Access Project Grant
The $5 million Accessible Tourism Elevate Fund supports the Queensland tourism industry to elevate the accessible tourism experience.
The Fund is an initiative under the Year of Accessible Tourism.
The Accessible Tourism Elevate Fund provided two grants – the Access Project Grant and the Access Starter Grant - to enable eligible applicants to apply for what they need, depending on where they are in their accessibility journey.
Applications for the Access Project Grant are now closed.
Successful applicants
The Access Project Grant provided between $50,000 and $250,000 (excluding GST) to 28 recipients, totalling close to $4.45 million. These projects will support the implementation of best practice accessibility, co-designed with people with disability and deliver tangible, high-impact accessibility improvements.
| Organisation | Project description | Tourism region | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airtrain Citylink Ltd | Implementation of platform gap fillers at the domestic and international station platforms for 20 doors and bathroom accessibility upgrades. | Brisbane | Brisbane |
| Australian Age of Dinosaurs Ltd | Electric wheelchair-accessible shuttle (buggy). | Outback Queensland | Winton |
| Bay Islands Water Sports | Adaptive equipment that supports on-water tourism experiences for diverse abilities, including aquatic/beach access wheelchairs, access matting, accessible paddling equipment and transport trailer, as well as an online website accessibility upgrade. | Brisbane | Cleveland |
| Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort | Aquatic lift with armrest and cover, adjustable king single accessible bed, mattress and guard rail, wheelchair-accessible resort buggy, and hearing loop and portable select hearing package. | Whitsundays | Airlie Beach |
| Bundaberg Tourism | Sensory audio guides to access travel information, dedicated digital Accessible Destination Guide for inclusive visitor planning, and a sensory-friendly inclusive event encompassing universal design principles aligned to an existing destination event. | Bundaberg | Bundaberg |
| Bundy Belle River Cruises | Purchase of a flat bottom vessel to enable Bundy Bell River Cruises to operate accessible river cruises along the Burnett River in Bundaberg from the accessible infrastructure at Riverside Parklands. | Bundaberg | Bundaberg |
| Capricorn Caves | Wheelchair accessibility upgrades to the 60 metre cave walk and kiosk toilets. | Capricorn | The Caves |
| Charlotte Plains | Installation of a shallow accessible artesian pool, development of audio guide and tour book, and purchase of accessible off-road buggy. | Outback Queensland | Cunnamulla |
| Cobbold Gorge Tours Pty Ltd | Wheelchair accessible modified coaster bus, all-terrain wheelchair, seat to fit to existing paddle boards, single wheel all-terrain patient transfer stretcher, an all-abilities accessible kayak launch pontoon, and portable ramps for varying levels in bistro and swimming pool areas. | North Queensland | Forsayth |
| Cooktown Museum | Installation of a lift, stair lift, and access footpath. | North Queensland | Cooktown |
| Daintree Discovery Centre | A 70 metre accessible canopy walkway, linking the Discovery Theatre to the Interpretive Centre looping over the Cassowary Circuit. | North Queensland | Cow Bay |
| Esk Caravan Park | Infrastructure upgrades to enhance accessible caravan and camping experience, including pool hoist, accessible BBQs and table seating and concreted pathways to connect accessible caravan and camping sites to park facilities. | Southern Queensland | Esk |
| Keppel Dive and Watersports | Purchase of a purpose-designed and built wheelchair-accessible vessel that can accommodate up to 2 wheelchair users, supported by adaptive equipment and technology including aquatic/beach access wheelchairs and access matting. | Capricorn | Great Keppel Island |
| Hamilton Island Enterprises Ltd | Construction of a co-designed access ramp into Hamilton Island Resort's main public pool. | Whitsundays | Hamilton Island |
| Hook-A-Barra | Access vehicles, hearing loops, and modifications to viewing tanks to make experiences possible for everyone. | North Queensland | Wonga Beach |
| Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World Pty Ltd | Implementation of new technologies across the existing fleet of 20 golf buggies to improve the experience of vision and hearing impaired guests with mobility difficulties. Includes 3D interactive screen, videos, mapping and guiding and a range of safety features. | Sunshine Coast | Maleny |
| O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat | Installation of a new accessible bathroom and a lift from the accommodation's ground level to level one. | Brisbane | Canungra |
| Qantas Founders Museum | An augmented reality/ virtual reality experience in two key attraction areas of the museum. | Outback Queensland | Longreach |
| Quilpie Shire Council | Accessibility improvements to visitor centre, including website accessibility upgrade, concrete pad for Night Show, access ramp to Rail Museum, accessible water cooler, upgrade of lighting system, and automatic hinges on accessible toilet doors. | Outback Queensland | Quilpie |
| Redland City Council | Upgrades and changes for access to the Redlands IndigiScapes Centre with modern and accessible design solutions. | Brisbane | Capalaba |
| Saltwater Eco Tours | Delivery of a new eco-tourism experience, a 1.5 hour guided canoe tour, including installation of adaptive paddling equipment, support infrastructure, safety equipment, staff training and website enhancements. | Sunshine Coast | Mooloolaba |
| Sea World | Accessible entrance ramp to enhance inclusivity and accessibility for visitors by providing a barrier-free pathway for individuals with mobility challenges. | Gold Coast | Main Beach |
| Southern Queensland Country Tourism Ltd | Development of an electronic and printable Accessible Visitor Guide for the Southern Queensland Country tourism region. | Southern Queensland | Toowoomba |
| Story Bridge Adventure Climb | An accessible bridge climb experience that can welcome individuals using wheelchairs, featuring custom-designed chairs and a mechanical winch system to facilitate ascent, along with a manual pulley system. | Brisbane | Brisbane |
| Strait Experience Pty Ltd | Acquisition of a Disability Commuter Vehicle and enhancement of its digital platform to support accessibility for people with disability. | North Queensland | Thursday Island |
| Tangatours | Purchase of a co-designed accessible glass bottom boat to expand the number of wheelchair users who can access the vessel. | Brisbane | Moreton Island |
| Noosa Ferry and Cruise Company Pty Ltd | Fully accessible and environmentally sustainable vessel for cruising the Noosa River. The vessel will accommodate up to 49 passengers, including 14 wheelchairs and include provisions for those who have low vision or low hearing. | Sunshine Coast | Tewantin |
| Traveller's Rest 1770 | Upgrade to the nature-based campground and bush walk to include accessible amenities including pathways, seating and shade. A suite of interpretive and interactive wayfinding and informative signage to enhance the experience of people with all abilities. | Gladstone | Agnes Water |
Read the Access Project Grant guidelines (PDF, 624.8KB) to learn more about the grant.
Key dates
Activity | Dates |
|---|---|
Applications opened | October 2023 |
Applications closed | December 2023 |
Outcomes of applications advised | April 2024 |
Project completion date | By 30 June 2025 |
More information
To enquire about an existing application, contact tourismgrants@dtis.qld.gov.au.
Last updated: 21 Dec 2023