02 October 2025
LOCAL OPERATORS SECURE FUNDING BOOST WITH NATURE-BASED TOURISM GRANTS
In a major step for sustainable tourism, the City of Gold Coast has named 13 local operators as recipients of its Nature-Based Tourism grants program.
Launched last May in partnership with Experience Gold Coast, the program was developed in response to growing consumer demand. In just 2 months, it attracted 74 high-quality applications, highlighting strong interest in expanding nature-based experiences across the region.
Acting Mayor Mark Hammel said, “Nature-based tourism is an emerging trend, and the Gold Coast has a unique opportunity to diversify our visitor economy and strengthen our position as a leader in sustainable tourism.”
The selected projects focus on immersive, low-impact experiences that connect people to the Gold Coast’s natural and cultural assets—ranging from wellness retreats and bushtucker tours to mountain biking, wildlife encounters, eco-certification and citizen science.
More than $550,000 in funding has been awarded across the 13 successful applicants to leverage project budgets of $1.19 million. Together, these projects are expected to generate nearly $4.3 million in direct economic impact and create 32 new jobs, with broader benefits across the region.
• The Tour Collective – Humpback Whale and Ocean Discovery Learning Hub
• Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat & Spa – Nature-Based Wellness Immersions
• The Boomerang Farm – Boomerang Farm Bike Park Upgrade (Stage 1)
• Harbour Town Centre Management – First Nations Bush Tucker and Wildlife Experience
• Treetop Challenge – Educational Nature-Based Tourism Experience
• Ediblescapes – Community Edible Forest Garden & Biocultural Ecotourism Experience
• Paradise Tours – Springbrook Day Tour Enhancement and Gold Coast Nature Day Tour Launch
• Reveling (Kiff & Culture) – Framed by Nature: A Gold Coast Photographic Safari Project
• Wild & Co – Adventure Race Event Equipment
• Historic Rivermill - Commercial Kitchen
• Southern Cross Tours – Gold Coast Day Tour Launch and Kangaroos and Mountain Views Tour Enhancements
• Go Ballooning – Back to the Skies: Hot Air Ballooning After Cyclone Alfred
• Get Wet Surf School – ECO Certification
Stay connected for the upcoming announcement of the Opportunity Response Program (ORP) applications, scheduled for release in November.
SECURITY ALERT – SUSPICIOUS EMAIL
We want to alert all Experience Gold Coast partners to a scam email currently in circulation. Please be wary of emails that match the following description:
• From: A number of different names none of which have a @experiencegoldcoast.com email address
• Subject: Experience Gold Coast
• Offers to sell a “Distribution/Member List” of EGC contacts
This email is not from Experience Gold Coast and is not affiliated with us. It is an attempt to sell scraped, publicly available data via an excel document and may pose a security risk.
Please:
• Do not click links or open attachments
• Do not reply or purchase any lists
• Simply delete the email and report it as spam/junk in your email system.
Experience Gold Coast does not sell partner lists. All official communication will come from an @experiencegoldcoast.com email address. If you’re unsure about an email, contact the Industry Partnerships team at industrypartnerships@experiencegoldcoast.com.
HAVE YOUR SAY IN QUEENSLAND’S BIGGEST TOURISM CELEBRATION
The RACQ People’s Choice Awards are now open, giving you the chance to decide who takes home the honours at the 40th Queensland Tourism Awards.
Now’s your chance to show your favourite Gold Coast accommodation provider and tourism experience some love by casting your vote.
Accommodation Finalists:
• BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park and Motel
• Broadwater Tourist Park
• Burleigh Beach Tourist Park
• Holiday Holiday
• On Eagle Wings Mountain Retreat & Spa
• Pat's Farm
• Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park
• Tamborine Mountain Glades
Experiences and Services Finalists:
• 2025 Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM
• ASICS Gold Coast Marathon
• Blues on Broadbeach 2025
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
• GC Aqua Park
• GC Wake Park
• Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
• Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre
• O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards
• SkyPoint
• TreeTop Challenge
Voting closes 9 October so don’t miss your chance to show your support for Gold Coast operators doing great things for our region’s thriving visitor economy.
SAVE THE DATE: EGC INDUSTRY YEAR END CELEBRATION!
With the end of year quickly approaching, we invite you to save the date for the EGC Year End Celebration!
This year, we’ll be celebrating at SkyPoint Observation Deck on Thursday, 27th November from 5:30pm. More information coming soon!
INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES
REGISTER NOW: TOURISM AUSTRALIA INDUSTRY BRIEFING
Tourism Australia’s 2025 Industry Briefing will take place on Tuesday, 21 October at The Langham, Gold Coast.
The briefing will include updates on current trends and market insights as well as the latest details on Tourism Australia’s marketing activity.
Some of Tourism Australia’s Regional General Managers will join the briefings to provide more specific insights into their markets.
T20 INDIAN TRADE NETWORKING DINNER - EGC PARTNER OPPORTUNITY
Experience Gold Coast, Tourism & Events Queensland and QANTAS are delighted to be hosting an Indian trade famil this November, coinciding with the highly anticipated T20 Australia vs India match on the Gold Coast.
As part of this program, Experience Gold Coast partners are invited to join EGC, TEQ, QANTAS and our valued Indian trade delegation for an exclusive networking dinner at Miami Marketta on Wednesday 5th November 2025, from 6.00pm-8.00pm.
This is a unique opportunity to connect directly with influential Indian trade partners while they're here on the Gold Coast. As places are strictly limited, we kindly ask that only Gold Coast partners actively engaged in the Indian market register, with attendance limited to one guest per organisation.
To express your interest, please contact Craig Undery, EGC International Marketing Specialist, at craig.undery@experiencegoldcoast.com by COB Thursday 9th October.
TOURISM ICONS INVESTMENT FUND: ROUND 1
The Queensland Government has a bold vision to boost product development, including supporting the rollout of iconic new tourism attractions. The Tourism Icons Investment Fund (TIIF) is an $80 million program designed to help create world-class tourism experiences that inspire visitors and deliver lasting benefits to the community.
Funding of up to $5 million (ex GST) is available under Round 1 of the TIIF to eligible applicants and projects.
Available funding is on a 1:1 co-contribution basis with applicants to contribute at least 50% of total eligible project costs (ex GST). For example, the awarding of a minimum grant of $1 million (ex GST) would deliver an infrastructure/experience project of at least $2 million (ex GST) in eligible project costs.
Expressions of interest are currently open and will close on 8 October 2025.
DON’T MISS THE FIRST TEQ CONNECT WEBINAR – BEST OF QUEENSLAND EXPERIENCES PROGRAM (BOQEP)
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) is launching TEQ Connect, a new webinar series designed to keep tourism operators informed, inspired, and future-ready.
Join us for the first session:
• Date: Thursday, 30 October 2025
• Time: 10:30am – 11:15am AEST
• Where: Microsoft Teams (Virtual Event)
This session is ideal for operators familiar with the Best of Queensland Experiences Program (BOQEP) who want to:
• Understand updated criteria ahead of the 2026 assessment cut-off
• Learn about new recognition levels and how to move up
• Ensure their ATDW listing is ready
• Maximise the impact of customer reviews and the ReviewPro GRI
Secure your spot today so you’re ready for the 2026 assessment!
TOURISM AUSTRALIA’S MARKETPLACE NORTH AMERICA
Across the three-day program, Experience Gold Coast engaged with leading travel agencies and tour operators from the US and Canada – strengthening trade relationships, showcasing the Gold Coast’s diverse experiences, and ensuring our destination remains top of mind in the North American market.
AUSSIES WINNING DEALS - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
With Aussies returning to the Gold Coast in 2026, Surf Life Saving Australia is putting forward an expression of interest for local businesses interested in providing an offer for the expected 7,000 competitors and their friends and family staying on the Gold Coast between 21-29 March next year!
Your business and promotional offer will be shared as they plan their trip and accommodation, and during the event, when their families are looking for places to visit, eat, and drink.
If you are keen to join us for the 2026 Australian Life Saving Championships. Please complete the form via the link below.
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR TOURISM WEEK 2025
Tourism Week 2025 will be held from 12-14 November at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. It’s the must-do industry event of the year, combining tourism’s premier annual events – the Destination IQ and DestinationQ Forums, and the Queensland Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony.
Come along for a week packed with insights on tourism trends, strategies for growth, networking and celebrations of combined successes.
TEQ’S INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP MARKETING CALENDAR RELEASED
TEQ anticipates the delivery of more than 140 international campaigns over the coming year across key international markets including the UK, Europe, the Americas, Southeast Asia, India, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea.
The International Partnership Marketing Calendar, developed by TEQ’s international teams, outlines the planned trade, aviation, and content partnership activities designed to drive strong international visitation and increase awareness of Queensland as a premier holiday destination.
eLEARNING HUB NOW AVAILABLE FOR AUSTRALIAN TOURISM INDUSTRY
Australian Trade and Tourism Minister, Senator the Hon Don Farrell recently launched the Quality Tourism eLearning Hub, a new training hub created for Australia’s tourism industry.
Developed with eLearning specialists, etrainu, the eLearning Hub is designed to support tourism operators and their staff to build and improve skills, enhance professionalism and develop stronger business capability.
The eLearning Hub forms part of ATIC’s Quality Tourism Framework (QTF), which offers industry operators a suite of online training and accreditation programs designed to build capability and quality across the industry.
Find out more and access the Quality Tourism eLearning Hub at: Quality Tourism Framework - Quality Tourism Australia.
QTIC’S DIGITAL ADAPTION PROGRAM IS BACK!
The Tourism Business Digital Adaption Program unlocks powerful tools to help your business thrive in today’s digital world. You can get up to $2,500 in rebates, plus free support to improve your digital capabilities.
Whether it’s improving your website, simplifying online bookings, upgrading payment systems, or boosting your social media management, this program is your fast track to delivering standout visitor experiences and reaching more customers.
Learn more about the program and apply today.
TOURISM AUSTRALIA ARTWORK OPPORTUNITY
Tourism Australia is seeking an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist to create an artwork that will be integrated into their global marketing campaigns.
The opportunity includes:
• Meaningful compensation for your expertise
• Platform reaching millions internationally
• Career development and professional support
Whether you're an emerging artist finding your voice or an experienced creator, we encourage you to consider this opportunity.
Expression of Interest now open and will close on 7 October 2025.
PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
SEA WORLD SPOOKY NIGHTS
Grab your broomsticks and get ready for an evening of spooktacular family-fun at Sea World Spooky Nights this October. Witness the Sea World Boo Crew's Monster Mayhem Lightshow, adventure through seven spooky precincts with a line-up of live entertainment, plus enjoy rides and exhibits by night.
Get one free entry with a Village Roadshow Locals One Pass!
QUICK SNIPPETS
- Applications are now open for a new $10 million round of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant. Eligible producers can apply until 31 October for grants of up to $100,000.
- AI trailblazer or just curious? Griffith University invites you to take part in a survey on the current and future impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on Australian tourism. There is a chance to win a $500 voucher just for sharing your insights! Click here to take part.
- Tourism Australia has released its Hot List for September 2025.
VIEW THE 18 SEP 2025 VISITOR ECONOMY UPDATE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.