Nature-based Tourism Co-Investment Fund

The $5 million Nature-Based Tourism Co-Investment Fund is part of the Marshall Liberal Government's "Parks 2025" strategy and will provide grants to potential investors to partner with the State Government to deliver sustainable, quality tourism experiences in South Australia. 

Applicants can seek grants from $20,000 to $1 million and are expected to contribute at least half of the total financial costs of their project.

The fund is now open and will be available until June 2022 (or until the fund is exhausted). 

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the COVID-19-induced pause in interstate and international travel is an ideal opportunity for planning new nature-based tourism experiences in South Australia. 

"The Marshall Liberal Government wants to activate sustainable tourism partnerships which will support local jobs, benefit tourists as well as the South Australian community and have positive conservation outcomes. 

"It's vital now, more than ever, that we actively explore new partnerships to expand our range of nature-based tourism offerings to help position South Australia as a world-class eco-tourism destination, especially as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and a summer of devastating bushfires," Minister Speirs said.

"We will work closely with the tourism industry, conservation sector and our Friends of Parks groups to ensure any potential nature-based tourism experiences improve conservation outcomes as well as boost the economy and create jobs."

The Nature-Based Tourism Co-investment Fund will prioritise projects that support: 

• tourism offerings related to Parks 2025 priorities
• stand-out walking journeys
• wildlife experiences (including immersive marine wildlife experiences)
• Aboriginal and cultural tourism
• Activating heritage in national parks

For further information and application forms visit www.parks.sa.gov.au/coinvest