Nature Based Tourism Grant Program 2025

Before completing this form, please read the guidelines on the Nature Based Tourism website. Your application will be assessed solely on the information provided in this form. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. This section determines your eligibility and helps ensure your application meets the criteria. Answer these questions first to avoid investing time in an ineligible application.

If you have any questions about the criteria, email naturebasedtourism@goldcoast.qld.gov.au.

The NBT Grants program is designed for projects that:

• Require Funding between $1000 - $100,000 to support the following:
  • Purchase of equipment required to operate a new tour or experience.
  • Purchase of vehicles/transportation to operate new tours or experiences.
  • Development of tourism product located on private property.
  • Professional services for product and experience development assistance.
  •  Staff training programs to support the development of appealing nature-based experiences.
  • Marketing activities (e.g., website, content creation).
• Do not require new lease or licensing agreements from the City of Gold Coast.
• Do not have any planning, building, site specific or operational constraints.
• Be ready for activation and commence within 12 months from when the Grant funding legal agreement is signed and approved.

If you are a successful Grant Applicant, you will be notified by letter of your success during September – November 2025.  Following receipt of this letter, you will be issued a legal funding agreement for review and consideration. Delivery materials and milestones will be included in the legal funding agreement.

Expected deliverables will generally include items as listed below:

• Legal funding agreement – Successful Applicants will be required to enter into a legal funding agreement with the CoGC, outlining the terms and conditions of the support and payments.
• Reporting/ Acquittal – Successful Applicants must submit progress reports and a final report, detailing the use of funds and project outcomes.
• Acknowledgement – Successful Applicants must acknowledge the CoGC’s support in all promotional materials and communications.
• Compliance – Successful Applicants must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and CoGC policies.

• 8 May to 30 June 2025 - Grants Program application period open
• September 2025 - Successful applicants announced

Failure to meet any of the eligibility criteria outlined below may result in the application being deemed ineligible for funding consideration.

Before you continue, please confirm:

• You have read and understood the program guidelines.
• You are offering a new or improved tourism product that benefits the Gold Coast.
• Your proposed project falls in one of the 6 supported categories defined in the Program Guidelines.
• Your project is ready for activation and commence within 12 months from when the Grant funding legal agreement is signed and approved.
• You operate with an Australian Business Number for at least 12 months.
• Your initiative must be based in the City of Gold Coast local government area.
• Your organisation is based in the City of Gold Coast local government area.
• Your organisation is a legal entity able to enter into a binding agreement with the City of Gold Coast.
  • Eligible entities include sole traders, partnerships, companies, and trusts.
• If you are a Not-for-profit organisations, you must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission or be incorporated community or progress associations.
• Your organisation is established and commercially and financially stable.
• Your organisation can clearly demonstrate sustainable practices (including environmental, social, cultural, and economic dimensions).
• Your organisation can account for any risks related to natural events, such as bushfires or flooding, that may impact the proposed location of their initiative
• Your organisation doesn't owe reports or money to the City of Gold Coast from past funding.
• Your organisation will obtain the right insurance for the proposed project.
• Your Organisation does not require new lease or licensing agreements from the City of Gold Coast.
• Your organisation has not spent any of the funds you are applying for before entering into a contract with the City of Gold Coast.
• You agree to subscribe to our Nature Based Tourism updates to keep you informed.