South Australian nature tourism businesses given financial boost

Research & Discovery Coastal Tours Kangaroo Island is among the recipients of South Australian Tourism Commission’s second round of Experience Nature Tourism Fund grants which is supporting 15 products and experiences across the State.

Blending citizen science and nature exploration, Research & Discovery Coastal Tours Kangaroo Island (RAD KI) offers personalised land and sea based eco-tours to engage and educate visitors as they get up close and personal with the region’s rich wildlife. The grant provided under the SATC’s $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund will enable RAD KI to introduce a two-day eco-tour during which visitors collect and analyse data on vulnerable and endangered species.

Operators offering camel treks in the outback surrounding Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, walking tours in national parks across the Limestone Coast and an Aboriginal cultural tour in Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park are also among the funding recipients.

Operators receiving grants are spread across regional South Australia, including the Adelaide Hills, Eyre Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula, Flinders Ranges & Outback, Kangaroo Island, Limestone Coast, Murray River Lakes & Coorong, and Yorke Peninsula. Project types range from new accommodation and equipment to vehicle purchases and marketing.

Roanna Horbelt, founder and eco tour guide Research and Discovery Coastal Tours Kangaroo Island (RAD KI) shared “RAD KI blends adventure, authenticity, and volunteer research tourism into personalised eco-tours on land and on the water.

“Our unique approach integrates citizen science into nature exploration, allowing visitors to actively engage in conservation efforts through hands-on data collection in ecologically sensitive areas, as they actively connect to the environment and country.

“This grant is invaluable in helping us to upgrade equipment to gather the robust data needed for more informed decision-making, as well as support a stronger online marketing presence.

“As South Australia's tourism landscape evolves, RAD KI aspires to stand out, becoming a compelling choice for visitors seeking an immersive experience that deepens their connection with Kangaroo Island's natural wonders.”

Dallas Coull, owner See Adelaide and Beyond added “Tourism has been a very tough industry to be in over the past few years.

“Post Covid it is so important to promote quality product that showcases South Australia’s world class regions. These grants are going to enable some amazing tourism operators to put some outstanding new product into the market.

“Without this grant we simply wouldn’t be able to get this vehicle to put this extra capacity into regional South Australia.

“It’s a very exciting time to be in the tourism industry.

Designed to showcase the state’s natural landscapes and help attract domestic and international visitors, the fund already created new world-class tourism products and experiences last year.

Round one of the ENTF saw a total of $485,800 allocated to 18 projects, with a project value of $824,000. The projects included accommodation refurbishments, purchases of new vehicles, and marketing including content creation.

The second round of funding brings the total allocated through the Experience Nature Tourism Fund to date to nearly $1 million in grants and a combined project value of almost $1.6 million.

The more than $464,000 in grants announced today will unlock over $764,000 in combined project value, supporting operators to attract more domestic and international visitors while showcasing the state’s natural landscapes.

The funding program runs over four financial years, with up to $500,000 available in each year.

Applications for round three funding will open early in the new financial year.

The second round of successful projects include:

More information on Research and Discovery Coastal Tours Kangaroo Island 

More information on See Adelaide and Beyond