The $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund aims to spur investment in nature-based tourism experiences and make South Australia more competitive in luring domestic and international tourists.
Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000 for new and improved nature-based tourism products and experiences in or near a national park, reserve, wilderness protection area or marine park.
The Experience Nature Tourism Fund aims to showcase South Australia’s natural landscapes while also encouraging visitors to enjoy and learn more about these important natural and cultural assets to the state.
Stay tuned for future round announcements.
Belair National Park, Adelaide Hills
Funding streams
Grants are available via two funding streams:
Stream 1 – Quick Activation Projects, grants from $10,000 to $20,000
Provided for projects that are ready to be activated. These grants could include one-off purchases.
Stream 2 – Innovative Development Projects, grants from $20,001 to $50,000
Provided for bigger projects which may have a longer duration and multiple elements.
Who can apply?
Applications to the Fund are limited to private businesses, not-for-profit organisations and community associations, including:
Sole traders
Partnerships
Companies and trusts
Not-for-profit organisations
Community and progress associations
What types of projects are eligible?
Examples could include the purchase of equipment for experiences such as snorkelling, kayaking, cultural tours, wildlife viewing, and other ‘pop up’ activities in national parks such as camping. On land adjacent to parks, it could also include new or refurbished off-grid accommodation such as tiny homes, cabins and glamping tents, and infrastructure such as toilets and solar power generation.
Examples could include the purchase of equipment for experiences such as snorkelling, kayaking, cultural tours, wildlife viewing, and other ‘pop up’ activities in national parks such as camping. On land adjacent to parks, it could also include new or refurbished off-grid accommodation such as tiny homes, cabins and glamping tents, and infrastructure such as toilets and solar power generation.
Making an application
The Experience Nature Tourism Fund will have four rounds over four years, with the next round announced in 2023.
The Grant Agreement outlines the conditions of the provision of the funding.
Applicants will be required to agree to grant Terms & Conditions at the time of application stipulating obligations and conditions under which grant funding will be given to eligible applicants. The South Australian Tourism Commission will not be legally obliged to pay any grant monies to an applicant without an approval letter issued by the SATC.
A total of 18 nature tourism products and experiences have been granted funding under round one of the Experience Nature Tourism Fund.
A total of nearly $486,000 in grants will unlock more than $824,000 in combined project value, supporting operators to attract more domestic and international visitors, while showcasing the state’s natural landscapes.
Grant recipients include:
Region
Project
Grant
Total project value
Adelaide Hills
Bike About - The purchase of additional electric mountain bikes to increase capacity for Bike About experiences entering Cleland National Park.
Focused Expeditions - Purchase of cameras and equipment to provide to guests who do not own their own equipment when partaking in various Photographic Safaris into national parks across the state.
$11,577
$14,472
Barossa
Barossa Wellness - Purchase of trailer and equipment, and marketing activity to conduct and promote a new Immersive Forest Program.
$19,461
$24,327
Eyre Peninsula
Australian Coastal Safaris - Purchase of a new vehicle to operate the two-day ‘Health & Wellness Weekender’ tour including content creation and branding.
$50,000
$117,581
Eyre Peninsula
Pod[e] - Purchase of e-bikes, snorkel equipment and marketing activity to promote the new E-bike and Coast experience from the Pod[e] accommodation.
$19,988
$24,985
Eyre Peninsula
Tour South - Purchase of an off-road kitchen trailer to serve local beverages and food in remote four-wheel drive areas of Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay National Park.
Brindabella Sailing - Purchase of new equipment to operate new day and overnight sailing journeys from Outer Harbor and Port Lincoln to various South Australian marine parks.
$18,424
$23,030
Fleurieu Peninsula
Naiko Retreat - Purchase of MULE 6-seater vehicle to provide nature tours on existing accommodation property and transport to surrounding national parks.
$50,000
$98,173
Fleurieu Peninsula
Southern Ocean Walk - Purchase of equipment to enhance the customer’s experience and promotion of the Southern Ocean Walk through a targeted campaign in Australia’s leading walking magazine.e
$10,241
$12,802
Fleurieu Peninsula
Off Piste 4WD Tours - Purchase of a trailer, equipment and conduct marketing activity to launch a new tour focusing on Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri culture and the natural habitat.
$11,360
$14,200
Fleurieu Peninsula
Tribal Expertise Facility (Kool Tours) - Purchase of vehicle, trailer and camping equipment to operate new overnight immersion experience in Deep Creek National Park.
$35,304
$44,130
Flinders Ranges & Outback
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary - Introduction of new accommodation platforms to launch a new overnight camping experience at the Streitberg Ridge in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.
$50,000
$146,044
Flinders Ranges & Outback
Crew’s Rest - Refurbishment of the old headmaster’s residence into tourist accommodation suitable for bookings of up to 12 guests, located in close proximity to Wapma Thura - Southern Flinders Ranges National Park.
$50,000
$70,495
Kangaroo Island
Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island - Purchase of a vehicle to operate small group touring and shuttle services for guests of the Sea Dragon lodge.
$50,000
$90,763
Limestone Coast
Bush Adventures - Purchase of a trailer and equipment to operate an immersive eco-tourism experience through various national parks throughout the Limestone Coast.
$15,339
$19,174
Riverland
The Frames - Purchase of equipment and development of marketing content and campaign activity to launch and operate a new luxury camping experience in the Murray River National Park and Chowilla Game Reserve with a focus on Aboriginal cultural tourism.
$20,000
$30,052
Riverland
Canoe the Riverland - Upgrade of ‘Captain’s Cottage’ accommodation including solar system installation to improve the visitor experience.
$10,044
$12,555
Yorke Peninsula
Neptunes Surf Coaching - Purchase of equipment and marketing activity to improve and promote the current experiences provided.
$29,870
$37,338
Want to know more?
Online information session
The session provides an overview of the Experience Nature Tourism Fund program and how to apply, as well as details of support services to transform good ideas into great grant applications.
The free online information session ran in partnership with the Tourism Industry Council of SA (TiCSA).
Contact us
For enquiries about the Fund, contact the South Australian Tourism Commission at:
For enquiries about a particular park or reserve or the licence requirements associated with operating in a national park, contact the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) at:
