Southern Great Barrier Reef Agritourism Immersive Study Tour
Posted on November 1st, 2023
Six agritourism businesses from across the Southern Great Barrier Reef destination joined representatives from their three Regional Tourism Organisations (Gladstone, Bundaberg, Capricorn RTOs) and Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), on an immersive study tour of Northern Tasmania last week to hear the stories and journeys of pioneering and visionary families!
From cheese to chocolate, salmon to pork, berries to wine, accommodation to event venues, farm animals to truffles; whatever the Agritourism business, all had forged ahead despite many challenges, committing to their dreams of creating products and experiences on farm which have succeeded due to sheer hard work and determination. Authentic story telling, passion, vision, resilience, diversification of offerings, backing yourself, placing value on what you do in business were common take-outs amongst the mentees.
Thanks to an Agritourism grant from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) awarded to GAPDL, this Agritourism study tour (part of a rigorous Mentoring Program) was led by Bundaberg Tourism and assisted by RTO colleagues in Tasmania on behalf of the Southern Great Barrier Reef collaboration. Capricorn Coast participants on the study tour included Salty Lime Co. and High Valley Dawn, along with 1770 Limes & Abundant Little Farm, Gooburrum Grove, Bargara Berries and KC’s Fresh.
An excellent itinerary included a variety of operators from small scale farm tours through to large scale factories, all starting from humble beginnings.
Our incredible 3 day tour guide was from Experiential Tasmania , and we met with our RTO colleagues from Visit Northern Tasmania and North West Tasmania as well as the Chair of The Gastronomy Northern Tasmania (Launceston was recently designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy).
