The $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund will spur investment in nature-based tourism experiences and make South Australia more competitive in luring domestic and international tourists.
Grants from $10,000 to $50,000 will be available 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.
Applications open at 9am on 5 September 2022 and close at 5pm on 21 October 2022.
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.
Want to know more?
Experience Nature Tourism Fund – Program Guidelines
Refer to the program guidelines for further information including eligibility criteria, how to apply, funding limits and project timeframes, as well as the assessment process.
Any company, organisation or individual proposing to conduct commercial activities within the parks system requires a licence; and not all activities are permitted in all parks.
If the project is to operate within a national park, applicants must have in-principle support from the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) prior to commencing an application.
To submit your application to DEW for in-principle support, complete the online form.
To see what information is required in this form, download the template form available at the link below.
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:
