Visitors can soon mountain bike through some of Cudlee Creek’s most difficult terrain. You can also enjoy upgraded accommodations in Belair and get up in the stunning Limestone Cost region at South Australia’s most recent glamping spot.
Amounting to AU$1.8 million, the three new experiences are made possible by the SA Government’s Nature-Based Tourism Co-Investment Fund which will grant AU$961,000 of funding to the three initiatives.
The exciting new tourism projects include 20 new glamping tents, as well as amenities in Dingley Dell Conservation Park, improvements to the 40-year-old lodging facilities located in Belair National Park Holiday Park, and new customized mountain bike shuttle vehicles to increase services at the Fox Creek Bike Park within Cudlee Creek Forest.
The projects have demonstrated economic, social, and local conservation benefits. As part of their progress, owners are expected to contribute to conservation initiatives like restoring habitats as well as revegetation and rewilding.
The Minister of Environment and Water David Speirs stated, “These three projects, with the help of the Marshall Liberal Government, will deliver sustainable, quality tourism experiences across South Australia and drive the visitor economy further and faster.
This includes better access to mountain biking in the Adelaide Hills, new accommodation opportunities at Belair National Park, and glamping on the Limestone Coast.
“All of these new nature-based tourism ventures offer visitors unique experiences and importantly contribute towards conservation projects such as restoring habitat or revegetation.”
The fund is awarded to three successful applicants, namely:
- The Dingley Dell Cottage($233,000 grant to cover the total cost of $46,000). The grant recipient Steve Moignard currently operates the Coonawarra Bush Holiday Park, 25km to the north of Penola in the Limestone Coast. The fund will be used to build similar accommodations close to the museum’s heritage-listed cottage located in Dingley Dell Conservation Park, situated on the outskirts Port Macdonnell. The facility will comprise 20 new canvas tents for camping with showers, amenities and other facilities. The cottage, which is believed to be the home of Adam Lindsay Gordon, one of Australia’s most famous poets, will also be renovated and maintained regularly of the gardens and stables. Better events and touring experiences will also be developed.
- The Belair National Park Holiday Park($679,488 grant to cover the total amount of $1.3 million) will be used to improve the accommodation available in the park, which translates to an average of 10,000 guest night reservations. The investment will create an upgraded four-star accommodation offering in Belair which will attract visitors to want a more luxurious experience. It will also provide two brand new double ensuites for campers to use as well as renovation to 12 cabins that are older than 40 years.
- Escapegoat Adventures($48,750 grants for a a total cost of $97,500) is owned by a family of mountain bike company that offers training for riders tours, bike rentals and tours across a variety of locations in South Australia, including Fox Creek Bike Park within Cudlee Creek Forest. The grant will allow the company to increase their natue-based tourism shuttle service in Fox Creek Bike Park by buying a 12-seater car vehicle, a trailer, as well as an AWD buggy to transport cyclists and their bikes.
Fund applicants are eligible to apply for grants of AU$20,000-$1 million. They are required to contribute at least 50 percent of the total cost of their venture.
The fund will be open until June 2022, or until the AU$5 million SA Government investment is exhausted.
To find out more visit www.parks.sa.gov.au/park-management/improving-sa-national-parks/nbt-co-investment-fund.