Opinion: Why nature-based tourism projects must be a priority for the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is falling behind other cities on one key issue – making these key projects more important than ever, writes Ann Wason Moore.

Oceanway, Cableway, Bums Bay … oh my!

Forget the yellow brick road, the city’s streets may soon be paved in gold thanks to a boom in nature-based tourism.

Consider it the gold behind the green because our Hinterland and natural attractions are set to take centre stage after being a secret for too long – and they are literally worth our attention.

Just look at the headlines these projects have already attracted in this newspaper alone.

Last week we discovered that almost all the missing parts of the Gold Coast Oceanway can be completed before the 2032 Olympics through a new council plan to construct stunning headland boardwalks.

Once finished, this 36km oceanfront route will be the envy of the world and the favourite of locals. There will be no entry fee, it will be accessible to all and it will boost the bottom line for businesses dotted along the oceanside spine of this city.

Gold Coast City Council has released graphics on the Oceanway, showing the path around North Burleigh.

Even better, it will help build appreciation for coastal conservation efforts for every user.

But wait, there’s more.

Just days ago was the news that Bums Bay on The Spit would become Australia’s largest outdoor swimming enclosure, with the boats set to be evicted by Christmas under plans being developed.

It came after the Mayor revealed earlier in the week that planning was underway to transform what’s officially known as Gold Coast Marine Stadium – but dubbed ‘Bums Bay’ due to boat waste – into a new public attraction.

And then there’s the Cableway.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate last week said planning was progressing well for the Hinterland attraction and the project would be in the box seat to be fast-tracked if it was found environmental approvals from Canberra were unnecessary.

Look, the Cableway is still a controversial project and it probably always will be, but let’s face it … similar ventures have been built elsewhere, including in this state, and they are raking in the gold (coins) thanks to green tourism.

A Skyrail rainforest cableway gondola sails above the rainforest canopy on the Macalister Range National Park at Smithfield near Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke.

We can and we should do it.

Because the reality is that demand for nature-based tourism has grown by almost 50 per cent over the last decade and is globally one of the fastest growing sectors of the industry.

And while the Gold Coast has always been a star of tourism and long considered Australia’s playground – and now lifestyle capital of the world – we’ve been a slow starter when it comes to promoting our natural attractions.

Now, this has not always been our fault. Given we were blessed with beautiful beaches, World Heritage rainforest and stunning scenery in every direction, perhaps it was wise to tread carefully lest we damage these priceless assets.

But while we’ve stalled in this sphere, the rest of the world – and our own domestic competitors – have moved on.

In fact, Mayor Tate has already recognised that the Gold Coast has been losing tourism market share steadily in recent years due to this delay.

“The data shows we are increasingly losing share to regions that have capitalised on the demand for nature-based activities – places like New Zealand, the Hunter Valley, the Mornington Peninsula and the Sunshine Coast,” said Mayor Tate.

An image from The Spit masterplan showing a swimming enclosure at Bums Bay.

But now we’re back, baby.

Just last week, the council opened its Nature-Based Tourism program to new and existing businesses, with grants ranging from $1000 to $100,000 and ‘opportunity’ funding for projects over $100,000.

The criteria for these projects include that they should be low impact and immersive, encourage participation and promote environmental and cultural appreciation and conservation.

It’s a win-win for our natural assets, our residents and our businesses.

A For the entrepreneurial spirit that built this city, it’s a welcome move that our local government is keen to cut the green tape – a sentiment that has been supported by state and federal governments as well.

Indeed, the evening before the Nature-Based Tourism program officially opened, a staggering 50 applications had already been lodged – just waiting to be assessed by a panel including tourism industry leaders, First Nations representatives and environmental experts.

Not only are we doing this, but we are doing this right.

Consider us the tourism wizards of Aus.

Originally published as Opinion: Why nature-based tourism projects must be a priority for the Gold Coast