IT’S ALL GO FOR ECO
Hinterland tourism overhaul with $2.5m wonders
THE State Government is pumping $2.5 million into Hinterland eco-tourism, redeveloping Green Mountains camping and building a stunning Binna Burra cliff-climbing attraction.
After post-bushfire recovery promises, Tourism Minister Kate Jones revealed: “This project has the potential to be a game changer.”
THE State Government is to announce two new key ecotourism projects in the Gold Coast Hinterland – a big boost to the Green Mountains Campground and Australia’s first permanent climbing course at Binna Burra.
Both projects are destined to go forward, after Government officers checked the two areas including the rock course and found them not impacted by the recent fires.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones today will detail the $2.5 million investment, which will see the Government partner with the O’Reilly family to deliver a major redevelopment of the campground in Lamington National Park.
Permanent tent accommodation will be available to tourists without facilities or unable to afford nearby resort rooms, along with access to a kitchen.
The new climbing routes are to be supported by steel cables, fixed metal rungs, bridges and ladders to enable cliff-face climbing.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the initiatives were in addition to tourism campaigns to be launched in coming weeks.
“The best help anyone can give these communities is to visit and spend,” the Premier said.
“Beechmont and Lower Beechmont are some of the most beautiful areas of Queensland with a host of accommodation, cafes and natural attractions.”
Ms Jones first encountered the project 10 years ago, which was stalled after Labor lost office and Cyclone Debbie caused landslides.
“Eco-tourism is the next big thing in our industry, generating millions of dollars annually. This project has the potential to be a game changer for tourism in the Gold Coast Hinterland,” she said.
Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister Meaghan Scanlon confirmed the redevelopment works would be completed in time for Easter 2020.
“We are committed to delivering eco-tourism projects that create jobs. This project will have great flow-on benefits for the Gold Coast tourism industry,” the Gaven MP said.
Gold Coast Tourism chair Paul Donovan told the Bulletin: “I’ve been pushing for this opening up of national parks since I’ve been here. It’s so important going forward. That’s what everyone wants.
“We’ve got 640 kilometres of walking trail in the hinterland. We need to open up. Have a look at what’s making Tasmania thrive.”
The Green Mountains Campground was closed in May 2019 for redevelopment as part of the transfer of management to the O’Reilly family, with work set to start in November. The family already operates O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
The O’Reillys estimate it will create 30 construction jobs and five operational jobs.
Binna Burra Lodge meanwhile estimates that within three years the “via ferrata’’ climbing route will be attracting 41,000 international visitors a year who will spend more than $5 million in the region.