Queensland Government continues to invest in tourism attractions

The Queensland Government is partnering with the private tourism sector across the state to deliver projects that are injecting millions of dollars into local businesses.

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones has revealed that the Queensland Government has invested $115 million in new tourism infrastructure to deliver 73 projects, leveraging nearly $200 million from the private sector and creating around 1800 jobs.

While COVID-19 has delayed the completion date for a number of projects, Minister Jones said of the projects delivered by the government, 24 were already built with another dozen expected to be complete by Christmas.

Minister Jones advised that the $115 million invested in new tourism attractions included $25 million invested to deliver projects on twelve Great Barrier Reef Islands adding “already we’ve seen the huge difference our Great Barrier Reef island rejuvenation package is having for tourism operators in Central Queensland and North Queensland.”

Resorts on Wilson, Green, Bedarra, Lady Elliot, Orpheus, Hayman and Hamilton islands have all reopened with new visitor infrastructure delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government, with the resorts injecting millions of dollars back into the economy.

Minister Jones also advised on an extra $25 million to deliver new tourism infrastructure.

Attractions open in time for the September school holidays include:

• First ever ecotourism experience in a national park at O’Reilly’s

• New tourism experience at Peter Faust Dam (Lake Proserpine)

Attractions open in time for the Christmas holidays include:

• Australia’s largest superyacht berth at the Southport Yacht Club

• New pontoon at Lady Musgrave island

• Charleville Cosmos Centre

• New education centre at Minjerribah (North Straddie)

• Historical tourism experience at the old Birdsville Courthouse

• Charleville outback experience

• New pontoon at Arlington Reef and construction of a semi-sub vessel to be used at Fitzroy Island

• New light and sound show at the Qantas Museum in Longreach

• New historical rail experience at Cunnamulla

• New pontoon at Lady Musgrave island

Attractions delivered recently include:

• Dinosaur Dreaming Trail in Winton

• Stage 1 of the Museum of Underwater Art in Townsville

• Desert Dreaming Centre in Barcaldone

• New auditorium and marquee at Hamilton Island

• Cobbold Gorge glass-bottomed bridge

• Underwater sculptures in the Whitsundays

• Major upgrades to Orpheus Island

• Ecotourism huts, baths and other infrastructure at Julia Creek

• New Indigenous tourism experience near Barcaldine

• Major upgrades to Hinchinbrook Island resort

• Six day Scenic Rim trail walk

• Major upgrades to camping parks in Barcaldine

• Major upgrades to Wilson Island

• Major upgrades to the Riversleigh Fossil Centre at Mount Isa

• Eco-camping experience at Longreach

• Major upgrades to Green Island

• Major upgrades to the Hill Inlet Lookout at the Whitsundays

• Qantas Super Constellation at Longreach

• Reefworld pontoon at Hardy Reef in the Whitsundays

• Walking trails on Border, Langford and Haslewood Islands

• New pool, water slide and water play facilities at Queens Beach Bowen

• Bowen Visitor Information Centre virtual reality experience showcasing the Whitsundays

Image of Charleville Cosmos Centre courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland