Record-breaking zip line and new eco resort a step closer on Gold Coast
Four major eco-tourism developments including a record-breaking zip line and island eco-resort are set to transform the Gold Coast's natural attractions after securing funding.
A new eco resort on South Stradbroke Island and an adventure hub featuring Australia’s longest zip line are one step closer to becoming reality after securing council backing.
The push to supercharge the Gold Coast’s nature-based tourism offerings is ramping up, with 10 projects receiving grants of $100,000 to take them to the next step, with ground to break on several in early 2026.
Of those, four are on the verge of launching, including:
• The Pandana Moreton Bay Marine Park eco-tourism precinct, which council will help fund infrastructure, allowing for marina and barge facilities to be built;
• The 300ha Numinbah Escape adventure hub, which will feature a record-breaking zip line, buggies and holiday park;
• The long-planned Sea World Foundation Wildlife Hospital and;
• Helping to transform Numinbah Valley’s Bower Estate Woodlands Precinct from a wedding venue into an eco-tourism hub.
All four have been on council’s agenda in recent years, with the latter awaiting its final approvals.
Council economic committee head Cr Bob La Castra said it was critical to invest in eco-tourism for the future of the Coast’s economy.
“The funding that the city is putting forward is leveraging project budgets of around $20m and that’s forecast to generate around $58m into the local economy,” he said.
“We’ve got to keep moving, we can’t just stay still because (the Gold Coast) is a major tourism destination and it’s important to keep increasing our offerings,” he said.
“These are very large, exciting and innovative projects, such as Australia’s largest canopy zip line out at Numinbah and where we’ve got eco cabins and wellness centres, retreats in the hinterland and enabling the infrastructure to support a sustainable eco-tourism resort on South Stradbroke Island.
“There’s six smaller projects which include wonderful things such as nature and indigenous cultural experiences.
“It’s really about showcasing the green behind the gold and the power of our beautiful beaches as well.”
The remaining six projects all received $100,000 in seed funding which will be used to prepare for delivery.
These include:
• Geo domes and huts at Lloyd Farms Numinbah Walkers Camp
• An interactive learning centre at the JW Marriott’s Living Waters Living Country Centre
• A series of eight purpose-built eco-cabins at the historic Coomera Rivermill.
• Nerang River eco tours, a company which is looking to offer several different cruises on the river on solar-battery powered vessels
• Off-grid glamping and cabins at the Bent Banana arts, nature and creative retreat in the Tallebudgera Valley and;
• Currigee Dreaming, Spirit Whispers - A proposed cultural tour and experience project put forward by Levinge Events for South Stradbroke Island.
Bower Estate executive director Amanda Appel said the funding would be used to evolve her venue into an eco-precinct.
“We have done that at a grassroots level but with this grant it is going to allow us to establish greater programs that we are looking at delivering over the next year,” Ms Appel said.
“We are looking at not just eco-villas but dining and there will be a lot of tours.”
It comes as the state government looks to deliver eco-cabins, underwater snorkelling attractions and increased anchorage on the Broadwater’s Wavebreak Island, while also working with the council to deliver a cableway in the hinterland.
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