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Visitors to Queensland will soon be able to camp at Australia Zoo – with the Queensland Government having confirmed it will partner with the famous zoo to deliver an AUD 8 million wildlife camping experience on the Sunshine Coast.

The state’s Tourism Industry Development Minister, Kate Jones, said “the late, great Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo” would receive support through the government’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund to build ‘Camp Croc Hunter’.

Jones said while the Coast was known for its beaches and other major attractions, the new ‘Camp Croc Hunter’ project would give domestic and international tourists another reason to visit the region.

“The recent Governing from the Sunshine Coast highlighted how important the tourism and hospitality industries are to the Sunshine Coast,” Jones said.

“That’s why we need to support the local tourism industry.

“There’s another 4000 jobs on the Sunshine Coast compared to a year ago. We want to create even more jobs.

“Australia Zoo expect the project will support up to 33 construction jobs and 43 operational jobs. It will also have a flow-on effect to boost the local tourism industry.

“When the project is fully operational, it’s expected to attract more than 39,000 annual visitors and contribute up to AUD 4.5 million in visitor expenditure a year to the region.”

Jones said project would provide a 108-site camping ground designed to provide the full range of camping experiences.

Australia Zoo. Koala from Ballarat

“We’re talking about tent accommodation to caravan and RV powered sites to glamping-style tents and eco cabins,” she said.

It will also include a café, reception, entertainment and pool area, caretaker quarters and workshop, amenities blocks, covered cooking areas school camp facilities and a mountain bike pump track.

Jones said the AUD 36 million Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund was the first of its kind in Australia – enabling the government to partner with tourism operators to build new tourism attractions, adding that the state government was “investing more in tourism than any government in Queensland’s history”.

Australia Zoo’s Dr Terri Irwin welcomed the grant from the state Government’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund and said it would be a great boost for Queensland’s tourism industry.

“Our tourism partnership with the Queensland Government will enable Australia Zoo to employ more people in the Sunshine Coast region, encourage visitors to stay longer, and increase spending within our community which is fantastic for our local economy.

“’Camp Crocodile Hunter’ will be open in 2020 as part of our Australia Zoo 50th anniversary celebrations,” Irwin said.

Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive, Simon Latchford said Australia Zoo was a globally recognised premium tourism attraction for our region “and this exciting expansion inclusive of glamping accommodation will not only entice more visitors but also convert day-trip visitors to stay longer and spend more”.

Edited by Peter Needham