CABN gears up for Cooloola Great Walk project, seeks investors

Supercharged by COVID-19, an SA eco-tourism trailblazer is on the cusp of a significant Qld project and looking for investors.

CABN founder Michael Lamprell outside one of his eco-cabins. Picture supplied

South Australian eco-tourism accommodation provider CABN is gearing up for key milestones within weeks on its most ambitious project, spanning the 102-km Cooloola Great Walk in Queensland.

CABN founder and chief executive Michael Lamprell is also in discussions with public and private businesses for funds to keep up with demand for his off-grid creations across SA and Victoria because he “just can’t build them fast enough.”

CABN secured the Queensland government’s first ever tender on an eco-tourism trail in February last year.

Mr Lamprell expects to sign commercial lease and indigenous land use agreements before the end of June, and contract a local construction partner to build 38 cabins, which will be transported to five selected sites on the trail.

The Cooloola Great Walk at the Carlo Sand blow.

Working in partnership with the local Kabi Kabi community on the sensitive ecosystem, detailed designs have now been completed.

”Once we’ve got the lease signed with government, we will be going out to tender and offer the opportunity to Sunshine Coast businesses that have an employment and training program that can include Kabi Kabi people,” Mr Lamprell said.

“We want this to be of benefit to the local indigenous community.

“And hopefully that can bring them some jobs and training and other opportunities through the construction. phase.”

Michael Lamprell’s CABN X at McLaren Flat

The Cooloola cabins are expected to be available for bookings from the start of 2023.

Mr Lamprell self-funded his first cabin in the Adelaide Hills in October 2017 after being drawn by his desire to share his love for off-grid, nature-based experiences.

“I’ve always been incredibly connected to nature.

“I got really interested in finding something that I could immerse myself in, which would be able to connect people to nature that ordinarily wouldn’t do it.”

Supported by seed funding, he built the business to 16 cabins and nine employees across SA and Victoria.

“I love going camping and putting a swag in the back of the four-wheel drive, but not a lot of people like doing that and what we’ve created and what I set out to do was create these beautiful experiences where people don’t have to take all the camping gear, but can rest in nature and then head home.”

He said demand through COVID particularly helped as people sought isolated getaway experiences.

Another CABN ‘glamping’ option. Picture: Supplied

“What COVID did was it just supercharged us,” he said.

“We can’t keep up with demand and we can’t build them fast enough.”

The cabins are assembled at a modular facility at the Adelaide Airport and transported to the sites.

Last week, two new cabins were set up at McLaren Flat with another two in the train for Clare Valley.

“There are not enough hours in the day at the moment.

“And now, we are in discussions with some public companies and some other parties that are interested in what we’re doing and becoming involved.

“We’re sort of in a stage where we will be looking to raise capital for our other projects,” Mr Lamprell said.