Western Australia is set to see a surge in distinctive tourism accommodation options, with the Cook Government announcing the recipients of the inaugural Unique Tourist Accommodation Proposals (UTAP) program.
According to a press release by the Government of Western Australia, supported through Tourism WA, the program will fund 17 new accommodation projects across Perth and regional Western Australia, ranging from eco-lodges and glamping tents to treehouses, heritage buildings, and Aboriginal camp sites.
Under the competitive grant scheme, tourism operators and developers were invited to apply for up to $100,000 in financial support to help fund planning assessments and studies required for development approvals.
The goal of the program is to develop a steady pipeline of accommodation that delivers authentic, memorable visitor experiences connected to Western Australia’s unique landscapes and culture.
The UTAP program contributes to the State’s broader economic diversification strategy by expanding the range and quality of visitor accommodation in high-demand areas across WA’s five tourism regions.
It also helps address shortages in key destinations, while strengthening the local economy through tourism growth and job creation.
Funding recipients include Dirk Hartog Glamping, which will prepare a masterplan and feasibility study for 12 eco-luxury tents with private ensuites; The Dam near William Bay National Park, which will undertake geotechnical, bushfire, and landscape studies; and Murchison River Camp in the Mid West, which will explore plans for 12 glamping tents overlooking the river.
Other projects include Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge in the Kimberley, which will expand its safari tents, and Bickley Tree Stay in the Perth Hills, which will use its grant for environmental and wildlife studies.
Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said, “This program is an exciting step forward for Western Australia’s tourism industry, with 17 innovative projects supported to progress planning and approvals stages to create a pipeline of exciting new accommodation choices for visitors.”
Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson added that the initiative “is showcasing the beauty of regional Western Australia and creating pathways to promote our most spectacular locations that are found off the beaten track.”
This highlights Western Australia’s growing investment in sustainable, experience-driven accommodation options that expand travel opportunities and attract more visitors to regional destinations.