Red Cat Adventures brings glamping to Lake Proserpine tourism

A multi-award-winning tourism operator has come on board to introduce a more luxurious experience to the renowned home of 1m barramundi and lakeside camping. FIND OUT THE FULL DETAILS.

A multi-award-winning tourism operator has unveiled plans for new experiences poised to raise the camping profile of the Whitsundays.

Red Cat Adventures, which operates the popular Wildcat and Thundercat tours in the Mackay Whitsundays is steering its attention inland by introducing “glamping” tents to Lake Proserpine in time for the September school holidays.

Red Cat Adventures director Julie Telford said they also hoped to launch non-motorised watersports pending approval from Sunwater, which manages the lake.

Red Cat Adventures is introducing glamping tents to Lake Proserpine. Picture: Contributed

Ms Telford said it was a “bit of a treechange” for the usually ocean-faring business, but they were keen to venture into challenging territory.

“Lake Proserpine will still be a relaxed outback environment, it will still be bush camping, but by adding the option of “glamping”, visitors can now choose the type of experience which suits them,” Mrs Telford said.

“We will also use our extensive experience and knowledge of the tourism industry to raise the profile of Proserpine which will have a flow-on benefit to the town’s local businesses.

“(Lake Proserpine) really is a slice of paradise and new caretakers Ilze and Mark Huston, are passionate about their roles and enthusiastic about meeting and greeting visitors daily.”

Mrs Huston said she and her husband were keen to ensure Lake Proserpine was a mecca for tourists as the home of 1m barramundi and authentic, outdoor experiences.

Whitsunday Regional Council Acting Mayor John Collins said it was exciting to have Red Cat onboard to help boost the Lake Proserpine experience with regional tourism “booming”.

Cr Collins said visitors to Proserpine injected up to $7m annually to the economy by each vehicle of tourists spending about $385 each visit on provisions and services.

WRC aviation and tourism CEO Craig Turner said the council had extended the maximum camping stay at the lake from three to seven nights with revenue from small fees invested back into future upgrades.

“(This) help(s) stamp Lake Proserpine as another jewel in the crown for the Whitsunday region,” Mr Turner said.