Queensland aspires to become the world’s leading ecotourism destination
To achieve this Queensland will leverage its incredible biodiversity and natural environments that already attract visitors from across the globe.
Ecotourism is a key competitive advantage for the state, offering significant potential to create future jobs, support local communities, and unlock new opportunities for operators.
This plan will deliver new investment in low-impact facilities that enhance the visitor experience without harming ecosystems, as well as areas nearby for on-farm food and beverage experiences. It will link ecotourism with conservation projects so that tourists can engage with scientists and support local environmental projects, including collaboration on reef monitoring and restoration. This will be supported by the updated Ecotourism Plan for Protected Areas.
Read the Destination 2045 plan
45 by 45: Getting Ecotourism Moving in Queensland
We have developed 45 by 45: Getting Ecotourism Moving in Queensland, a statewide policy position that lays out the Queensland Government’s guiding principles for ecotourism development in our state. This policy means that Queensland will champion 45 world class ecotourism projects by 2045.
The first of 45 new ecotourism experiences promised by Destination 2045 have been backed in with the following funding commitments, from 2025–26:
- $19.7 million to deliver the next stage of the Wangetti Trail
- $15.5 million to upgrade the Smithfield Mountain Bike Trail
- $5 million to support the proposed Whitsunday Skyway attraction.
What success looks like in 2045
- Delivered 45 world-class ecotourism projects.
- Increased dark sky tourism experiences.
- Increased light footprint accommodation options in protected areas.
- Natural assets are conserved.
Initiatives
- Streamline and simplify processes to facilitate and accelerate ecotourism growth in protected areas.
- Enable one single permission for tourism operations on protected areas to streamline the permitting process for businesses.
- Deliver key government priority ecotourism projects.
- Expand Queensland’s Dark Sky Reserves network by identifying more stargazing sites, including on protected areas, and deliver an experience program.
- Deliver a Queensland Parks experience program, showcasing our Rangers’ expertise and environmental custodianship.
- Provide new visitor experiences and enhance accessibility to protected areas through accommodation and amenities.
- Work with First Nations peoples to support culture and Country and create access to valued tourism experiences.
- Deliver 150 new Park and Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers to ensure environments are protected from weeds and invasive species.
- Boost agritourism with more farm stays and experiences, helping farmers diversify and improve on-farm profitability.