ALimestone Coast tourism operator was lucky enough to receive a grant under the South Australian Tourism Commission’s $2m Experience Nature Tourism Fund.

The State Government delivered on their election commitment and the first round of grant recipients was announced this month, which included local Bush Adventures.

Bush Adventures received a $15,339 grant to purchase a trailer and equipment to operate an immersive eco-tourism experience through various national parks throughout the Limestone Coast.

Also amongst the grant recipients was Adelaide-based Focused Expeditions, who collaborate with Bush Adventures on tours in the Limestone Coast and received an $11,577 grant to purchase cameras and equipment to provide to Photographic Safari guests who do not have their own equipment.

A total of almost $486,000 in grants will unlock more than $824,000 in combined project value, supporting operators to attract more domestic and international visitors while showcasing the state’s natural landscapes.

Other operators who received grants are situated across the regions, from the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas to the Flinders Ranges and Outback and Riverland.

Bush Adventures founder Uncle Ken Jones said he was “tickled pink” when he found out his business was successful.

“We were thinking that we would be very lucky to be considered, however, I think what we have got to offer down here around Mount Gambier and Port MacDonnell … justifies the grant we are getting, it is really a great opportunity to highlight the Limestone Coast,” he said.

“Although I was pleased and surprised we got it, I think we can provide good value and I think it is an opportunity for us to shine.

“The stuff that I cart around with me in the back of the ute, it is okay, but it would be much better to have it in a dedicated trailer.”

Uncle Ken said this endorsement would allow Bush Adventures to take people into national parks as they would now be licenced as a commercial tour operator.

Uncle Ken believed geographical location was something that set Bush Adventures apart from other grant applicants.

“There is nobody else down here doing quite what we do, we are on Boandik Country and we have got the opportunity to look at our Limestone Coast, which is very dependent upon weather,” he said.

“If you go inland you do not have rough seas, you do not have all those cold, south-westerly changes.

“Our weather here and our location has probably given us opportunity to look at something special and I think the tourism department would like to think that we can offer something a little bit different from the Adelaide Hills and Flinders Ranges.

“Maybe what we have to offer here is a little bit unique.

“We visit unusual special places off the beaten track and provide some special attention towards enjoying our local bush foods and encouraging photography, relaxation and enjoyment.”

Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said it was fantastic to start the New Year with a key boost for tourism, delivering nearly $486,000 in grants to create new visitor experiences almost double that in value.

“These new tourism experiences will highlight the important natural and cultural assets that are our state’s national parks and will enable operators to attract visitors from interstate and overseas, as we support the industry to recover from the impacts of the pandemic,” Minister Bettison said.

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

Applications for 2023 funding will open early in the new financial year.