Darling Downs ecotourism dream for Destination 2045
- Darling Downs set to benefit from 20-year tourism plan Destination 2045.
- National parks throughout the Darling Downs set for facelifts to improve accessibility.
- Destination 2045 sets the stage for Queensland to become a global leader in ecotourism, a hub for mega events, and a well-connected international destination.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for the Darling Downs in the newly unveiled 20-year tourism plan Destination 2045: Queensland's tourism future.
Destination 2045 is a visionary roadmap to supercharge the State's tourism industry into a new era of growth, sustainability and global leadership.
From Queen Mary Falls to the Girraween National Park, Darling Downs is a natural gem ready to be crowned an ecotourism destination in Queensland.
Destination 2045 is set to deliver the following tourism projects in the Darling Downs:
- Ecotourism: Girraween National Park: A new visitor hub, upgraded facilities.
- Queensland is home of events: half of events calendar growth will be in regional Queensland.
- Ecotourism: Bunya Mountains National Park: $6.46 million to upgrade Bunya Mountains National Park with new facilities, accessible amenities, and a boardwalk, supporting growing ecotourism demand.
- Ecotourism: Main Range National Park Queen Mary Falls: Redesigned day use area to improve accessibility, visitor flow, and infrastructure while minimising environmental impacts.
- Growing agritourism: more agritourism experiences like farm stays and paddock-to-plate offerings, helping farmers improve profitability.
- Boosting drive tourism: making Queensland famous for multi-stop road trips and journeys, getting more people traveling to the Darling Downs.
- Improved connectivity: new Connecting Queensland fund supporting better intrastate connections
Destination 2045 aims to more than double the value of visitor expenditure to Queensland's economy to $84 billion in two decades, while employing 25 per cent more Queenslanders directly.
The plan overturns a decade of failure by Labor on tourism and commits to reverse funding cuts planned under the former Government that would have reduced programs and services.
The plan builds on tourism's critical role in Queensland's economy, which currently supports more than 270,000 jobs and generates $115m a day in visitor expenditure. About nine out of 10 tourism operations are small businesses.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said Destination 2045 sets a new benchmark for Queensland's tourism industry.
"Darling Downs is home to the perfect tranquil and relaxing vibe for visitors who want to enjoy our natural assets sustainably and respectfully," Minister Powell said.
"Our national park upgrades will ensure that these unique natural landscapes are accessible to all who wish to immerse themselves in nature – from Girraween National Park to Queen Mary Falls."
Treasurer and Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said the Darling Downs communities would benefit from investments in its tourism destinations.
"The natural heritage of the Darling Downs is one of the things that draws visitors to our picturesque region and this investment in infrastructure at some of our most popular ecotourism sites will enhance that experience," Treasurer Janetzki said.
"Tourism is a major driver of our state's economy and growing and improving the opportunities for visitors in places like the Bunya Mountains enables that economic benefit to be shared across the state."
