Gooromon Park homestead café and equestrian centre just outside of Hall in New South Wales is the latest tourism operator to benefit from the Australian Government’s $8.3 million TQUAL Grants program.
The program uses targeted investments to assist domestic tourism operators explore new market opportunities, expand their range of services, promote growth and contribute to job creation.
Gooromon Park’s government grant will aid the construction of two country guesthouses to accompany the existing café and horse riding centre. The addition of accommodation facilities will encourage visitors to the homestead and to stay on and explore the region.
Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, today congratulated Gooromon Park on their $100,000 government grant and welcomed the additional business the new guesthouses would generate.
“Gooromon Park provides a valuable tourism experience for horse enthusiasts and our funding will help build on this experience by encouraging day trip visitors to stay overnight and spend more in the region,” Minister Ferguson said
“Canberra and the surrounding region will also benefit from Australian government grants of $40 million towards road infrastructure upgrades, as part of the Nation Building Infrastructure program.
“The government grants will support growth in the local tourism industry by making it easier and safer than ever to take a trip up the Barton Highway to Hall or beyond. “Improving access for potential visitors will help the industry here to increase its contribution to the local economy.”
“The tourism industry has really got behind this campaign and now the Australian Government is providing opportunities to share in its success,” Minister Ferguson said.
“Domestic travel accounts for 75 per cent of the total tourism market. With this in mind we are directing $3 million through Tourism Australia specifically to raising the profile of local attractions and boosting tourism business in Australia.
A full list of TQUAL government grant recipients up to May 2010 are listed below
| Applicant Name | Project Description | Grant Funds Sought |
| Captain Cook Cruises | The project will investigate the feasibility of operating ‘Cruise and Coach’ short break holidays for the domestic and international market. Based in Sydney and operated by Captain Cook Cruises and AAT Kings, the short breaks itineraries would include the Hawkesbury River, Hunter Valley, Newcastle, South Coast and Southern Highlands regions. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to undertake the feasibility study. | 24,000.00 |
| Coonamble Shire Council | A feasibility study will be undertaken to examine the viability of establishing an eco-spa facility on the great artesian basin at Coonamble. The study will identify the most appropriate site, address technical and operational requirements, recommend the best mix of accommodation options and examine the economic benefits of establishing the spa. TQUAL Grants funding will pay for the feasibility study. | 6,000.00 |
| Dillon’s Security Pty Ltd | A feasibility study will be undertaken to investigate the expansion of the Amaze ‘n’ Place at Alstonville, on the NSW far north coast. The expansion is planned to include educational and entertaining hands-on displays, optical examples of mental illusions and weird science displays that will challenge perceptions of reality. It will host school excursions, tour buses and expert speakers. TQUAL Grants funds will be used to undertake research, a feasibility study and to develop a business case for the proposal. | 10,000.00 |
| Marine Discovery Centre Bondi Beach Inc. | The project will examine the market appeal and operational requirements of a range of marine discovery tours. Led by marine biologists, the tours will be operated at Bondi Beach and will have an environmental sustainability focus. The project will also examine the feasibility of packaging the tours with visits to the ‘Underwater Bondi Experience’. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to engage consultants to conduct the research. | 25,000.00 |
| Pet Porpoise Pool Pty Ltd | The project is to undertake a feasibility study to identify opportunities for the Pet Porpoise Pool at Coffs Harbour to establish itself as a world leader in interactive education programs and identify development options to upgrade the facilities. The study will explore the opportunities for the installation of a wave / surf machine, children’s water park, ray and shark feeding, swimming pools and interactive education activities. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute towards the feasibility study. | 25,000.00 |
| Sapphire Coast Tourism Ltd | A heritage strategy will be developed to examine the natural, cultural and historic heritage of the Sapphire Coast region of SE NSW. The Sapphire Coast is part of Australia’s National Landscapes initiative. The potential of the non-national park areas of the region will be explored as well as gaps in visitor information, infrastructure, facilities, services and employment, and a framework developed to deliver these to visitors. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to engage professional consultancy services to develop the strategy. | 25,000.00 |
| The Bradman Foundation | This project will develop a strategic plan for the Bradman Museum, and the new International Cricket Hall of Fame in Bowral, that is due for completion in 2010. The intent of the hall is to have immersive and interactive experiences either in person or on-line. The strategic plan will identify effective ways to increase visitor numbers to the complex and appropriate initiatives and risk assessments to lift its international profile and recognition. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute towards engaging professional services to develop the strategic plan. | 20,000.00 |
| Yass Valley Council | A feasibility study will be undertaken to determine the tourism potential of re-opening the 4.6 kilometre heritage tramline from Yass Junction to Yass Town Station. Consultation will be undertaken with, Australian Rail Track Corporation, Yass Valley Council, State & Federal Governments, Independent Transport Safety Reliability Regulator, NSW Road Traffic Authority and the local community. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to engage a project manager to assist the Yass Valley Development Corporation and Rail Heritage Committee clarify and determine the market appeal, operational requirements and technical viability of re-opening the tramline. | 10,000.00 |
| Eden Marine Centre Ltd | This project will engage consultants to plan for the proposed Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre located in Eden. The proposed centre will offer a ‘hands on’ attraction highlight the region’s cool temperate marine environment and showcase aquaria, offer interactive exhibits and an outdoor activity program. TQUAL grants funding will be used for the master planning stage of the Discovery Centre building, including a development strategy, draft budgets, exhibition themes and concept exhibit-design work. | 40,000.00 |
| Lightning Ridge Opal and Fossil Centre Inc. | This project will develop a high quality investment proposal for The Australian Opal Centre at Lightning Ridge. The Centre will showcase Australia’s national gemstones, opalised fossils from the time of dinosaurs and the cultural heritage of outback opal mining towns. The attraction will offer distinctive tourism experiences and will be a centre for educational and scientific research. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to engage consultants to develop the proposal. | 40,000.00 |
| Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation | This project will undertake the foundation planning for the Gumgumbal Interactive Museum and Keeping Place at Corindi, on the mid-north coast of NSW. The new museum will incorporate a performance space, observatory and a collection of artefacts. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to engage technical consultancies for the planning of the museum, covering requirements such as architectural drawings, building specifications, and quantity surveyors report, soil and environmental reports. | 75,000.00 |
| Australian Inland Botanic Gardens | The project will enable the relocation and refurbishment of the historic and culturally significant Peaka Homestead at the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens near Mildura. Peaka will add to an already impressive collection of heritage buildings and will provide a fully operational catering kitchen and a training room for use by tourists and for educational programs. Visitors will be able to learn how to harvest and cook with harvested products from the on-site heritage food garden. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to the relocation and refurbishment of Peaka. | 100,000.00 |
| Capital Wines | Capital Wines will develop a food and wine tourism experience to enhance the existing award winning tourism facilities of the GRAZING restaurant, in the village of Gundaroo. The project will involve renovations to existing historic buildings, build new infrastructure to establish a regional epicurean centre and build a permanent function room. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to construction costs. | 100,000.00 |
| Gooromon Park Pty Limited | The project will develop two country guesthouses at Gooromon Park in Hall. The accommodation development will add to the existing nature based equine experience and the Homestead Café and is located within the ‘Hills of Hall’ wine region. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to construction costs. | 100,000.00 |
| J.M.R. Pty. Ltd. | The project at Symbio Wildlife Park, 45 minutes south of Sydney at Helensburgh, will construct a facility to house two adult Sumatran tigers. The facility will offer a spacious and interactive exhibit designed to allow close up encounters for visitors and scope for exclusive experiences. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute towards the construction of the tiger display. | 100,000.00 |
| Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust | A comprehensive redevelopment will be undertaken of all major aspects of in-cave infrastructure, particularly the lighting systems within the River Cave at the Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains. The redevelopment will comply with best practice standards, encompassing visitor safety, aesthetic sensitivities and environmental conservation. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute towards the installation of the new lighting systems. | 100,000.00 |
| Temora Aviation Museum Inc | The Unsung Heroes Project will deliver the untold war stories of every day pilots, engineers and ground crew for a permanent exhibit at the world class Aviation Museum in Temora. Stories will be captured on broadcast quality film and digitally archived for future generations. TQUAL Grants funds will be used towards engaging professional services to record the stories and labour, materials and technological equipment for display purposes. | 100,000.00 |
| Clarence Valley Council | The project will provide a series of new and distinctive product options and experiences and will maximise the nature/adventure tourism potential of the Clarence River in the northern NSW. TQUAL Grants funding will be used towards the development of camping and canoe access sites in the upper river, development of a kayak and canoe guide, a guide to cruising and sailing on the Clarence, the development of a riverfront precinct concept plan for Grafton and interpretive sculpture at key locations and a marketing program. | 500,000.00 |
| Pacific Coast Touring Route Inc | This project will assist the development of a strong and vibrant tourism brand for the Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route, which spans the east coast of NSW from Sydney to the QLD border. The tourism industry and four NSW North Coast Regional Tourism Organisations will collaborate on the project, which includes tourist signposting, website development, brand development and communications, innovation and technology development and project management. The project outcomes will be to stimulate additional domestic travellers and deliver more international visitors to the region and encourage length of stay, yield and dispersal. TQUAL Grants funding will be used across the range of activities. | 500,000.00 |
| Bullo River Pty Limited | The project will upgrade and expand the guest accommodation available at Bullo River Station on the Victoria River, 780km west of Darwin and 200km east of Kununurra. Two eco cabins will also be built close to the homestead and adjacent to a billabong. As a result of the project, Bullo will strengthen its position as the quintessential Australian outback cattle station experience. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to the construction costs of the upgrade and expansion of the accommodation. | 100,000.00 |
| Crab Claw Pty Ltd | This project will provide an additional ten elevated cabins and the relocation of the campground to a more spectacular location at the Crab Claw Island Resort, 135km south of Darwin, in Bynoe Harbour on the Cox Peninsular. The additional accommodation will enable the extension of the tourist season and attract a wider domestic and international market to the region. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to the construction costs for the cabins and relocation of the campground. | 100,000.00 |
| Tailor Tours Pty Ltd | The project will see the upgrading and expansion of the facilities available at the Original Outback Bush BBQ in the East MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs. The expansion will allow major events, functions and corporate shows to be held. Undercover areas and verandas, shade and shelter will be added to cater for all weather conditions. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to construction costs. | 100,000.00 |
| Wildlife Management International Pty. Limited | An observation deck with a cantilevered viewing platform with transparent safety panels will be constructed at the Crocodylus Gorge Crocodile Habitat, 7 minutes from the Darwin airport. The platform will provide visitors with a safe environment from which to view crocodiles in a simulated natural, rock, gorge habitat (100 m long) that encompasses a waterfall, multi-level rock outcrops, pools and land platforms and native and tropical vegetation. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to the construction of the deck, covered entrance way and viewing platform. | 100,000.00 |
| Ipswich City Council | A feasibility study will be undertaken into the development of the North Ipswich Railway Workshops. The proposed development will expand the precinct from a heritage museum and operational railway workshop to a comprehensive tourism destination with transport links into the Ipswich CBD. It is planned to develop a new exhibition and event space to interact with the museum buildings and infrastructure, as will a new conference centre and accommodation facilities for business and leisure tourists. TQUAL Grants funding will be used towards the feasibility study. | 25,000.00 |
| Redland City Council | A feasibility study will be undertaken for the development of the Minjerriba Knowledge Centre. This innovative indigenous knowledge centre will be a learning and cultural centre, keeping place, library and hub for indigenous cultural and tourism activities. The feasibility study will develop the centre concept, explore partnership and governance models, advise on economic sustainability and inform program and budget planning. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to the feasibility study. | 25,000.00 |
| Augusteyn Plumbing Service Pty Ltd | This project will see the construction of a GeoPark precinct at the Capricorn Caves, 25 kms north of Rockhampton. The new precinct will incorporate an innovative cave experience, a training facility and visitor services. A geotourism themed tour will add a new dimension to the visitor experiences at Capricorn Caves and complement international marketing projects. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to construction costs. | 100,000.00 |
| Corafee Pty Ltd | This project introduces a three-bedroom cabin range into the Happy Wanderer Village Caravan Park located in Hervey Bay. Three bedroom cabins will be a new concept for the park and a unique product in SE QLD. The project is part of a broader major expansion plan for the park. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to the development of two new three-bedroom cabins. | 100,000.00 |
| Mount Flagstone Station Pty Ltd | The project is the partial refurbishment of the 122 year-old homestead at Mount Flagstone a 3,292 hectare cattle station 45 kms southwest of Townsville, near the township of Woodstock. The refurbished homestead will offer the only farm-stay in the Townsville region. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for construction works and will comprise approximately 40% of the total project cost. | 100,000.00 |
| National Park Pty Ltd | This project will develop a unique, rainforest, dining experience for visitors to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in the Gold Coast hinterland. The installation of decking, lighting and dining facilities at Moonlight Crag will provide up to 50 visitors the opportunity to dine in a unique, rainforest location offering panoramic views. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for the deck construction, lighting, protective screening and landscaping. | 70,000.00 |
| National Trust of Queensland | This project, adjacent to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the NSW/QLD border, will see the development a new regional tourism attraction. A significant heritage building will be restored to house a gallery, cultural heritage and cellar door gateway celebrating art, wine, food and local history all at the one location. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for the restoration and refurbishment of the building. | 100,000.00 |
| Advance Cairns Limited | The project will develop an alternative tourism theme for Tropical North Queensland, based on agri-food experiences, with an action plan to assist existing businesses to adapt, and new enterprises to emerge. The project will provide the framework for a complimentary product and experience cluster, preparing the region for the anticipated impact of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef and dispersing visitors into a broader region. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for research, development of an action plan to implement the food strategy, the production of a regional food brand and a marketing strategy. | 446,010.00 |
| Brisbane Marketing Pty Ltd | Brisbane ‘Ambassadors for Life’ is an innovative program designed to create sustainable economic value by attracting Chinese students, leisure, and convention and incentive visitors to the greater Brisbane region. Chinese students and graduates will become ambassadors for Brisbane in China, with their advocacy and Brisbane’s Sister City relationships harnessed to generate increased visitation and length of stay. The program features new Brisbane product in China for experience seekers and business travellers. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for a range of activities for the program. | 500,000.00 |
| Chorney Enterprises Pty Ltd | This project will undertake preliminary research and planning into the development of a fine dining restaurant in Mannum on the Murray River, one hour from Adelaide. The proposed restaurant is planned to be co-located with the five-star Riverview Rise Retreat accommodation complex, and offer a range of experiences including ‘cook offs’ and celebrity chef events. The TQUAL Grant will assist in relevant research to develop a sound investment proposal and provide informed decisions critical to mitigate risks associated with innovative developments such as this. | 25,000.00 |
| Murraylands Tourism Marketing | A feasibility study will be undertaken to investigate the potential of introducing a GPS interpretation system with a unique focus on river touring as well as land in the Murraylands region of SA. It will provide an innovative way of telling the stories of the Murray River and surrounds. The study will investigate various technology options, themed interpretation and consumer demand for this new cross regional product. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to produce the feasibility study. | 10,000.00 |
| Arbutus Hospitality Group Pty Ltd | This project is to support the development of a facilities architectural masterplan for a $5 million expansion plan at The Louise, a luxury culinary tourism retreat including the Appellation restaurant at Marananga in the Barossa. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to the development of the masterplan. | 50,000.00 |
| Bungaree Pty Ltd | Development plans at Bungaree Station at Hawker in the Clare Valley, includes the conversion of the 160 year old homestead to ten environmentally sustainable five star accommodation suites. Redevelopment will address environmental challenges through efficient material, water and energy utilisation. It will also ensure ongoing interpretation of Australia’s pastoral heritage, through preservation of the buildings, records and equipment as a key element of its tourism appeal. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to develop architectural drawings and expand the concept plans for the development of the business. | 75,000.00 |
| Arran (SA) Pty Ltd | This project, at Ruston Roses in Renmark, will see the expansion of the David Ruston Rose Centre to include a conference and function venue. The project will meet the increasing demand for a function/conference/event facility to cater for up to 150 people and to provide a central repository of interesting, interactive and interpretative information about the rose and its role in Australian history and culture. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to the construction costs. | 100,000.00 |
| Clare Country Club Pty Ltd | This project at the Clare Country Club in the Clare Valley wine region will add ten new three-bedroom apartment style units, providing an additional 30 rooms to the property’s existing, recently refurbished 44 rooms. The additional accommodation is required to attract larger conferences to the region. TQUAL Grants funding will support the construction of the apartments. | 100,000.00 |
| Exchange Property Pty Ltd | The project will redevelop a unique historic building in the heart of Wallaroo, two hours from Adelaide, to offer group accommodation for the Copper Coast region of the Yorke Peninsula. The project will see the restoration and redevelopment of the building to accommodate up to 70 guests. A purpose-built kitchen and amenities block with disabled facilities will also be included. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for the redevelopment costs. | 100,000.00 |
| Gemtree Vineyards Pty Ltd | The project involves the development of a self-guided walking eco trail through an artificial wetland located on the Gemtree Vineyard at McLaren Flat. A leisurely stroll, while learning about the features of the unique wetland and experiencing a diversity of fauna and flora, will take approximately 1hour return. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to establish the walking trail, interpretive marker points, sheltered picnic area, interpretive wetland sign and area map. | 51,360.00 |
| J and JP Bloemendal Pty Ltd | The project will establish a luxury tourist lodge at Peeralilla Springs on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The lodge will consist of 3 self-contained guest apartments, as well as a communal guest lounge. The lodge will include environmentally friendly concepts and be sited in a rural setting accessible to a range of nature-based tourism activities. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for site preparation, construction costs, fit out and landscaping. | 100,000.00 |
| Pike River Developments Pty Ltd | This project is part of a larger development at the Pike River Woolshed at Lyrup, in the heart of the Riverland district to construct a conference centre and three luxury villas. The 5 star villas will have a 5 star green energy rating. The new conference facility will provide an alternative to in-town options, being set on 15 acres of river front land, and will cater to small-scale business conferences with the added benefit of on-site accommodation. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to build and fit out three villas. | 100,000.00 |
| Flinders Council | A nature based investment feasibility study will be undertaken to examine the market demand, business opportunities and necessary enabling environment to grow nature based tourism products and services on Flinders Island. The study will provide information and confidence to the council and tourism operators to undertake steps to foster growth. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to engage suitably qualified consultants to undertake the project. | 10,000.00 |
| Hobart City Council | The project involves the preparation of a feasibility study determine possible management models of a new Maritime Heritage Centre and precinct at the Battery Point Slipyards site in Hobart. The ultimate outcome of the project will be construction of a world-class facility where visitors can experience a high quality, interactive and educational destination that preserves the cultural and heritage assets of Tasmania’s maritime history. Key project activities involve stakeholder consultation and market assessment; site design; financial modelling; a review of similar sites and examination of preferred management models. | 22,920.00 |
| Absolutely Waterfront Pty Ltd | This project aims to keep alive the “shack” culture and provide a unique accommodation experience on a pristine beachfront property on Flinders Island. The shacks will provide a very stylish but basic experience with no electricity, telephones, internet connections or mains water. Guests will be able to “drop out” of modern life and reconnect with their environment, their families and friends. TQUAL Grants funding will be used towards the construction of two shacks using recycled timbers. | 100,000.00 |
| LNT Pty Ltd | This project will enable the Bruny Island Cheese Company to expand to meet growing demand and to accommodate an improved range of innovative products and services. A new under cover seating area, a larger tasting and sales area, and an adjacent café will be added. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to the expansion costs. | 54,110.00 |
| Cradle Coast Authority | The project will develop a network of new and engaging tourism experiences along the West Coast of Tasmania, which will connect visitors to the region’s rich mining heritage. Innovative visual and audio presentations will depict the region’s mining heritage, highlighting the characters and the harsh environment. These will be developed and installed for self-navigation by visitors in a number of venues and key locations. The underlying theme will be the people, including the miners and their families, their lives and the struggles they experienced during the last 120 years on the West Coast. TQUAL Grant funding will contribute towards production costs of the visual and audio presentations. | 432,250.00 |
| Tamar Valley Wine Route Inc | This project will develop a strong brand for the Tamar Valley Wine Route to better market the experience and attract more visitors to the Tamar Valley. The project incorporates multiple elements, including brand development and visual identity for the wine route. The brand will be applied to brochures, a website and other media, which will be developed as part of the project. TQUAL grants funding will be used to engage professional agencies to develop artwork, image library, brochure, advertising and website design and to produce these elements. | 100,000.00 |
| Museum of Chinese Australian History Inc | The Museum of Chinese Australian History in Melbourne plans to develop a product to take visitors from the museum and on a tour and heritage walk of Chinatown, combined with a Chinese meal at which time the heritage and culture of Chinese Australians will be explored and discovered. Melbourne’s Chinatown is the oldest surviving area of continuous Chinese settlement in the western world and today has become one of Melbourne’s most celebrated food streets. TQUAL Grants funding will allow the engagement of a consultant to undertake research, testing and consultation to enable a business case to be developed. | 9,550.00 |
| Moorabool Shire Council | The project is to scope and plan the development of ‘The Avenue’, a tourism centre to be located in Bacchus Marsh. The centre will include an interpretive centre promoting key heritage and tourism products with a particular focus on the existing Avenue of Honour, early settlement, agriculture and food and wine offering in the region. A business enterprise centre will offer a site for tourism-focused industry development and production opportunities; plans also include developing a working cider production facility. TQUAL grants funding will be used for project initiation and planning to ensure the successful implementation of The Avenue. | 48,600.00 |
| Bob Nixon & Associates Pty Ltd | Three prefabricated eco-cottages will be purchased and erected at Gisborne Peak Winery in Gisborne, in the Daylesford & Macedon Ranges Region northwest of Melbourne. The cottages will overlook the vines on the property and will be energy self-sufficient and have minimal environmental impact. The accommodation will supplement and add to the existing cellar door facility. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for the purchase and erection of the cottages. | 100,000.00 |
| Casa Luna Pty Ltd | Casa Luna Gourmet Accommodation, in Victoria’s King Valley, will expand from two suites to four, with a separate wing built to accommodate the new suites and guest lounge. An outdoor entertainment area and dining piazza will be built to accommodate a wood-fired oven and wood-fired Italian style grill. TQUAL Grants funding will assist with construction costs of the expansion. | 91,000.00 |
| M Bradshaw & S Bradshaw Pty Ltd | A microbrewery and 50 seat café will be developed at Forrest, the northern gateway to the Great Otways National Park. The new facility will provide visitors with a place to stop take a break, rest and relax in a unique natural environment. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for the new building works. | 100,000.00 |
| Phillip Island Nature Parks | This project will introduce four new audio tours at the world famous Penguin Parade, the Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and Australia’s newest marine attraction, the Nobbies Centre. The new MP3 audio tour systems have been designed to guide visitors through unique experiences with educational and informative commentary in nine languages. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for translation services, educational scripts and signage. | 100,000.00 |
| The Butter Factory Myrtleford Pty Ltd | The project will re-introduce larger scale production of hand made cultured butter to the historic butter factory in Myrtleford. It will create a new tourism attraction for visitors to view butter production, participate in hands on classes, and taste the product. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to structural building works for a butter production viewing area and the purchase of butter production machinery. | 53,500.00 |
| Alpine Shire | The Great Alpine “Time Machine” is an innovative approach to delivering information to tourists to the Victorian Alps via a technology portal. The “Time Machine” is unique interactive planning tool that will provide visitors with a customised itinerary, a map and tour commentary, based on the time they have available and their interests. Three themed “Time Machines” will be installed at Bright, Myrtleford and Mount Beauty. The trip planning-tool will also be available on-line. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for the “Time Machine” implementation activities, including the itinerary builder, photography, audio, the themed pods, marketing and promotion. | 433,000.00 |
| Goldfields Tourism Incorporated | The Goldfields Track will deliver a unique, inter-regional, shared bushwalking and mountain bike experience in the central Victoria. The 190km track links the major regional cities of Ballarat and Bendigo via a number of villages along the way. The project involves the collaboration of private sector operators, local tourism organizations and local governments. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for track upgrades, new sections of track, new bridges, and signage, mapping and marketing activities. | 500,000.00 |
| Greater Shepparton City Council | The project will establish the Greater Shepparton Regional Tourism Board to oversee the holistic tourism development and advocacy for the Greater Shepparton, Murrindindi, Strathbogie and Mitchell Shire Council regions. The Board focus will be on regional marketing, industry development, skills development, mentoring, and product development to grow the economic return from tourism within the region. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to develop a tourism strategy, equine tourism development, website development, and a holiday planner. | 375,000.00 |
| City of Geraldton-Greenough | A feasibility study will be undertaken to investigate potential tourism activities at the Walkaway Wind Farm, located 30km SE of Geraldton. The wind-farm contains 54 wind turbines with another 195 to be constructed in the near future. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to the production of the feasibility study. | 14,300.00 |
| Gravity Discovery Centre Foundation Inc | This project will enable professional planning for a building expansion and theatre upgrade at the Gingin Observatory, located at the Gravity Discovery Centre one hour north of Perth. Plans include an extension to the observatory to house a reception, exhibition space and shop, a state-of-the-art theatre upgrade allowing for innovative 3D stereoscopic astronomy presentations, and a radio astronomy dish and control room for a new public outreach program. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for the concept design and design development. | 62,500.00 |
| Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association Inc | The project will provide the Jewel Cave at Deepdene in the SW region of WA with a new cave entrance and lighting system to replace the 50 year old outdated system. Jewel Cave is WA’s largest show cave and is home to one of the longest straw stalactites found in any tourist cave in the world. TQUAL Grants funding will assist with the new cave entrance and lighting system. | 100,000.00 |
| Goldbay Enterprises Pty Ltd | The project will provide four-star cabin accommodation at Fontys Pool & Caravan Park at Manjimup in the Great Southern Forest Region. The accommodation will overlook the historical Fontys Pool on Seven Day Road that has been a significant local landmark since 1925. TQUAL Grants funding will contribute to the purchase and installation of the cabins. | 100,000.00 |
| Lape Pty Ltd | The project is for the development and upgrading of the Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef camp located in the Cape Range National Park. Activities include the construction of an additional four guest tents, an upgrade of staff accommodation to allow for additional guests, construction of environmentally friendly boardwalks linking guest areas with the tents and beach, and an upgrade of solar equipment. The project aims to minimise human impact on the dune zone of this section of the coastline. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for supply and construction of the tents, and boardwalks. | 100,000.00 |
| Nelson’s Provenance Pty Ltd | A new tourism experience, Foragers Field Kitchen & Cooking School, will be established near Pemberton in the southern forests region of WA. The facility will offer an educational tourism experience through cooking school activities, field trips to local farms & vineyards and events that promote regional produce and healthy eating. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to renovate, extend and fitout an existing building to house a commercial kitchen and dining room. | 100,000.00 |
| Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association Inc | The Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association will introduce CowParade, an internationally recognised free public art exhibition utilising 3D life-size cow canvases, to showcase the Margaret River region through WA artists. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to market and promote the event to the domestic and international tourism markets. | 112,150.00 |
| Advocacy Services Australia Limited | The project will deliver a national tourism planning code that will assist sectors requiring development approvals. The code will be voluntary and will provide a standard frame of reference for people to use when developing submissions for planning approvals and for assessing them. Application of the code would enable smoother processing of development applications for tourism projects whether they are for accommodation or attractions. TQUAL Grants funding will enable the code to be developed by a planning consultant and through stakeholder workshops. The code will be delivered to industry and government through workshops around Australia, direct mail out and relevant websites. | 136,000.00 |
| Advocacy Services Australia Limited | This project will deliver a system for tracking performance data of business events in key venues in Australia. As business events are a driver of additional tourism activity, the tracking system will be used to determine the most effective way to enhance an existing software tool to give the sector a better understanding of supply and demand for events. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for the software enhancement, to hold workshops with business event operators in each capital city and to print a user manual to instruct operators how to use the program. | 91,000.00 |
| The National Tourism Allianace Incorporated | The project will develop an internet site (a careers portal) called Discover Tourism. It will provide a “one-stop-shop” for information about working in the tourism sector, including careers and training, and marketing the tourism sector as a viable career option. The project is an innovative response to what has been identified as a major problem within the tourism industry – recruiting and retaining staff. TQUAL Grants funding will be used for website development, CD ROM development, production and marketing and distribution costs. | 133,380.00 |
| Winemakers’ Federation of Australia Inc | The project will consist of four main activities. It will revise and update the National Wine Tourism Strategy to respond to shifts in consumer expectations and behaviour. It will create templates for themed wine tourism experiences so that operators can customise and deliver additional tourism activities, the incorporation of food produce matched to wine varieties and styles or tutored tastings highlighting regional characteristics. Wine tourism business support materials will also be developed and a national workshop program will be delivered to inform and skill the industry on the new programs. TQUAL Grants funding will be used to undertake the activities. | 226,500.00 |
| 69 projects | 8,183,130.00 |