Numinbah Escape: First look at Gold Coast Hinterland eco-tourism adventure park

A giant “world-class” eco adventure tourism attraction will be built in the Gold Coast Hinterland in a move city leaders are welcoming as a major boost to the region. SEE THE PLANS

A giant “world-class” eco adventure tourism attraction will be built in the Gold Coast hinterland in a move city leaders are welcoming as a major boost to the region.

A former banana farm belonging to the Stephens and Panitz families, some of the region’s pioneers, will be transformed into the $14.2m Numinbah Escape eco-tourism project by the team behind Tree Top Challenge at Currumbin Sanctuary. The company bought the Numinbah site outright last year. The plans were lodged with the Gold Coast City over the weekend – it’s the first new major tourism project pitched for the region in years.

According to the plans, the adventure park will be built in five stages and will feature abseiling, mountain biking, rock climbing, canyoning, plus an eco-lodge, glamping options, a function and education centre and luxury cabins.

Photos of the future site of the Numinbah Escape eco-tourism attraction. Picture: Supplied

Civic and tourism leaders have welcomed the proposed development, which they argue will boost visitation to the “green behind the gold”.

Area councillor Glenn Tozer said the operator was an “experienced team” who the council had held discussions with.

“Rehabilitating the old Panitz/Stephens family farm, previously an old quarry and banana farm, to deliver a world-leading eco-tourism experience is welcomed and exciting for the hinterland economy,” he said.

Cr Glenn Tozer. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Being adjacent a national park, there (will) no doubt be some environmental issues to navigate, but that not one tree is proposed to be removed is pretty impressive, and the operators already have loyal customers ready for new adventures at their existing venues at Thunderbird Park and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

“The planning department will now take a look at the application and determine next steps, and I’ll remain very interested in the assessment process, keeping an open mind about all the important variables to consider but, at first glance, it looks very positive for Division 9 and the Gold Coast tourism economy.”

Rock-climbing will be one of the attractions. Picture: Supplied

According to the plans, it will have a 34-space caravan park, alongside 12 eco-cabins, a lodge and 20 glamping sites.

Tourism leaders have long pushed for greater investment in the Hinterland region, regarding it as having untapped potential.

Destination Gold Coast interim chief operating officer Rachel Hancock said that after the pandemic, tourists were hungry for experiencing the natural beauty of places like the hinterland and being able to discover hidden gems that they could return home with stories about.

Photos of the future site of the Numinbah Escape eco-tourism attraction. Picture: Supplied

“With competition for the tourism dollar stronger than ever, public and private investment for new infrastructure, attractions and experiences will continue to be critical to evolving our city and its tourism offerings,’ she said.’

The site, known as Willowie Farm, was part of a 285ha site bought in 1935 by Jim and Ellen Stephens, who opened a sawmill and dairy and built a house on the land, which now fronts Nerang Murwillumbah Rd.

1946 First house on Willowie Farm was built from timber cut from the property on the original sawmill.

It began operating as a banana farm in the late 1930s and was taken over by Royce and Joyce Panitz in the late 1950s.

In the 1980s, some of the site was used as a quarry, with the rock taken from it used to build the Southport Seaway.

Rachel Hancock. Picture Glenn Hampson