ecoclub.com/blogs - news & views from ecoclub.com members

Font size: +
2 minutes reading time (410 words)

Australian Ecotourism Development Opportunity

Australian Ecotourism Development Opportunity

An exciting opportunity exists to create an ecotourism product on Miriuwung Gajerrong (MG) Aboriginal traditional lands close to Kununurra in the far north of Western Australia.

 

Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) is seeking interest from suitably qualified and experienced tourism operators with the capacity to develop exciting new visitor experiences in an essentially untouched area of the Kimberley. All interested parties are invited to discuss proposals with Tourism WA by firstly filling out the ‘Investor Response’ at the back of the attached brochure.

 

Kununurra offers a range of accommodation types for its more than 84,300 annual visitors and is a great launching point for extraordinary Kimberley experiences. A short scenic flight can deliver visitors to the awesome Lake Argyle and on to the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles), and the eastern gateway to the Gibb River Road is only 70km to the northeast of the Town.

 

The identified development envelope is a 19km or 12 minute helicopter flight from Kununurra. By road it is twice that distance with the last 9km being cross country and only accessible by 4WD.  Close to Kununurra but largely inaccessible, the area retains remoteness and intimacy with environmental and cultural values.

 

Near by the development envelope, spring fed streams supply a year round flow of water to small but enticing waterfalls and swimming holes.  Well-wooded valley floors support impressive stands of Livistona palms whilst hillside cycads provide visitors the feel of a very ancient land.  Tourism or cultural experiences could include, but should not be limited to:

 

  • Day or half day guided or self-guided walking trail.
  • Multiple day guided or self-guided walking trails with accommodation. 
  • Fly-in, drive-in or walk-in ventures that include environmental and cultural interpretation of country. 
  • A remote area dance or cultural performance facility. 
  • Stand-alone overnight accommodation

Accommodation could range from a campsite (possibly with limited facilities such as sleeping platforms/bush kitchens/ablutions) to a semi- permanent tented or solid safari style development consistent with other facilities in the Kimberley.

 

This project is part of the State’s Naturebank program and as such the venture will have a focus on experiential activities around the development of the facilities. Naturebank is a Western Australian Government initiative that aims to prepare sites for the development of quality environmentally sensitive tourism accommodation and experiences on conservation lands. It offers opportunity for ecotourism experiences that provide visitors lasting impression and understanding of landscapes and culture.

 

For more details see: http://e-brochures.com.au/tourism_western_australia/kimberley_eco_tourism_phase_1/

Sustainability Communications for Destinations
New TAEC Boutique opens in Luang Prabang, Laos

Related Posts