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The Queensland Government is tipping $8 million into two new Gold Coast tourism attractions through its $80 million Tourism Icons Investment Fund, backing Australia's largest zipline tour and the coastal city's first surf park as it pushes to grow the state's visitor economy.
The funding is split evenly, with $4 million going to the Numinbah Escape eco-adventure precinct in Numinbah Valley and $4 million toward the first stage of Palm Valley Gold Coast, a surf park at Parkwood featuring a wave pool backed by three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning.
The investment falls under the state government's Destination 2045 tourism strategy and its "Home of the Holiday" branding for the Gold Coast.
Under the Tourism Icons Investment Fund, all government contributions must be matched at a minimum by the project proponents.
Numinbah Escape is a $14.2 million project that will feature what its developers describe as Australia's largest zipline tour alongside a network of eco-adventure experiences in the Gold Coast hinterland.
The precinct is designed to draw visitors beyond the city's beaches and theme parks and into the natural environment of the Numinbah Valley.
Queensland Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell says the two projects will deliver new reasons for visitors to choose the Gold Coast.
“We are delivering on our long-term tourism vision, Destination 2045, by backing bold, world-class attractions that cement Queensland as the Home of the Holiday,” says Powell.
“These projects will attract more visitors to Queensland and strengthen the Gold Coast as a must-visit destination."
Powel says the funding's partnership approach, where proponents at a minimum match the government's investment, ensures delivery of "bigger, better, high-quality tourism experiences that drive jobs and growth across Queensland".
"These are exactly the kinds of tourism investments our Tourism Icons program was designed to attract - unique, world-class experiences that give visitors a reason to stay longer and spend more in Queensland," he says.
Palm Valley's first stage will centre on an Endless Surf ES48 wave pool, a surf academy and an upgraded golf course at the existing Parkwood Village site which is home to the Gold Coast Titans NRL team.
Future stages are earmarked to include villas, hotel apartments and commercial buildings.
Gold Coast-based Endless Surf, which manufactures the wave pool technology, announced Fanning's involvement in the project in November 2024, with plans at that time pointing to a mid-2027 opening.
Member for Mudgeeraba Ros Bates says the Numinbah Escape project will be transformative for the Gold Coast hinterland.
“Numinbah Valley is one of the Gold Coast’s hidden gems, and this project will showcase its natural beauty to visitors while preserving what makes it so special,” says Bates.
“This project will create local jobs and support small businesses, ensuring the economic benefits are felt right across our hinterland communities.”
Project developer David Taylor says the Numinbah Escape project will establish a world-class nature-based adventure destination, featuring Australia’s largest zipline tour and a range of outdoor activities like mountain biking, bushwalking, and abseiling.
“This funding will help us to create a unique experience that showcases the natural beauty of the Gold Coast hinterland while boosting tourism and creating jobs,” says Taylor.
“We are thankful to the Queensland Government for their support, which will help us put Numinbah Valley on the map as a premier adventure destination.”
Experience Gold Coast CEO Rachel Hancock sees the two projects making a key contribution to the city's existing tourism offering.
“Our tourism industry is leading the way in creating bold and innovative visitor experiences and the funding from the Queensland Government's Tourism Icons Investment Fund is crucial in supporting the development of these new attractions," says Hancock.
“We know that tourism is an ever-evolving industry and that forward-thinking investment like this is a key driver of innovation and helps attract more visitors to our city.
“It’s an exciting road ahead for the Gold Coast, with a pipeline of nature-based tourism experiences coming to market along with refinements to existing tourism product all combining to elevate our city's appeal for both locals and visitors."
The Tourism Icons Investment Fund forms part of the Queensland Government's broader target of growing the state's tourism industry to $55 billion in overnight visitor expenditure by 2032.
The latest investments come on the heels of the government announcing last week a $5 million grant for The Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast to help fund the attraction's refurbishment program.
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