Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said:
“Cape Hillsborough is world-famous for the eastern grey kangaroos and wallabies who appear on the beach every morning at sunrise to forage for breakfast.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s $700,000 investment is fast-tracking the upgrade of Cape Hillsborough Nature Retreat to inspire more visitors to experience this stunning location.
“Mackay’s visitor economy is breaking records with 240,000 holidaymakers enjoying our great lifestyle in the last year and we want that growth to continue for more good jobs.”
Sustainability upgrade for Cape Hillsborough Retreat
- $700,000 invested by the Palaszczuk Government’s Visitor First Experience Fund in the transformation of the Cape Hillsborough Nature Retreat.
- Refurbishment to replace older accommodation and renovate caravan sites, park entry and reception area.
- Project predicted to bring 29,000 extra visitors to the Mackay region and support 44 construction and operational jobs.
The much-loved Cape Hillsborough Nature Retreat near Mackay is starting a 12-month, $3 million transformation, creating up to 44 local construction and operational jobs.
A $700,000 grant from the Palaszczuk Government’s Visitor First Experience Fund will kick off work on stage one of the Cape Hillsborough Nature Retreat’s upgrade.
Cape Hillsborough resort’s transformation to an eco-sustainable retreat is predicted to attract more than 29,000 extra visitors each year to the Mackay region.
Once completed by the end of 2024, Cape Hillsborough’s upgrade is expected to pour an additional $3 million into the Mackay visitor economy.
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said:
“Cape Hillsborough is world-famous for the eastern grey kangaroos and wallabies who appear on the beach every morning at sunrise to forage for breakfast.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s $700,000 investment is fast-tracking the upgrade of Cape Hillsborough Nature Retreat to inspire more visitors to experience this stunning location.
“Mackay’s visitor economy is breaking records with 240,000 holidaymakers enjoying our great lifestyle in the last year and we want that growth to continue for more good jobs.”
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said:
“Right now, adventure and sustainable visitor experiences are highly sought-after by Australian and international holidaymakers.
“Developing world-class sustainable experiences is a key recommendation of the industry led Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap for Queensland to shine as an international destination of choice.
“Cape Hillsborough Nature Retreat’s transformation is one of four initiatives supported by the Palaszczuk Government’s Visitor First Experience Fund.
“The $3 million program is driving in excess of $10 million in tourism industry investment to grow local visitor economies and more than 100 Queensland jobs.”
NRMA Parks and Resorts CEO Paul Davies said:
“The Cape Hillsborough Nature Retreat is in a prime nature position, sitting adjacent to a marine park as well as the beautiful Cape Hillsborough National Park, famous for its rainforest, eucalypt forest, rocky headlands, and volcanic rock formations.
“Our plans for the Nature Retreat’s development include a new entry precinct with outdoor facilities for both park guests and day visitors, a redesigned reception and restaurant area, and an integrated pathway complete with interpretive signage and artwork that will link the park with the beach and offer education on the region’s cultural significance.
“We’re excited to be working on a considered, reinvigorated accommodation offering that will include tent and pod accommodation on the foreshore, new cabins and upgrades to the pool and landscape.”
