General News
10 March, 2026
Tourism boost
FIVE Cairns region tourism operations have received lucrative grants worth over $1 million from the Queensland Government to boost their businesses.
Luxurious Bedarra Island Resort off Mission Beach, received $300,000 for a special Reef tour boat to provide small group all-weather Reef tours.
The new addition would enhance accessibility and expand tourism offerings for visitors of all abilities at the exclusive 12-guest villa resort.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures at Wangetti also received $300,000 to triple the capacity of its Big Croc Feeds experience, while Exemplar Coaches and Limousines received $160,000 to introduce an accessible transfer service for Port Douglas, Palm Cove and Cairns.
Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours in Cairns received $270,600 to create a “world-class eco-cultural tourism precinct including storytelling, guided tours and eco-activities”, and Kuranda Bird Expeditions received $88,154 to establish a multi-day birding expedition.
The grants were delivered in the first round of the government’s $20 million Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) - a key pillar of Destination 2045 - to unlock new attractions, expand existing operators and drive visitors deeper into regional Queensland.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the RTIF was backing tourism operators and delivering more to see and do across regional Queensland.
“Looking ahead to the 2032 Games, we have a once-in-a-generation chance to elevate our tourism offering so visitors stay longer and we create a legacy that lasts for generations,” he said.
“Queensland is the home of the holiday and the Crisafulli government’s multi-million-dollar investment in our regional operators will deliver more tourism offerings in more locations.
“Our regional tourism industry is booming, so we fast-tracked funding and boosted the first round of grants from $5 million to more than $7.6 million.
“Cash in the hands of operators sooner means more jobs, more opportunities and more money flowing back into our regional communities.”
Assistant Minister for Tourism and Member for Barron River Bree James said Far North Queensland tourism operators and visitors would reap the benefits.
“Investments like these are helping to build a stronger, more diverse tourism offering that will benefit local operators and travellers for years to come,” Ms James said.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) CEO Tash Wheeler said the investment would help regional operators grow and innovate, ensuring Queensland remains Australia’s leading tourism destination.
“QTIC has consistently called for targeted, regionally focused infrastructure investment in our state budget submissions, and today’s announcement reflects the importance of backing those priorities,” she said.
