$2 million nature-based tourism boost
The $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund (ENTF) aimed to spur investment in nature-based tourism experiences to make South Australia more competitive in luring domestic and international tourists.
Grants ranged 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 aimed to showcase South Australia’s natural landscapes while also encouraging visitors to enjoy and learn more about these important natural and cultural assets.
The now fully allocated $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund has supported a total of 63 projects worth almost $3.5 million in combined project value.
Successful projects
A total of 63 nature tourism products and experiences were granted funding over the four rounds of the Experience Nature Tourism Fund.
The $2 million in grants will unlock almost $3.5 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 1:
|
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 2:
| 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 3:
| 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 |
Grant recipients from Round 4:
| Region | Operator | Grant | Total Project Value |
| Fleurieu Peninsula, Murray River Lakes and Coorong |
The Tailor Touring Co: A new private small group tour “The Coorong Connection: A Cultural and Natural Encounter”. Guests will experience the Coorong’s unique ecosystem and a Ngarrindjeri cultural experience, via a new Landcruiser 300 VX. |
$50,000 | $101,025 |
|
Kangaroo Island |
Research and Discovery Coastal Tours Kangaroo Island: Improvement of boat capabilities to supporting the delivery of a citizen-science experience, “Reef Resilience Project”, which monitors the health of South Australia’s Great Southern Reef and supports ecological recovery from the algal bloom event. |
$50,000 |
$66,321 |
|
Yorke Peninsula |
Neptunes / Neptunes Surf Coaching: Two new land-based tourism experiences: “The Dolphin and Coastal Discovery Experience” half-day guided tour through Dhilba Guuranda–Innes National Park, and the “Walk the Yorke Shuttle” for hikers with optional equipment hire. |
$44,400 |
$55,967 |
|
Flinders Ranges and Outback |
Discovery Resorts - Wilpena Pound: The design and construction of a permanent Yarning Circle to host a new Adnyamathanha cultural bush tucker experience. |
$39,700 |
$49,679 |
|
Eyre Peninsula |
Ancient Land Tours: A new trailer to increase operational capacity, enabling tours to reach remote areas of Far West Eyre Peninsula. Marketing support to promote new itineraries. |
$27,200 |
$34,021 |
|
Flinders Ranges and Outback |
Skytrek Willow Springs Station: New guided tours through Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park, Nilpena Ediacara National Park and Willow Springs Station via the procurement of a new Toyota HiAce 300 Series. |
$50,000 |
$161,066 |
|
Kangaroo Island |
The Koala Sanctuary: The design and delivery of innovative koala-focused experiences that enhances the experience at the Sanctuary and activates Flinders Chase National Park. |
$39,300 |
$49,200 |
|
Kangaroo Island |
Kangaroo Island Trails: A new 5-day guided eco tour of Kangaroo Island (ex Adelaide), accessing Baudin Conservation Park, Flinders Chase, and Kelly Hill, via the procurement of a new 2019 Toyota Commuter GL 12 seater bus. |
$41,300 |
$51,672 |
|
Adelaide, |
Radelaide Tours: New family-friendly and astronomy tours visiting National Parks in the evening via the purchase of a 13-seater van. |
$50,000 |
$81,457 |
|
Riverland |
Griffens Marina Blanchetown: The development of small-group guided cruises and self-guided kayaking tours through Roonka and Morgan Conservation Parks, via the upgrade of a 6-bedroom houseboat and purchase of 2x kayaks and associated equipment. |
$14,700 |
$18,399 |
|
Limestone Coast |
Tracx: The purchase of e-bikes to attract new visitors on an existing mountain bike tour itinerary through Little Dip Conservation Park. |
$35,300 |
$44,182 |
|
Flinders Ranges and Outback |
Catninga Hut: Creation of new visitor facilities at Catninga Hut, increasing overnight capacity and improving the quality of the visitor experience, encouraging increased length of stay and more visitation to surrounding National Parks. |
$20,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Clare Valley |
Skillogalee Estate: A new self-guided e-bike picnic experience, titled “Spring Gully Cycle & Graze”. Through the procurement of new e-bikes, visitors will be able to ride from Skillogalee Estate to Spring Gully Conservation Park on a 3-hour loop tour. |
$47,500 |
$59,963 |
|
Eyre Peninsula |
Coffin Bay Tourist Association: 14 new interpretive signs throughout Kellidie Bay Conservation Park, Thorny Passage Marine Park and Coffin Bay National Park. The signs will feature QR Codes linking visitors to newly created interpretative information, visual assets and content on Coffin Bay Tourism’s website. |
$19,800 |
$24,806 |
|
Adelaide |
Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours: The purchase of new kayaks and boat upgrades to enable a new 2-hour twilight kayak tour through mangrove forest at Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. |
$27,000 |
$33,799 |
|
Adelaide, |
Escapegoat Adventures: Purchase of a new luxury vehicle to enable premium small group e-bike tours and transfers for self-guided tours accessing National Parks. |
$20,000 |
$55,000 |
|
Fleurieu Peninsula |
SA eBikes: Establishment of an e-bike hub and the purchase of new e-bikes to enable new Aboriginal cultural tours that meet broad accessibility requirements in Onkaparinga Gorge National Park. |
$49,700 |
$74,251 |
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: