Planning on visiting regional Victoria this summer? Maybe hit up the alpine region for a foodie tour, some mountain biking and hiking?
Well put your hand out because the Victorian Government will drop two hundred buckaroos into your palm if you book and spend at least $400 on accommodation, attractions and tours.
It’s all part of a bid to inject dollars into local tourism and help an industry devastated by bushfires and Covid with 120,000 vouchers being be made available from December.
Premier Daniel Andrews today unveiled a $465 million Victorian Tourism Recovery Package to help the sector bounce back after a year of bushfires and necessary health restrictions to protect Victoria from coronavirus
The Budget will also provide more than $149 million to build new visitor accommodation, improve major tourist trails, and drive more people out to taste the world-class produce, food and wine on our doorstop.
More than $47.5 million will be spent to build better visitor infrastructure along the Great Ocean Road, including a signature coastal walking trail along the coastline and hinterland from Fairhaven to Grey River, with up to five new swing suspension bridges providing spectacular views of Victoria’s rugged Surf Coast.
Some $2 million of the allocation will be used to build more campsites along the Surf Coast.
The $18.5 million Gippsland Tourism Recovery Package will build new accommodation and upgrade the East Gippsland Rail Trail. There’s $3.5 million to build 10 eco-pods at Cape Conran Coastal Park, $2 million for more campsites, and $2.5 million to help establish the Metung Hot Springs and the Nunduk Spa and Eco-Resort. Plus $3.85 million to provide better access to Point Hicks Lighthouse – the tallest on mainland Australia.
$15 million will go towards works on the popular Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing hiking trail.
$13 million will deliver trail heads on the Grampians Peak Trail and visitor upgrades at Mackenzie Falls, and $4.3 million will enable the continued growth of the Prosecco Road winery district including helping to establish accommodation at Dal Zotto Wines.
A $150 million Regional Tourism Investment Fund will fund nature-based, First Nations, arts and culture, and food and wine tourism projects and $1.6 million will support First Peoples tourism businesses through advisory services, mentoring and digital skills development.
A further $106.5 million will be spent on tourism industry support and includes a $58 million marketing boost for Visit Victoria to promote the state’s appeal to Victorians and, beyond borders, to all Australians, in addition to support to help businesses adapt to new conditions and improve digital literacy.
