Tourism Experience Development Fund
Supporting the delivery of new and enhanced compelling tourism products and experiences in Queensland.
About the fund
The $15 million Tourism Experience Development Fund is a key initiative of the Queensland Government’s interim response to the Tourism Industry Reference Panel’s final action plan – Towards 2032: Reshaping Queensland’s visitor economy to welcome the world .
This fund provides the opportunity for the Queensland Government to partner with industry to deliver new and enhanced compelling tourism products and experiences.
Aims
The key aims of the fund are to:
- rebuild visitor confidence in Queensland’s tourism industry
- drive demand for Queensland destinations
- meet the changing preferences of consumers through enhanced tourism products.
Objectives
The key objectives of the fund are to:
- deliver new and enhanced tourism products and experiences that may include contemporary refresh of existing products and experiences, diversifying the tourism offering in a region and/or improving the customer experience
- increase overnight visitor numbers and expenditure
- deliver regional economic, community impact and sustainability benefits.
Projects will include high growth attributes such as:
- ecotourism – to showcase Queensland’s natural assets
- accessible and inclusive tourism
- First Nations experiences
- adventure tourism.
Grant details
Funding for the $15 million Tourism Experience Development Fund will support 50 projects across Queensland which are estimated to support 538 construction jobs and 386 ongoing operational jobs, and attract over 466,000 additional visitors each year.
| Applicant | Project | Description | Location | RTO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bribie Passage Kiosk Pty Ltd | Bribie Beach Shack Eco-Tours – new vessels | Procurement of two flat bottomed vessels to support hybrid tour within Pumicestone Passage to support guided marine tours paired with offroad adventures. | Sandstone Point | Brisbane Economic Development Agency |
| Brisbane Powerhouse Pty Ltd | New Riverlife Restaurant Vertical Restaurant | Suspended open-air dining experience with abseil descent at Brisbane Powerhouse to be operated by Riverlife Pty Ltd. | New Farm | Brisbane Economic Development Agency |
| Grookea Enterprises Pty Ltd ATF Grookea Trading Trust | Trevena Glen Farm (Samford Valley) experience enhancement | Trevena Glen Farm (Samford Valley) experience enhancement: Ride-on miniature train and railway attraction, new shed to showcase animals, a dark room for showing historical video, a coffee shop and installation of solar power. | Mount Samson | Brisbane Economic Development Agency |
| Inner Circle Distillery Pty Ltd | New kitchen facilities for Beenleigh Rum Distillery | New kitchen facilities to support food tourism experience at Beenleigh Rum Distillery | Eagleby | Brisbane Economic Development Agency |
| The Trustee for Newpub Family Holdings Trust | Sandstone Point Holiday Resort Eco Villas accommodation expansion | Sandstone Point Holiday Resort Eco Villas: To construct 6 new eco- villas over a swim up dam to expand overall accommodation capacity at the park as well as introduce new amenity and features. | Sandstone Point | Brisbane Economic Development Agency |
| The Trustee for Starlight | Cedar Creek Estate Ecotourism (Mt Tamborine) - butterfly sanctuary and glow worm breeding project | Cedar Creek Estate Ecotourism (Mt Tamborine) - Butterfly sanctuary and glow worm breeding project to enhance existing Glow worm cave, including introduction of interactive educational resources. | Tamborine Mountain | Brisbane Economic Development Agency |
| Xbrisbane Pty Ltd | New north and south operational hubs for Story Bridge climbs | Establishment of new North and South operational hubs for Story Bridge climbs to enhance visitor experience. | Kangaroo Point | Brisbane Economic Development Agency |
| Bundaberg Regional Council | Burnett Heads Caravan Park new disability compliant cabin | Burnett Heads Caravan Park: Build of a Disability compliant cabin | Burnett Heads | Bundaberg Tourism |
| The Trustee For Marine Seek Trust | Lady Musgrave Island citizen science pontoon | Lady Musgrave Island citizen science pontoon: Establishment of new pontoon to enhance existing tourism experience | Lady Musgrave Island | Bundaberg Tourism |
| Capricorn Caverns Pty Ltd | Refresh and upgrades of Queensland's first tourism offering | Refresh of Queensland's first tourism offering, including upgrade of signage, new access road to the rear of caves, new stage, viewing area and improved wheelchair access to Belfry cave, new Marquee for school catering and kiosk enhancements | The Caves | Capricorn Enterprise |
| Judyross Pty Ltd Atf The O'Reilly Property Trust | High Valley Dawn (Rosslyn Bay Yeppoon) accommodation expansion | High Valley Dawn (Rosslyn Bay Yeppoon): Purchase and assembly of 2 x 1-bed cabins, 2 x 2-bed cabins and 4 x glamping tents, with supporting infrastructure. | Lammermoor | Capricorn Enterprise |
| Gc Wake Park Pty Ltd | Demand driving infrastructure upgrades | New Wake jumps at Gold Coast Wake Park* *this project did not proceed | Oxenford | Destination Gold Coast |
| Gold Coast City Council | Mountain Bike Hub at the Gold Coast Cycle Centre (Nerang) and development of a new Cross Country Short Track (XCC) | Mountain Bike Hub at the Gold Coast Cycle Centre (Nerang). Specifically funding will contribute to the development of a new Cross Country Short Track (XCC) with Skills and Pump trail within the precinct. | Nerang | Destination Gold Coast |
| National Trust Of Australia (Queensland) Limited | Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary new outback zone experience | Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: Development of an Outback Zone experience within their Australiana themed precinct providing an immersive experience of an outback station | Currumbin | Destination Gold Coast |
| Sobah Beverages Pty Ltd | First Nations food- based visitor experience and café | Indigenous - First Nations food- based visitor experience and café to be attached to Sobah's new brewery location on the Gold Coast. | Burleigh Heads | Destination Gold Coast |
| SW Cruise Co Pty Ltd T/A Sea World What Watch | Development of a live underwater AV system and app to see and hear humpback whales during whale watching tours | Development of a live underwater AV System and app to see and hear humpback whales during close encounters in real-time from under the water during whale watching tours. | Main Beach | Destination Gold Coast |
| Swell Sculpture Festival Ltd | Project DAM 2024- Expansion of Swell Festival: 11-day inaugural sculptural exhibition around Hinze Dam | Project DAM 2024-Expansion of Swell Festival: 11- day inaugural sculptural exhibition of temporary public artworks and public art programming around the Hinze Dam site in the Gold Coast Hinterland. | Advancetown | Destination Gold Coast |
| The Trustee For Schwartz Family Trust | Paradise Resort refurbishment | Paradise Resort refurbishment, including new lounge and pool precinct | Surfers Paradise | Destination Gold Coast |
| Village Roadshow Theme Parks Pty Ltd | Paradise Country Ecotourism and Farm Stay accommodation expansion | Paradise Country Ecotourism and Farm Stay expansion: 5 new two bedroom eco glamping tents | Oxenford | Destination Gold Coast |
| Fraser Coast Regional Council | Scarness Beachside Caravan Park enhancements | Scarness Beachside Caravan Park enhancements, including improved accessibility features, new share facilities including camp kitchen and new booking office and manager accommodation | Scarness | Fraser Coast Tourism and Events |
| The Trustee For Gibson Family Trust | New high speed dive boat for Hervey Bay Dive Centre | Hervey Bay Dive Centre: New high speed dive boat | Hervey Bay | Fraser Coast Tourism and Events |
| Australian Tourist Park Management Pty Limited | NRMA Agnes Waters caravan park disability accessible accommodation expansion | NRMA Agnes Waters caravan park: 4 disability accessible accommodation cabins | Agnes Water | Gladstone Area Promotion & Development Ltd |
| Gladstone Area Promotion Development Limited | New vessel to launch the Gladstone Harbour Indigenous Cultural Tourism Experience, to be operated by the Bailai Aboriginal Corporation for Land and Culture | Indigenous - Purchase of an 80 seat vessel to launch the Gladstone Harbour Indigenous Cultural Tourism Experience, to be operated by the Bailai Aboriginal Corporation for Land and Culture. | Callemondah | Gladstone Area Promotion & Development Ltd |
| Mackay Adventure Pty Ltd | Critical ground transport link for Mackay Tourism, new busses and storage shed | Identified and supported Critical ground transport link for Mackay Tourism where services are limited: Purchase of 2 x 12 seat shuttle buses and storage shed | Andergrove | Mackay Isaac Tourism Ltd |
| Australian Age of Dinosaurs Limited | Helipad, reception centre enhancement and purchase of significant Australian fossil collection | Upgrade of helipad, reception centre enhancement and purchase of significant Australian fossil collection | Winton | Outback Queensland Tourism Association |
| Cunnamulla Caravan Park Pty Ltd | Accessible and inclusive accommodation expansion | 2 accessible and inclusive accommodation studio units with an interconnecting additional studio unit suitable for a carer. | Cunnamulla | Outback Queensland Tourism Association |
| Flinders Shire Council | 2023 Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies event | 2023 event - Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies. Will activate Arts, Skies and Lake precincts leveraging local natural features, public art and infrastructure assets. | Hughenden | Outback Queensland Tourism Association |
| SQT Partners Pty Ltd Trading As The Tourism Group | New "Outback Vehicle Rentals" pilot in partnership with REX Airlines and under commercial agreement to lease ex-Council vehicles (based out of Quilpie) | Establishment of "Outback Vehicle Rentals" pilot in partnership with REX Airlines and under commercial agreement to lease ex-Council vehicles. Offering one way pickup and drop off on REX regional destinations and supported by Councils. | Quilpie | Outback Queensland Tourism Association |
| The Trustee For Diamond Gully Trust T/A Muddy Duck Tourist Park | Muddy Duck Tourist Park Longreach facility upgrades | Muddy Duck Tourist Park Longreach: Visitor amenity enhancements including new toilet, shower and laundry facilities with disabled access/facilities | Longreach | Outback Queensland Tourism Association |
| South Burnett Regional Council | Upgrade of accommodation and conference facilities | Bjelke-Peterson Caravan and Recreation Park and Coondooma Dam and Recreation Park upgrades including new air conditioners, kitchen and dining facility enhancements and upgrade of shower facilities in conference accommodation | Moffatdale | Southern Queensland Country Tourism |
| The Trustee for JFW Enterprises Trust | Charleys Creek Experience Centre Chinchilla | Construction of Microbrewery at the Charleys Creek Experience Centre Chinchilla | Chinchilla | Southern Queensland Country Tourism |
| 1eight Parks Pty Ltd | Etty Bay Caravan Park (near Innisfail) accommodation expansion and improvements | 3 new 1 bed cabins at Etty Bay Caravan Park, near Innisfail, and relocation of 3 existing cabins | Etty Bay | Tourism Tropical North Queensland |
| Cairns Adventures Pty Ltd | New jet boat for Trinity Inlet tours and customer experience enhancements at Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett | Local construction of a new 14 seat jet boat to undertake tours in Trinity Inlet Customer experience enhancements at Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett, including installation of a retractable roof, | Bungalow | Tourism Tropical North Queensland |
| Cairns Bungy Centre Pty. Ltd. | Facility upgrades | Refreshed decor and additional seating areas to create an all weather space encouraging longer stays, large functions and events. | Smithfield | Tourism Tropical North Queensland |
| Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours ATF Jones Agius Trust | New hybrid-electric power Catamaran for tours departing Cairns Marina | Local build of a 24 metre hybrid- electric power Catamaran for tours departing Cairns Marina | Cairns | Tourism Tropical North Queensland |
| Cohesion Qld Pty Ltd | Lake Tinaroo Holiday Park (Atherton Tableland) accommodation expansion and new splash zone waterpark | Lake Tinaroo Holiday Park, Atherton Tableland: Construction of an additional 6 x 2-bed cabins (1 accessible) and a Splash Zone Waterpark | Tinaroo | Tourism Tropical North Queensland |
| Etheridge Shire Council | Mobile creative arts installations and pavilions and portable Wi-Fi | Mobile creative arts installations and pavilions: Designed to collate and enhance the unique and charismatic heritage of Etheridge Shire and provide portable Wi-Fi for drive market. | Georgetown | Tourism Tropical North Queensland |
| The Trustee For Bates Family Trust | Indigenous - Rossville Retreat accommodation and infrastructure upgrades | Indigenous - Rossville Retreat accommodation and infrastructure upgrades | Rossville | Tourism Tropical North Queensland |
| The Trustee For Cairns Wildlife Dome Trust | New Cairns Adventure Hub within Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome | New Cairns Adventure Hub within Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome with new activities and visitor enhancements | Cairns | Tourism Tropical North Queensland |
| The Trustee For R H Prettejohn Family Trust | Thalah Beach Nature Reserve accommodation extension | Thalah Beach Nature Reserve accommodation extension | Oak Beach | Tourism Tropical North Queensland |
| Aquascene Magnetic Island | New vessel for Aquascene Magnetic Island | New vessel for Aquascene Magnetic Island | Nelly Bay | Townsville Enterprise |
| Amazeing Pty Ltd Atf The Cheshire Family Trust | Expansion and facility upgrades for Amaze World | Expansion of the existing attraction, Amaze World to include a new maze (with puzzles, activities, shelter and accessible access) new augmented reality experiences, lighting, a commercial kitchen a | Tanawha | Visit Sunshine Coast |
| Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World Pty Ltd | New Bush Tucker Garden and Fish feeding pond | Creation of Bush Tucker garden and fish feeding pond at the attraction to broaden visitor experiences | Wootha | Visit Sunshine Coast |
| Mayan Farm Pty Ltd | Mayan Farm (Kin Kin Creek) accommodation expansion | 4 new rammed earth eco villas for tourist accommodation at Mayan Farm overlooking Kin Kin Creek. | Kin Kin | Visit Sunshine Coast |
| Royal Automobile Club Of Victoria (Racv) Limited | Noosa Resort Eco Precinct accommodation expansion and facility upgrades (Noosa) | Noosa Resort Eco Precinct: Construction of 16 Eco villas, boardwalk and carpark to the RACV Noosa resort. | Noosa Heads | Visit Sunshine Coast |
| The Trustee For A M Investment Trust | Former Mooloolaba Backpackers accommodation expansion and upgrades | To refurbish and relaunch the Mooloolaba Backpackers with 25 private Queen rooms and 21 4 bed rooms | Mooloolaba | Visit Sunshine Coast |
| The Trustee For Palu Ziebarth Super Fund | The Glasshouse Plantation - Glasshouse Mountains 'paddock to cup' cafe and agribusiness infrastructure upgrades | The Glasshouse Plantation - Glasshouse Mountains 'paddock to cup' cafe and agribusiness infrastructure to facilitate safe experience access. | Glass House Mountains | Visit Sunshine Coast |
| The Trustee For The Irwin (Beerwah) Group Trading Trust | Australia Zoo Serengeti style experience with Cheetah habitat viewing display | Creation of new Serengeti style experience with Cheetah viewing display | Beerwah | Visit Sunshine Coast |
| The Trustee For Timevale Operations Unit Trust | 'Aerobat' interactive ride | New 'Aerobat' interactive ride at Aussie World | Palmview | Visit Sunshine Coast |
| Xoli Pty Ltd | Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat Maleny accommodation upgrade | Upgrade and enhancements of 7 luxury villas and upgrade kitchen and dining facilities | North Maleny | Visit Sunshine Coast |
More information
Email tourismgrants@dtis.qld.gov.au for more information.