Two Limestone Coast tourism operators have been allocated State Government funding to boost their operations.


The State Government has announced the recipients of the second round of Experience Nature Tourism Fund grants with 15 products and experiences supported across South Australia.


Designed to showcase the state’s natural landscapes and help attract domestic and international visitors, the fund already created new world-class tourism products and experiences last year.


Round one of the ENTF saw a total of $485,800 allocated to 18 projects, with a project value of $824,000.


The projects included accommodation refurbishments, purchases of new vehicles, and marketing including content creation.


The second round of funding brings the total allocated through the Experience Nature Tourism Fund to date to nearly $1m in grants and a combined project value of almost $1.6m.


Operators receiving grants are spread across regional South Australia, including the Adelaide Hills, Eyre Peninsula, Fleurieu Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and Outback, Kangaroo Island, Limestone Coast, Murray River Lakes and Coorong, and the Yorke Peninsula.


Project types range from new accommodation and equipment to vehicle purchases and marketing.


Walk the Limestone Coast has been allocated $20,000 towards the purchase of a vehicle to transport walkers to daily walk points on two multi-day walking tours visiting the region’s national parks.


See Adelaide and Beyond will receive $50,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle to increase capacity on multi-day tours bringing visitors from Victoria to Adelaide, visiting the Naracoorte Caves.


The group mainly operates in the Limestone Coast, with its tours also taking in Adelaide, Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Murray River Lakes and Coorong, and the Riverland.


See Adelaide and Beyond owner Dallas Coull said tourism had been a very tough industry to be in over the past few years.


“Post-COVID it is so important to promote quality product that showcases South Australia’s world class regions,” he said.


“These grants are going to enable some amazing tourism operators to put some outstanding new products into the market.


“Without this grant we simply would not be able to get this vehicle to put this extra capacity into regional South Australia.


“It’s a very exciting time to be in the tourism industry.”


The funding program runs over four financial years, with up to $500,000 available in each year.


Applications for round three funding will open early in the new financial year.