Many of the Sunshine Coast’s top tourism destinations will offer more exciting attractions, after receiving cash injections.
Australia Zoo, RACV Noosa, Aussie World, Beach Hostel Mooloolaba, Glasshouse Plantation, Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat Maleny, Mayan Farm, Amaze World and Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World are set to receive State Government funding to enhance tourism experiences.
The boost is set to bring an estimated $12.895m into the region’s economy, as well as create 172 construction jobs and 43 ongoing jobs.
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Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said after the recent successful opening of the luxury Crocodile Hunter Lodge, Australia Zoo would benefit from a $200,000 contribution for a new $816,00 Serengeti experience, with a viewing display of the zoo’s cheetahs offering tourists viewing outside of existing shows.
“(Meanwhile), visitors to Aussie World will be able to fly high with $200,000 committed to a new $1.69m ‘Aerobat’ ride,” he said.
The Sunshine Coast’s first rollercoaster experience opened at Aussie World earlier this year.
Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said Amaze World would receive $50,000 towards their $200,000 expansion project.
“This expansion project will include a new maze, with puzzles, activities, shelter and accessible access, plus new augmented reality experiences, lighting, a commercial kitchen, and accessible pathways,” he said.
Other projects include:
- RACV Noosa Resort will build a Noosa Resort Eco Precinct, with a $200,000 contribution.
- Beach Hostel Mooloolaba will receive $100,000 to refurbish and relaunch 25 private queen rooms and 21 four-bed rooms after being closed for two years.
- Glasshouse Plantation will be funded $113,789 to build a paddock to cup café and agribusiness infrastructure.
- Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat will upgrade seven luxury villas, with a contribution of $59,509.
- Mayan Farm, located along Kin Kin Creek, will build four new rammed earth eco-villas, with a contribution of $200,000.
- Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World will receive $50,000 to create an Indigenous bush tucker garden, honouring, and embracing our rich and ancient cultural history, along with a treehouse virtual reality experience.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe congratulated the tourism operators on their commitment to deliver new and enhanced tourism experiences.
“This funding is designed to help operators refresh or create local tourism experiences to encourage more visitors to share Queensland’s great lifestyle and contribute to the region’s visitor economy,” he said
Mr Hinchliffe said the Experience Development Fund was launched in June for tourism recovery.
“Across the state, 50 projects will be rolled out to support more good, secure Queensland jobs including 538 in construction and an estimated 386 ongoing operational employment opportunities,” he said.
“We have two golden decades of tourism opportunity in the 10 years leading up to and after the world’s biggest event, the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Visit Tourism Experience Development Fund to find out more about the funds and the recipients.
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