Tourism Minister Kate Jones, Paul Donovan keen to drive Gold Coast eco-tourism

QUEENSLAND and Gold Coast tourism heavyweights want to follow New Zealand’s lead by opening up national parks to lucrative eco-tourism opportunities.

QUEENSLAND and Gold Coast tourism heavyweights want to follow New Zealand’s lead by opening up national parks to lucrative eco-tourism opportunities.

Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones confirmed she is having ongoing meetings with Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch about how to sustainably create an “emerald jewel in the crown of the Gold Coast”.

Gold Coast Tourism chairman Paul Donovan is also a big fan of dramatically enhancing access and infrastructure in the Coast’s Hinterland with a trails network and facilities to stay.

“We have an iconic beautiful destination called the Hinterland and we need to open it up with signage and facilities and access.

Paul Donovan: “We have an iconic beautiful destination called the Hinterland and we need to open it up with signage and facilities and access.” Photo by Richard Gosling

“And that won’t stuff the environment. We have seen it done very well in NZ.”

New Zealand has long led the way in the sector, with nine renowned multi-day Great Walks developed and maintained by its Government-funded Department of Conservation.

Ms Jones recently appointed Virgin Australia airline co-founder Brett Godfrey to head Tourism and Events Queensland, in part due to his success developing Tasmania’s eco-tourism industry.

Tourism and Events Queensland head Brett Godfrey. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Mr Godfrey has told the Bulletin making some of Queensland's natural attractions more accessible would give the state a winning edge, and lamented the inability for anyone to spend a night in a national park in Queensland.

Ms Jones said his experience improving award-winning eco-tourism offerings in Tasmania would be critical to showing it could be developed in an environmentally friendly way.

“What has been proven in NZ and Tasmania is you can provide a sustainable product and it’s great for tourism and environmentally sensitive,” she said.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones: “From a Gold Coast perspective we are seeing reinvestment in theme parks and attractions and seeing quality hotels going up and need to get the emerald jewel in the crown for the Gold Coast.” Photo by Richard Gosling

“From a Gold Coast perspective we are seeing reinvestment in theme parks and attractions and seeing quality hotels going up and need to get the emerald jewel in the crown for the Gold Coast,” Ms Jones said.

“Increasingly we are seeing, particularly in the Asian market, visitors wanting that natural experience,” she said, adding the Coast’s natural assets offered “huge potential”.

“Brett’s first hand experience at delivering eco-tourism in Tasmania will give Queensland real momentum to get it right.”

Tourism leaders are calling for the Gold Coast walking trails and Hinterland to be opened up more for eco-tourism. Jack Jeffrey and Maddy Noakes, from Geelong, at Springbrook National Park this week. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Mr Donovan said Mr Godfrey’s appointment was key.

“Provide signage, facilities and open it up to people who want to see the natural beauty we have here on the Gold Coast,” Mr Donovan said.

“It’s a magnificent part of the Coast and it’s what drives tourism in other part of the world. Look at Queenstown, NZ, and Tasmania with all their trails, it’s brilliant.”