Indigenous leaders embrace tourism opportunity

First Nations people’s culture, art and heritage to drive unique new addition to Sunshine Coast’s tourism offer

Dale Chapman at the site of a new First Nations tourism experience, the first stage of a multifaceted new development. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

TWO of the Sunshine Coast’s most respected First Nation leaders are behind an initiative to showcase indigenous experiences and promote indigenous commerce at a major new tourism precinct on the Bruce Highway at Palmview.

Lyndon Davis and Dale Chapman will head up the enterprise, and will encourage other indigenous businesses, artisans and entrepreneurs to join them in a positive example of practical indigenous collaboration.

Mr Davis, a prominent Gubbi Gubbi figure, is involved in delivering cultural awareness to schools throughout southeast Queensland, and operates the successful Gubbi Gubbi Dance troupe.

‘Aunty’ Dale Chapman, a member of the Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, is a celebrated chef, cookbook author and lecturer, and is passionate about developing, marketing and distributing indigenous products.

The precinct will be based on a 49.2ha property, about 2km north of Aussie World, where a group of Sunshine Coast investors are establishing a world-class tourism destination, focused on health and wellbeing.

The site will include boutique food offerings produced on site, an adventure golf course, tour bus hub, ‘eco’-accommodation, a brewery and distillery. It will be developed in stages, with the indigenous tourism precinct being the core of the first stage.

The developers want the precinct to cater to the emerging wellness and ‘experience’ tourism markets, where visitors are drawn to the food tourism precinct, and encouraged to participate in activities and experiences, and immerse themselves in the surrounds.

Mr Davis said the precinct would present indigenous singing and dancing, traditional storytelling and performances, would host workshops, and provide demonstrations in indigenous activities like making canoes, and playing didgeridoos.

There would be a gallery showcasing indigenous art and displays, a native food commercial kitchen, and a retail area.

Ms Chapman, whose passion is authentic indigenous cuisine, said there would be a bush food trail, where visitors could see examples of native food plants being grown, harvested and prepared, and then enjoy it in the precinct’s cafe and restaurant.

Ms Chapman, who lectures on bush food and its qualities, said other indigenous companies and artisans would be encouraged to become involved and showcase their own unique products.

Mr Davis, who was raised on the Sunshine Coast by his grandmother and whose ancestors played on the very site being developed, said the facility would be unique in Australia, with everything under one roof.

He said it would be a legacy for future generations – “something we can leave them, and of which they can be proud.”

Mr Davis said indigenous education was now part of most school curriculums, and the facility would provide an opportunity to expand the experience for thousands of students.

“I find it very satisfying to put Aboriginal people and our culture in the spotlight in a positive way,” he said. “For me it’s about getting a message out there to change the attitude of some people and have them become more involved in our culture.”

The Palmview site is currently used for timber production and includes large areas of vacant land, with road frontage to Frizzo Rd and Sippy Creek Rd, and direct access to the Bruce Highway via the new interchange roadworks.