Delivering on its election commitment the Malinauskas government under the South Australian Tourism Commission’s $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund, has just announced the recipients of the first round of grants with 18 products and experiences supported across South Australia.
Sailing journeys of marine parks from the far west coast to Kangaroo Island, a cultural immersion experience at Deep Creek, a luxury camping experience on the Murray River, upgraded cottage accommodation with solar power in the Riverland, and e-bike tours at Cleland – are just some of the new tourism experiences getting a financial boost.
A total of nearly $486,000 in grants will unlock more than $824,000 in combined project value, supporting operators to attract more domestic and international visitors, while showcasing the state’s natural landscapes.
One of the grant recipients, Brindabella Sailing, operates sailing charters along the South Australian coastline. The tour operator will receive a $18,424 grant to enable it to operate new day and overnight sailing journeys from Outer Harbor and Port Lincoln to marine parks across the state, such as the Lower Yorke Peninsula Marine Park, Eastern Kangaroo Island and Port Noarlunga in the Encounter Marine Park, and Kangaroo Island’s north coast in the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park.
Operators receiving grants are spread across the regions, from the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas to the Flinders Ranges & Outback, Riverland, and the Limestone Coast. Funded projects will showcase a diverse range of South Australia’s national parks and reserves, wilderness sanctuaries and marine parks, and create a range of new tourism product such as new and refurbished accommodation, Aboriginal cultural tours, wellness and immersive experiences, and water-based activities.
The funding program runs over four financial years, with up to $500,000 available in each year.
Applications for 2023 funding will open early in the new financial year.
The first round of successful projects include:
Region | Operator and project | Grant | Total project value |
Adelaide Hills | Bike About | $20,000 | $26,295 |
Adelaide Hills; Fleurieu Peninsula; Flinders Ranges & Outback; Kangaroo Island; Limestone Coast; Murray River, Lakes & Coorong | Focused Expeditions | $11,577 | $14,472 |
Barossa | Barossa Wellness | $19,461 | $24,327 |
Eyre Peninsula | Australian Coastal Safaris | $50,000 | $117,581 |
Eyre Peninsula | Pod[e] | $19,988 | $24,985 |
Eyre Peninsula | Tour South | $14,192 | $17,740 |
Eyre Peninsula; Fleurieu Peninsula; Kangaroo Island; Yorke Peninsula | Brindabella Sailing | $18,424 | $23,030 |
Fleurieu Peninsula | Naiko Retreat | $50,000 | $98,173 |
Fleurieu Peninsula | Southern Ocean Walk | $10,241 | $12,802 |
Fleurieu Peninsula | Off Piste 4WD Tours | $11,360 | $14,200 |
Fleurieu Peninsula | Tribal Expertise Facility (Kool Tours) | $35,304 | $44,130 |
Flinders Ranges & Outback | Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary | $50,000 | $146,044 |
Flinders Ranges & Outback | Crew’s Rest | $50,000 | $70,495 |
Kangaroo Island | Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island | $50,000 | $90,763 |
Limestone Coast | Bush Adventures | $15,339 | $19,174 |
Riverland | The Frames | $20,000 | $30,052 |
Riverland | Canoe the Riverland | $10,044 | $12,555 |
Yorke Peninsula | Neptunes Surf Coaching | $29,870 | $37,338 |
Quotes
Attributable to Zoe Bettison
It is fantastic to be starting the New Year with a key boost for tourism, delivering nearly $486,000 in grants to create new visitor experiences almost double that in value.
These new tourism experiences will highlight the important natural and cultural assets that are our state’s national parks and will enable operators to attract visitors from interstate and overseas, as we support the industry to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
Importantly, the Fund is also supporting operators along the Murray River, who will benefit greatly when their new and improved tourism products are complete. With more reasons for tourists to visit the river, to stay longer and spend more, it will boost businesses across the region and help drive recovery.
Attributable to Brigid Dighton, owner/operator Brindabella Sailing
This grant gives us the exciting opportunity to broaden our sailing adventures to include overnight and day destination expedition experiences within SA’s marine and coastal parks.
We can now offer passengers the unique opportunity of accessing and exploring these magnificent parks from the water via the iconic maxi yacht, Brindabella.
Visitors can enjoy a true blue water sail across St Vincent gulf to the likes of Lower Yorke Peninsula’s Point Davenport or Kangaroo Island, jump in for a swim or kayak through the estuaries, learn about the parks’ biodiversity and First Nations’ significance, all whilst enjoying the creature comforts of a hot shower, fine SA food and wine, and a stunning sunset and sunrise on Brindabella’s deck.
This grant will also see the addition of a much-needed tender vessel and an electronic shark shield increase the safety of our operation and everyone on board.
Attributable to Mark Koolmatrie, owner/operator Kool Tours
Our new overnight experience in Deep Creek National Park is something that’s not been done before, and the grant means we’ve been able to bring forward our plans to launch this tour much sooner than we could have otherwise done.
Known as Miwi Kungalun or “listening to self”, it is a Ngarrindjeri cultural experience where visitors will take a deep dive into self, embrace nature, and leave with the tools to move forward.
They will learn the old age stories of the Ngarrindjeri people and have a chance to disconnect from their busy lives, phones off, and connect with nature, environment and self.
It’s exactly what people are looking for coming out of the pandemic and we’re really excited.
Attributable to Ruth Roberts, owner/operator Canoe the Riverland
As a kayak tourism business, we spent three years restoring our lovely Captains Cottage into quality accommodation to share the Murray River’s beauty with guests who love nature.
We are delighted to receive this timely grant which allows us to restore the cottage’s amenities to the same standard, in time to help us recover from the effects of the recent flood.