The Whitsundays tourism economy to grow by an extra $600 million

From a cable car crossing the ocean to a space station with a rocket launching facility, here are the top 10 projects set to change the landscape of the tourist hotspot as we know it.

Airlie Beach Lagoon, 2022. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland Escape

A space station with a rocket launching facility, gondola cableway and luxury waterfront homes with private berths are just some of the newest developments set to double the Whitsundays tourism economy within two years.

With potential to grow by an extra $600 million to hit $2.14 billion by 2025 there is now a push for more mainland offerings to attract families and the drive market to the Whitsundays.

Here is a list of the top 10 works positioning the Whitsundays region for what Brisbane-based researcher and Aurelius director Peter Bell is calling “a golden era of growth”.

2025 Whitsundays Growth Plan targets.

WORKS COMPLETED

Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, Airlie Beach

The Shute Harbour Marine Terminal. Picture: Supplied

Completed in December 2021 and comprising a two storey marine terminal, the restoration involved the complete rebuild of the seawall, terminal, pontoons and car park at Airlie Beach.

The overall build cost $63.5 million and involved raising the level of the entire facility and car park by an extra metre for greater resilience to storm surge in the future.

A range of resort connections, tours and experiences are now available from the harbour including Cruise Whitsundays, SeaLink, Reefstar Cruises and Explore Hamilton Island.

Luxury cruise ships were also welcomed back to the terminal in November this year, with Celebrity Eclipse the first one to dock in over two years.

Proserpine Entertainment Centre, Proserpine

Impressions of the view of the new Proserpine Entertainment Centre from Main Street.

Following the devastating effects of Cyclone Debbie, the Proserpine Entertainment Centre reopened in March last year after an $18.7 million rebuild.

The new, state of the art events and convention centre is a hub of performing arts and world-class entertainment, offering a platform for stars of all ages and backgrounds to shine.

It provides tiered retractable seating, a large stage and scenery dock, dressing rooms, a main hall and function centre for use as a multi-use space, and a ticketing area.

Also on site is a cafe and bar area, full commercial kitchen, outdoor performance area, entrance foyer and car park.

Flagstaff Hill Cultural and Conference Centre, Bowen

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox officially open Flagstaff Hill Cultural and Conference Centre at Bowen. Picture: Contributed

Officially reopened in March 2021, the $4 million Flagstaff Hill complex replaces the old one which was also damaged by Cyclone Debbie.

Maximising the site’s enormous potential and panoramic views, the conference centre now has a cafe space, giftshop, floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor entertainment and function area.

“Flagstaff Hill provides 360-degree views of the Whitsunday Islands, Coral Sea and Bowen hinterland,” MP for Dawson Andrew Willcox said at the official opening.

“The centre can cater for up to 200 patrons and is located next to a walking trail and lookout which informs visitors about the impact and legacy of our Indigenous community.”

A 2km aerial tramway from the mainland to Stone Island is also proposed for the site, with an extra support tower to be built on the in-between North Head Island.

IN DEVELOPMENT

Gilmour Space Launch Centre, Bowen

A mock-up of the launch site at Bowen for Gilmour Space Industries. Picture: Gilmour Space Industries

The countdown is on for the launch of the first rocket from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport at the 16,800ha industrial precinct surrounding the Abbot Point Port and with construction underway after a string of delays, it is said to be some time this year.

“Bowen is located about 20 degrees south of the equator which geographically makes it the ideal location to actually launch rockets and send satellites into space,” Mr Willcox said.

“The construction of the Bowen Orbital Spaceport is exciting for Bowen and will provide an enormous economic and tourism injection for the region.”

 Shute Harbor Marina Resort, Airlie Beach

Shute Harbour Marina Resort. Source: Supplied

The Whitsundays’ first major resort development in more than a decade, the Shute Harbour Marina Resort will restore and revitalise one of the region’s key marine infrastructure assets through the development of a 395-berth marina, a new resort hotel and residential precinct with restaurants and retail outlets.

“Australians have a growing appreciation of the region and everything it has to offer in terms of lifestyle and growth potential,” managing director Sam Wade said.

A small number of fixed-price luxury waterfront packages at the resort have just been released with two designer build options.

Part of the $350 million resort, the fixed-price collection comes on the heels of the recent success of a preliminary residential release at the resort last year which generated more than $21.5 million in sales contracts issued.

PROPOSED

Mountain Bike Tracks, Preston

The location of the proposed Twin Creeks Eco Park in Preston, Whitsundays. Picture: Veris

In an application to Whitsunday Regional Council, Blue Jeep Investments outlined plans to build Stage 1 of the Twin Creeks Eco Park on a 162ha site nestled between the Conway National Park, off Duval Road in Preston.

If approved, the steep site would feature various mountain biking trails ranging in difficulty from easy, suited to walkers and mountain bikers alike, to extreme for riders-only.

Documents state the project aims to address the “severe lack of mainland tourist opportunities” and tap into the “exponential growth” witnessed in the mountain bike tourism industry.

‘Water for Bowen’, Bowen

The construction of the Bowen Pipeline to deliver water security in northern Queensland and protect and create jobs in the agricultural sector is in the works with an $80 million commitment from the government.

Supported by five pump stations, this vital piece of infrastructure will see around 100 kilometres of underground pipeline built from the Burdekin River to Bowen.

The key objective of the project is to provide a long-term reliable water supply to urban, industrial and agricultural customers in the Bowen region.

Former Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said water supply and security played a fundamental role in the future prosperity of the region.

“This pipeline will be capable of transferring 100 gigalitres of water every year to agricultural, industry and community water users in the Bowen region,” Mr Joyce said.

“The region is Australia’s largest winter vegetable growing area, supplying 19 varieties of vegetables and fruits to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

“The Bowen Pipeline project will support existing agricultural operations, enable irrigation of up to 40,000 hectares of additional land, and support the creation of up to 3,000 jobs in the horticulture, agriculture, and aquaculture sectors.”

 The Whitsunday Skyway Project, Airlie Beach

The view from the top of the Whitsunday Skyway proposed development.

The Whitsunday Skyway project has been on the cards since Cyclone Debbie, and if approvals are gained, the build would provide a gondola cableway connecting the centre of Airlie Beach to the summit of an adjacent 430 metre high hilltop in Conway National Park.

The cable-car would leave from a block of land on Waterson Way, behind Magnum’s Backpackers, with the summit overlooking Airlie Beach, the Coral Sea and nearby Whitsunday Islands.

Camp Ground expansion, Lake Proserpine

The campground at Lake Proserpine to become a major tourist hub.

Lake Proserpine is receiving a major camping ground upgrade with the Whitsunday Regional Council soon to build cabins, BBQs, fire pits, managers quarters and a playground as well as increasing the 120 unpowered camp sites currently available to 200.

Heart of the Reef Discovery Centre, Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach Lagoon. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland Escape

The proposal for the Whitsundays Heart of the Reef Discovery Centre are still in the planning phase with the aim to establish a state-of-the-art facility providing technological and real exhibits aimed at excellence in interpretation – drawing on science, research, and storytelling to give visitors an enriching experience about the Great Barrier Reef.

Four concepts for consideration include a sound and light show located at Airlie Beach Lagoon, progressive storytelling through Airlie Beach, Physical Discovery Centre experience co-located with another tourism experience and a stand-alone Discovery Centre experience in Airlie Beach.

SHELVED

Urannah Dam, Bowen Basin

An aerial view of the proposed Urannah Dam site west of Mackay. Picture: Supplied

A $2.9 billion dam on the Broken River to irrigate up to 25,000ha and deliver a pumped hydro-electric power scheme appeared on track to begin construction in 2025 after securing a $483m budget allocation from the former Coalition government.

But Labor’s federal budget in October cut the funding, and Bowen River CEO James Benjamin now says a complex approvals process has forced him to re-evaluate the enterprise.

CONSIDERATIONS

With 69 per cent of Whitsunday residents happy with continued development growth as reported in a survey by Tourism and Events Queensland, development challenges include threats to the marine and natural environment, severe weather events and attracting and retaining a skilled workforce.

However, the Whitsundays region is already a major tourism drawcard and on track to be worth $1.53 billion within the next three years.

“Australians have a growing appreciation of the region and everything it has to offer in terms of lifestyle and growth potential,” Shute Harbour managing director Sam Wade said.

Originally published as The Whitsundays tourism economy to grow by an extra $600 million