is essential to attract visitors to Queensland to grow our tourism industry and create more jobs in our regions.
Queensland is home to some of the world’s most outstanding natural landscapes, diverse ecosystems and inspiring cultural heritage.
With consumers seeking more immersive, meaningful ecotourism and nature-based tourism experiences, now is the perfect time to invest in this growing sector.
The $9.2 million Activate Ecotourism Infrastructure initiative is being delivered under the Tourism Activation Fund to generate new tourism opportunities in Queensland.
Through this initiative, we’re partnering with industry to deliver ecotourism and nature-based tourism infrastructure adjacent to, or near, a public protected area, world heritage area, timber reserve or state forest.
We are providing individual funding of up to $2 million (excluding GST) on a dollar-for-dollar matched cash contribution basis for recipients to construct ecotourism or nature-based tourism infrastructure.
On completion, the projects are collectively predicted to generate almost $64 million a year in overnight visitor expenditure and attract more than 196,000 visitors each year.
It's anticipated the 6 ecotourism projects will together support 338 construction and 235 operations jobs.
Objectives
The objectives of the Activate Ecotourism Infrastructure initiative are to:
- increase Queensland’s sustainable ecotourism and nature-based tourism offerings to position Queensland as a leading destination for experiences in a post-pandemic environment
- contribute to building economic resilience in regional areas
- create construction and support ongoing operational jobs for Queenslanders.
Successful projects
Our funded projects stretch across the state, offer great diversity and will increase visitor patronage for Queensland’s regions.
Through a competitive assessment process, 6 projects were awarded funding:
| Recipient | Project | Regional Tourism Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Tourist Park Management Pty Ltd (trading as NRMA Parks and Resorts) | Deliver Stage 1 of the revitalisation of the existing Turtle Sands Nature Retreat at Mon Repos, including cabins, powered campsites, glamping tents, amenities, a camp kitchen and utilities. | Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism |
| The Queensland Walking Company | Construct an overnight walkers’ camp for use in The Queensland Walking Company’s 3-day guided walking tour at Binna Burra, including a communal structure for eating, cooking and relaxing, amenities (including toilets and showers) and platforms for tents. | Brisbane Economic Development Agency |
| Pandana Capital Pty Ltd | Deliver glamping pods as part of a nature-based luxury accommodation facility including conference, events and wedding facilities and beach club amenities on South Stradbroke Island. | Destination Gold Coast |
| Jarramali Rock Art Tours | Deliver the Jarramali Rock Art Eco Retreat to provide a living classroom for visitors hosted by Kuku-Yalanji traditional owners. The funding will contribute to refurbishing and extending an existing eco-camp in Cape York, including camp huts, a kitchen and communal building, sustainable energy, waste and water infrastructure, additional glamping tents and cultural, eco and tech education tourism infrastructure. | Tourism Tropical North Queensland |
| Carnarvon Gorge Park Pty Ltd | Deliver additional facilities at the Carnarvon Gorge Holiday Park, including a restaurant, studio cabins, staff cabins and renewable energy. | Capricorn Enterprise |
| Marine Media Group | Deliver the Pioneer Valley Outdoor Tourism Hub for tour operators to use, providing increased access to fishing, hiking and mountain biking opportunities across the Mackay region, including accommodation. | Mackay Isaac Tourism |