$2 million nature-based tourism boost

The $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund (ENTF) 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 ENTF aims to showcase South Australia’s natural landscapes while also encouraging visitors to enjoy and learn more about these important natural and cultural assets.

The ENTF will have four rounds over four years. 

Round three applications are now closed.

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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

Small grants for projects that are ready for activation such as one-off purchases.

Stream 2 – Innovative Development Projects, grants from $20,001 to $50,000

Larger grants for projects which may have a higher cost, longer duration and/or multiple components.

 


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 (not as a standalone project).

Ikara Safari Camp, Flinders Ranges & Outback
Coorong National Park, Murray River, Lakes & Coorong
Coffin Bay, Eyre Peninsula
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 (not as a standalone project).

MORE INFORMATION

A total of 33 nature tourism products and experiences have been granted funding under the first two rounds of the Experience Nature Tourism Fund. 

To date, a total of nearly $1 million in grants will unlock almost $1.6 million in combined project value, supporting operators to attract more domestic and international visitors, while showcasing the state’s natural landscapes.

Grant recipients from round one:

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.

$20,000

$26,295

Adelaide Hills; Fleurieu Peninsula; Flinders Ranges & Outback; Kangaroo Island; Limestone Coast; Murray River, Lakes & Coorong

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.

$14,192

$17,740

Eyre Peninsula; Fleurieu Peninsula; Kangaroo Island; Yorke Peninsula

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

 

 

Grant recipients from round two:

Region     Operator and project  Grant  Total project value
Adelaide and Adelaide Hills   EscapeGoat Adventures 
Purchase of ebikes to upgrade fleet located in Belair National Park and purchase of GPS units to assist self-guided visitors
$20,000     $25,920
Eyre Peninsula Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris    
Refurbishment of tents at the Kangaluna Camp for tour participants entering the Gawler Ranges National Park  
$14,400 $18,000
Eyre Peninsula  Flinders Island Eco Escape    
Purchase of a vehicle for guest transfers and guest-led touring including education equipment to showcase the Investigator Marine Park
$20,000 $25,000
Eyre Peninsula Australian Coastal Safaris    
Purchase of a new mobile kitchen trailer and accessories to grow capacity and host high end culinary experiences in Lincoln, Coffin Bay & Nullarbor National Parks and West Coast Bays Marine Park
$25,136 $34,190
Fleurieu Peninsula The Backyard Universe    
Development of two new tours entering Deep Creek National Park and Talisker Conservation Park including a night tour and enhancement of an existing tour. Purchase of new equipment and implementation of marketing activities 
$19,452 $24,316
Flinders Ranges and Outback Camel Treks Australia
Purchase of equipment to improve visitor comfort and safety for multi-day outback expeditions surrounding Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park 
$26,480  $33,100
Kangaroo Island Research and Discovery Coastal Tours Kangaroo Island
Purchase of equipment to introduce a two-day eco-tour encouraging involvement in citizen science as visitors collect and analyse data on vulnerable and endangered species
$18,525 $23,157
Kangaroo Island Untamed Escapes
Purchase of a new bus and tour trailer to operate a 3 day Kangaroo Island Adventure tour entering multiple national parks
 $50,000 $143,731
Limestone Coast Walk the Limestone Coast
Purchase of vehicle to transport walkers to daily walk points on two multi-day walking tours visiting Limestone Coast national parks
$20,000 $30,490 
Mainly operating in Limestone Coast, tour also enters: Adelaide, Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Limestone Coast, Murray River Lakes & Coorong, and Riverland See Adelaide and Beyond
Purchase of new vehicle to increase capacity on multi day tour bringing visitors from Victoria to Adelaide, visiting Naracoorte Caves National Park
$50,000 $74,596
Murray River, Lakes and Coorong Ngarrindjeri Lands and Progress Aboriginal Corporation    
Development of new Ngarrindjeri cultural walking tours in Coorong National Park. Purchase of equipment, training, marketing and product development to support project 
$47,096   $58,871   
Murray River, Lakes and Coorong Mannum Aboriginal Community Association, 
Enhancement of the ‘Black Duck Dreaming Tour’ operating in Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park through the purchase of equipment and marketing
$24,540 $30,675
Fleurieu Peninsula and Murray River, Lakes & Coorong Canoe the Coorong    
Purchase of a new vehicle to transport visitors to experience tours into Coorong National Park including introduction of transfers within the region
$37,818 $47,273  
Yorke Peninsula  Bayside Glamping
Construction of new cabin on the outskirts of Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park in Marion Bay
$50,000 $143,903    
Multiple regions: Fleurieu Peninsula, Flinders Ranges & Outback, Murray River Lakes & Coorong, Riverland, Yorke Peninsula Australian Private Tours & Charters and SA Eco Tours
Refurbishment of three touring vehicles to increase passenger capacity and marketing for tours which visit eight national parks across South Australia
$40,752 $50,942  

 

Grant recipients from round three:

Region Operator Grant Total Project Value
Clare Valley

Wander: Purchase of e-bikes, related equipment, picnic packs and storage sheds for hire from Wander at Paulett Wines, providing guests a low impact way to get to Spring Gully Conservation Park for picnics and exploration.

$48,694 $60,868
Eyre Peninsula

Fowlers Bay Caravan Park: Purchase of vehicle and equipment to introduce new guided tag-along tours within the Fowlers Bay Conservation Park.    

$50,000 $75,268
Eyre Peninsula 

Flinders Island Eco Escape: Build of a custom transfer trailer to transport guest luggage and supplies to Flinders Island and marketing activities. Increasing accessibility and quality of the Flinders Island product, which is surrounded by the Investigator Group Marine Park.

$42,798 $53,498
Flinders Ranges & Outback, Clare Valley 

Bike About: Purchase of a vehicle and e-bikes to deliver a new 7-day e-bike tour through the Clare Valley and Flinders Ranges entering Flinders Ranges National Park and Mount Remarkable National Park.

$50,000 $76,887
Flinders Ranges & Outback

Wadna: Enhancement of visitor services including facilities and interpretive signage for visitors joining the tours into the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park.    

$19,898 $24,872
Kangaroo Island 

Kangaroo Island Ocean Safari: Purchase of cold weather snorkelling gear to provide comfort year-round and increase the offering in the off season for tours entering the Encounter Marine Park.    

$43,000 $53,957
Kangaroo Island 

Kangaroo Island Touring Company: Purchase of luxury touring vehicle for private touring into national parks and delivery of luxury touring of multi day guided walks along the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail.    

$50,000 $159,806
Kangaroo Island 

Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island: Purchase of vehicle to operate new nature- based experiences visiting various national parks across Cape Willoughby and Dudley Peninsula.

$50,000 $72,157
Limestone Coast

Penola Coonawarra Caravan Park: Purchase of e-bikes to run new half day and full day e-bike, walking and bird watching tours to the Penola Conservation Park including visits to other local businesses and wine tasting.

$15,854 $19,818
Limestone Coast

Coonawarra Experiences: Purchase of a vehicle, equipment and marketing activities to launch two new tours – Caves and Coast and Culture and Caves, visiting multiple national parks in the Limestone Coast.

$50,000 $122,698
Limestone Coast

Walk the Limestone Coast: The creation of videography and photography assets to promote Limestone Coast Escape tour which enters multiple national parks in the region.

$11,640 $14,550
Murray River, Lakes & Coorong

Freedom Boat Hire: Purchase of a Pontoon Boat to run new on-river nature-based tours from Murray Bridge.

$50,000 $99,400
Riverland

Canoe the Riverland: Purchase of a Pontoon Boat with transport to run new tours along river allowing visitors to experience less accessible areas of Riverland national parks.

$50,000 $80,000

 



Contact us

For enquiries about the Fund, contact the South Australian Tourism Commission at: 

[email protected]

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:

[email protected]