A citizen-science experience, astronomy tour, e-biking, twilight kayaking, and enhanced wildlife encounters are some of the 17 projects supported by the final round of the $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund.
Round 4 of the Fund saw $625,900 in grants unlock over $985,000 in combined project value, supporting tourism operators to attract more domestic and international visitors while showcasing the State's natural landscapes.
Projects range from new accommodation and equipment to vehicle purchases, tour diversification, and marketing.
Coastal destinations in regions including Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula, Adelaide and the Coorong will see projects celebrate their diverse marine life, such as a Reef Resilience Project, Dolphin and Coastal Discovery Experience, and a tour of the Coorong's unique ecosystem.
Research and Discovery Coastal Tours Kangaroo Island (RAD KI) will deliver a project improving boat capabilities to support the delivery of a citizen-science experience, Reef Resilience Project, which monitors the health of South Australia's Great Southern Reef and supports ecological recovery from the algal bloom event.
Further cementing the Flinders Ranges & Outback's position as one of the best places to travel in 2026 - as recently announced by Lonely Planet - a permanent Yarning Circle at Discovery Resorts - Wilpena Pound and new visitor facilities at Catninga Hut will add to the region's nature-based tourism offerings.
The now fully allocated $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund has supported a total of 63 projects worth almost $3.5 million in combined project value.
Successful projects in Round 4 include: The Tailor Touring Co., Research and Discovery Coastal Tours Kangaroo Island, Neptunes / Neptunes Surf Coaching, Discovery Resorts - Wilpena Pound, Ancient Land Tours, Skytrek Willow Springs Station, The Koala Sanctuary, Kangaroo Island Trails, Radelaide Tours, Griffens Marina Blanchetown, Tracx, Catninga Hut, Skillogalee Estate, Coffin Bay Tourist Association, Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours, Escapegoat Adventures and SA eBikes.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said the Experience Nature Tourism Fund has achieved its goal to enhance tourism projects across South Australia that showcase our landscapes while educating visitors on our natural and cultural assets.
"We know travellers increasingly seek deeper connections to nature, and South Australia has a unique opportunity to elevate its reputation as a leading destination for immersive, enriching natural experiences," Minister Bettison said.
"Levelling up these nature tourism projects and creating new ways to experience our National Parks will give visitors a reason to stay longer and discover more of South Australia."
Kirsty Siekmann, Chief Operations Officer at The Tailor said receiving support through the Experience Nature Tourism Fund has been instrumental in bringing a new Coorong cultural and nature-based tour to life.
"The grant is directly assisting with the purchase of a purpose-built LandCruiser, allowing us to access remote and ecologically rich areas of the Coorong in comfort and safety," Ms Siekmann said.
"This new experience not only highlights one of South Australia's lesser-known, environmentally significant landscapes, but does so in respectful collaboration with the Ngarrindjeri people, whose connection to this land spans tens of thousands of years. It's a deeply personal and powerful journey for our guests, and we're incredibly proud to share it.
"In addition to the vehicle investment, we are committed to significant domestic and international marketing of this product through The Tailor's extensive network of ultra-high-net-worth agents and travellers. It's an opportunity to shine a global spotlight on the Coorong and Ngarrindjeri Culture, while supporting sustainable regional tourism.
"We're grateful to the South Australian Tourism Commission and Minister Bettison for supporting tourism initiatives that promote genuine cultural exchange and regional discovery. This grant empowers businesses like ours to invest in new, immersive experiences that reflect South Australia's rich natural and cultural identity."
Grant recipients from Round 4:
| Region | Operator | Grant | Total Project Value |
| Fleurieu Peninsula, Murray River Lakes and Coorong | The Tailor Touring Co: A new private small group tour "The Coorong Connection: A Cultural and Natural Encounter". Guests will experience the Coorong's unique ecosystem and a Ngarrindjeri cultural experience, via a new Landcruiser 300 VX. |
$50,000 | $101,025 |
Kangaroo Island |
Research and Discovery Coastal Tours Kangaroo Island: Improvement of boat capabilities to supporting the delivery of a citizen-science experience, "Reef Resilience Project", which monitors the health of South Australia's Great Southern Reef and supports ecological recovery from the algal bloom event. |
$50,000 |
$66,321 |
Yorke Peninsula |
Neptunes / Neptunes Surf Coaching: Two new land-based tourism experiences: "The Dolphin and Coastal Discovery Experience" half-day guided tour through Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, and the "Walk the Yorke Shuttle" for hikers with optional equipment hire. |
$44,400 |
$55,967 |
Flinders Ranges and Outback |
Discovery Resorts - Wilpena Pound: The design and construction of a permanent Yarning Circle to host a new Adnyamathanha cultural bush tucker experience. |
$39,700 |
$49,679 |
Eyre Peninsula |
Ancient Land Tours: A new trailer to increase operational capacity, enabling tours to reach remote areas of Far West Eyre Peninsula. Marketing support to promote new itineraries. |
$27,200 |
$34,021 |
Flinders Ranges and Outback |
Skytrek Willow Springs Station: New guided tours through Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park, Nilpena Ediacara National Park and Willow Springs Station via the procurement of a new Toyota HiAce 300 Series. |
$50,000 |
$161,066 |
Kangaroo Island |
The Koala Sanctuary: The design and delivery of innovative koala-focused experiences that enhances the experience at the Sanctuary and activates Flinders Chase National Park. |
$39,300 |
$49,200 |
Kangaroo Island |
Kangaroo Island Trails: A new 5-day guided eco tour of Kangaroo Island (ex Adelaide), accessing Baudin Conservation Park, Flinders Chase, and Kelly Hill, via the procurement of a new 2019 Toyota Commuter GL 12 seater bus. |
$41,300 |
$51,672 |
Adelaide, |
Radelaide Tours: New family-friendly and astronomy tours visiting National Parks in the evening via the purchase of a 13-seater van. |
$50,000 |
$81,457 |
Riverland |
Griffens Marina Blanchetown: The development of small-group guided cruises and self-guided kayaking tours through Roonka and Morgan Conservation Parks, via the upgrade of a 6-bedroom houseboat and purchase of 2x kayaks and associated equipment. |
$14,700 |
$18,399 |
Limestone Coast |
Tracx: The purchase of e-bikes to attract new visitors on an existing mountain bike tour itinerary through Little Dip Conservation Park. |
$35,300 |
$44,182 |
Flinders Ranges and Outback |
Catninga Hut: Creation of new visitor facilities at Catninga Hut, increasing overnight capacity and improving the quality of the visitor experience, encouraging increased length of stay and more visitation to surrounding National Parks. |
$20,000 |
$25,000 |
Clare Valley |
Skillogalee Estate: A new self-guided e-bike picnic experience, titled "Spring Gully Cycle & Graze". Through the procurement of new e-bikes, visitors will be able to ride from Skillogalee Estate to Spring Gully Conservation Park on a 3-hour loop tour. |
$47,500 |
$59,963 |
Eyre Peninsula |
Coffin Bay Tourist Association: 14 new interpretive signs throughout Kellidie Bay Conservation Park, Thorny Passage Marine Park and Coffin Bay National Park. The signs will feature QR Codes linking visitors to newly created interpretative information, visual assets and content on Coffin Bay Tourism's website. |
$19,800 |
$24,806 |
Adelaide |
Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours: The purchase of new kayaks and boat upgrades to enable a new 2-hour twilight kayak tour through mangrove forest at Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. |
$27,000 |
$33,799 |
Adelaide, |
Escapegoat Adventures: Purchase of a new luxury vehicle to enable premium small group e-bike tours and transfers for self-guided tours accessing National Parks. |
$20,000 |
$55,000 |
Fleurieu Peninsula |
SA eBikes: Establishment of an e-bike hub and the purchase of new e-bikes to enable new Aboriginal cultural tours that meet broad accessibility requirements in Onkaparinga Gorge National Park. |
$49,700 |
$74,251 |
