Mareeba Bush Stays has expanded its accommodation offering with the launch of four new glamping tents, marking an investment aimed at broadening the property’s appeal to travelers seeking higher-comfort outdoor experiences while complementing its existing business serving caravanners and RV visitors.
The new accommodations were officially unveiled during an opening event attended by Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen, Mareeba Deputy Mayor Lenore Wyatt, and Member for Barron River Bree James. The launch introduced four purpose-built glamping tents designed to provide guests with modern amenities while maintaining a nature-based experience.
Owner Norm Caird said he was pleased with how the project had been completed.
“It’s turned out better than I thought, it’s quite a nice setup,” he told The Express.
“We’ve had quite a lot of bookings already, thanks to (the opening). We’ve had over 5000 hits on the Facebook and we’ve had a lot of calls with people wanting to book, so those are very positive signs.”
According to Bush Stays staff member and qualified builder Ian Reig, construction began around May 1 of last year but encountered delays before work resumed earlier this year after weather conditions improved and site access was restored.
“We started about 1 May last year but we had a couple of hold ups with a couple of different things,” he said.
“Then we started again early this year – once we were able to get vehicles in here after the wet – and then it only took another couple of months after that,” he said.
To accommodate the new development, Caird secured council approval to prepare land surrounding a dam on the property, an area that could be used for commercial purposes under existing zoning requirements.
“I had to get permission from the council to do something on this land because it’s all zoned,” he said.
“There’s not much land on this property that you can use for commercial projects, luckily for me, I could use this area right around the dam.”
The completed tents include power, plumbing, and an eco-friendly sewerage system. Each accommodation features a private deck, outdoor bathtub, and modern furnishings. Caird said Australian-made materials were used throughout the project where possible, while local contractors and businesses contributed to construction.
The development was supported by a $200,000 grant from the Queensland Government, with Caird estimating the total project investment at approximately $500,000.
The expansion reflects a broader trend across the outdoor hospitality industry, where campground and RV park operators are introducing premium accommodations to diversify revenue streams and appeal to guests who may be new to camping or looking for higher-end experiences.
For park owners, glamping accommodations can complement traditional RV and caravan sites by attracting different customer segments and extending the property’s market reach without replacing existing offerings.
Located near Granite Gorge, Mareeba Bush Stays has established itself as a destination for caravanners, RV travelers, and regional visitors.
The addition of glamping tents represents another example of how established outdoor hospitality businesses are investing in accommodation diversification to respond to changing guest preferences while leveraging existing natural assets and infrastructure.