Queensland Government continues to invest in tourism attractions

September 3, 2020

Attractions / Finance / Tourism /

The Queensland Government is partnering with the private tourism sector across the state to deliver projects that are injecting millions of dollars into local businesses.

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones has revealed that the Queensland Government has invested $115 million in new tourism infrastructure to deliver 73 projects, leveraging nearly $200 million from the private sector and creating around 1800 jobs.

While COVID-19 has delayed the completion date for a number of projects, Minister Jones said of the projects delivered by the government, 24 were already built with another dozen expected to be complete by Christmas.

Minister Jones advised that the $115 million invested in new tourism attractions included $25 million invested to deliver projects on twelve Great Barrier Reef Islands adding “already we’ve seen the huge difference our Great Barrier Reef island rejuvenation package is having for tourism operators in Central Queensland and North Queensland.”

Resorts on Wilson, Green, Bedarra, Lady Elliot, Orpheus, Hayman and Hamilton islands have all reopened with new visitor infrastructure delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government, with the resorts injecting millions of dollars back into the economy.

Minister Jones also advised on an extra $25 million to deliver new tourism infrastructure.

Attractions open in time for the September school holidays include:

First ever ecotourism experience in a national park at O’Reilly’s
New tourism experience at Peter Faust Dam (Lake Proserpine)

Attractions open in time for the Christmas holidays include:

Australia’s largest superyacht berth at the Southport Yacht Club
New pontoon at Lady Musgrave island
Charleville Cosmos Centre
New education centre at Minjerribah (North Straddie)
Historical tourism experience at the old Birdsville Courthouse
Charleville outback experience
New pontoon at Arlington Reef and construction of a semi-sub vessel to be used at Fitzroy Island
New light and sound show at the Qantas Museum in Longreach
New historical rail experience at Cunnamulla
New pontoon at Lady Musgrave island

Attractions delivered recently include:

Dinosaur Dreaming Trail in Winton
Stage 1 of the Museum of Underwater Art in Townsville
Desert Dreaming Centre in Barcaldone
New auditorium and marquee at Hamilton Island
Cobbold Gorge glass-bottomed bridge
Underwater sculptures in the Whitsundays
Major upgrades to Orpheus Island
Ecotourism huts, baths and other infrastructure at Julia Creek
New Indigenous tourism experience near Barcaldine
Major upgrades to Hinchinbrook Island resort
Six day Scenic Rim trail walk
Major upgrades to camping parks in Barcaldine
Major upgrades to Wilson Island
Major upgrades to the Riversleigh Fossil Centre at Mount Isa
Eco-camping experience at Longreach
Major upgrades to Green Island
Major upgrades to the Hill Inlet Lookout at the Whitsundays
Qantas Super Constellation at Longreach
Reefworld pontoon at Hardy Reef in the Whitsundays
Walking trails on Border, Langford and Haslewood Islands
New pool, water slide and water play facilities at Queens Beach Bowen
Bowen Visitor Information Centre virtual reality experience showcasing the Whitsundays

Image of Charleville Cosmos Centre courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

1st September 2020 - Queensland’s Binna Burra Road reopening aims to reboot local tourism

31st August 2020 - $11.3 million funding boost announced for Far North Queensland tourism

24th August 2020 - Funding available for 2021 Queensland Multicultural events

20th August 2020 - North Queensland Museum of Underwater Art receives additional funding for completion in 2021

19th August 2020 - Dunk Island repossession a setback to planned billion-dollar Mission Beach redevelopment

7th August 2020 - $70 million Queensland Government lifeline drives Ardent Leisure’s Dreamworld reopening announcement

29th July 2020 - New Boundary Rider Huts unveiled at Julia Creek Caravan Park

28th July 2020 - Neighbouring Outback Queensland councils partner in major destination marketing campaign

23rd June 2020 - Outback tourism attractions to share in $3 million of funding

8th June 2020 - Queensland Government delivers financial support to safeguard attraction industry workers

1st June 2020 - Queensland Tourism Industry Council welcomes further easing of COVID-19 restrictions

27th May 2020 - AALARA releases guide for the reopening of Australia’s attractions industry

8th October 2019 - Great Keppel Island sale to prompt renewed resort development plans

6th June 2019 - Queensland Government encourages outback tourism through winter

11th April 2019 - Queensland Government approves Scenic Rim walking trail venture

31st July 2019 - Tourism Tropical North Queensland partnerships help Chinese visitors gain insight into Green Island

4th December 2018 - Midnight Oil to perform at  Birdsville Big Red Bash Music Festival

3rd August 2017 - New plan to support nature-based tourism in Hinchinbrook Island National Park

28th April 2017 - Winton begins rebuilding of iconic Australian tourism experience

12th September 2012 - Longreach muster event celebrates bush skills

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