Apply for nature tourism grants, icon reopens, Gather Round dates, & more…
For operators wanting to grow or introduce nature-based tourism products and experiences, now is the time to apply for the third round of our Experience Nature Tourism Fund. Grants from $10,000 to $50,000 are available for new and improved nature-based tourism products and experiences in or near a national park, reserve, wilderness protection area or marine park.
Please note, projects may require a letter of in-principle support from the Department for Environment & Water (DEW), and these should be requested well in advance of submitting an application. Head to our website for details including a range of useful resources to help you prepare your application.
In an exciting milestone for Kangaroo Island, the new Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre is now open after the former building was destroyed in the 2020 bushfires. The impressive new ecologically sustainable, fire-resistant building at Karatta will be the gateway to some of the region’s most iconic attractions and includes a café and souvenir shop.
I was pleased to join the Deputy Premier the Hon Susan Close, Minister for Tourism the Hon Zoe Bettison, as well as representatives from the Department for Environment & Water, Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance, and the local tourism industry for the official opening of the centre last Friday. I look forward to seeing it contribute to the visitor experience on the island.
Dates have been locked in for the 2025 AFL Gather Round, which is set to draw visitors from across the country to South Australia when the event returns on 10-13 April. This date coincides with school holidays across the country, making it even easier for more families to be part of the footy festival action.
Independent analysis undertaken for the AFL by IER revealed the 2024 Gather Round contributed $91.6 million to our state’s economy – a 10 per cent increase on the inaugural Gather Round in 2023; while the total number of visitor nights increased by 40,209. Plans are well underway to continue to grow the benefits of this event for our state and showcase why South Australia is the event destination of choice.
Illuminate Adelaide is off to a shining start, with the first weekend drawing crowds to our CBD. Coinciding with the start of the school holidays, this major winter event helps entice locals off the couch and into restaurants, bars and venues throughout the traditionally quieter month of July.
Emma Terry
Chief Executive Officer
South Australian Tourism Commission