Gold Coast bushfires: $2.5m for tourism projects in Gold Coast Hinterland

Two new key eco-tourism projects worth $2.5m for the struggling Gold Coast hinterland will be unveiled today in a bid to lure tourists back to the region.

THE State Government is to announce two new key eco-tourism projects in the Gold Coast hinterland — a big boost to the Green Mountains campground and Australia’s first permanent climbing course at Binna Burra.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones today will detail the $2.5 million investment, which sees the Government partner with the O’Reilly family to deliver a major redevelopment of the campground in Lamington National Park.

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Looking up the huge ladder up the tree at Lamington tree top walk.

Permanent tent accommodation will be available to tourists without facilities or unable to afford nearby resort rooms, along with access to a kitchen.

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The new climbing routes are to be supported by steel cables, fixed metal rungs, bridges and ladders to enable cliff-face climbing.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the initiatives were an addition to tourism campaigns to be launched in coming weeks.

“The best help anyone can give these communities is to visit and spend,” the Premier said.

“Beechmont and Lower Beechmont are some of the most beautiful areas of Queensland with a host of accommodation, cafes and natural attractions.”

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The current luxury accommodation at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat.

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Ms Jones first encountered the project 10 years ago, which was stalled after Labor lost office and Cyclone Debbie caused landslides.

“Eco-tourism is the next big thing in our industry, generating millions of dollars annually. This project has the potential to be a game changer for tourism in the Gold Coast Hinterland,” she said.

Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister Meaghan Scanlon confirmed the redevelopment works would be completed in time for Easter 2020.

“We are committed to delivering eco-tourism projects that create jobs. This project will have great flow-on benefits for the Gold Coast tourism industry,” the Gaven MP said.

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Tourism Minister Kate Jones. (AAP Image/Brian Cassey)

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Gold Coast Tourism chair Paul Donovan told the Bulletin: “I’ve been pushing for this opening up of national parks since I’ve been here. It’s so important going forward. That’s what everyone wants.

“They want to get out to the natural environment and experience what’s going on. We’ve got 640 kilometres of walking trail in the hinterland. We need to open up. Have a look at what’s making Tasmania thrive.

“We just have to make sure at this stage we are in step with what people want. I’m all for it, good on you Kate, you’ve been trying for a long time and you’ve finally got it right.”

The Green Mountains campground was closed in May 2019 for redevelopment as part of the transfer of management to the O’Reilly family, with work set to start in November. The family already operates O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, a mountain lodge-style complex of varying accommodation, a dining room and library, an upstairs bar, with a kiosk and souvenir shop open to the public nearby.

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Chalahn Falls in the Lamington National Park.

The O’Reillys estimate it will create 30 construction jobs and five operational jobs.

Managing director Shane O’Reilly said the project would allow a wider breadth of people to experience Lamington National Park.

“This will be achieved by providing permanent tent accommodation for those without their own camping equipment and for those unable to afford the nearby resort accommodation,” he said.

“Those with tents will still have access to very good affordable sites but with added benefit of access to the proposed kitchen facilities, which will allow visitors to prepare their own food, also reducing their costs of having to eat out in the restaurant or cafe.

“Campground waste will be turned into A-plus quality water and recycled back through the site’s toilets, reducing the current overall potable water usage for the site.”

Binna Burra Lodge meanwhile estimates that within three years the “via ferrata’’ climbing route will be attracting 41,000 international visitors a year who will spend more than $5 million in the region.

Up to 13,700 domestic visitors are expected to spend $1.65 million annually in the region on the back of the Government’s investment.