New report reveals the Grampians is running out of accommodation

With tourism booming in the Grampians National Park, industry groups say the accommodation is not keeping up with demand.

Accommodation demand in the Grampians National Park will outstrip supply by 2026, with visitation expected to double over the next 10 years, a new report has revealed.

Commissioned by Grampians Tourism and key partners, the Invest in the Grampians report found the park currently received 1.7 million visitors each year, bringing in almost $300m.

Based the current growth rate, Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said the region would be unable to cope with the demand.

“Without doing anything our region will run of accommodation availability in about three to four years, and that’s with a conservative growth rate,” he said.

The report found accommodation at the 3-star or higher level was required by 2025.

The Grampians is ripe for investment opportunity with 12,000 visitors annually, according to a new report. Picture: Supplied / Grampians Tourism.

“To support the ongoing projected visitor growth for the region, there is a need to introduce new accommodation stock,” the report said.

“In order to cater to the high-value traveller — who are likely to spend more, stay longer,

disperse more regionally and who also have distinct key drivers for destination choice such as nature, wildlife, food and wine — higher-quality and more diverse forms of accommodation are required.”

Artists’ Impressions of the planned upgrades to Mount Zero Resort in the Grampians. Picture: Supplied

The 25 current and future tourism investment projects for the Grampians region are valued at more than $250m, according to the report.

They include a $26.5m luxury nature-based accommodation development called Mount Zero Report, built by Australian Wildflowers director Jo Gardner.

“We’re looking at about a $26m build at this stage with a range of different accommodation options, everything from standard rooms to high lux accommodation,” she said.

“We are still working through the planing a final documentation, but we are looking to start building in April next year, and we hope to be completing in 2024,” she said.

Other developments expected include $14m for a new Quest Apartment Hotel in Horsham, $3.5m for a health and wellbeing development called Pomonal Bath House, and $9m for 36 luxury suites in Stawell.