Re-Imagining ‘Dig the Tropic’: A New Era for Queensland’s Premier Geo Tourism Trail
Posted on June 25th, 2024
The renowned Dig the Tropic geo tourism trail, a unique adventure linking the Southern Great Barrier Reef with Queensland’s Outback, has undergone a dynamic transformation recently, following a successful grant through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Contestable Funding Program.
Aligning with the State Government’s Phase 2 (Evolve and Transform) of the Towards Tourism 2032 Implementation Plan, the one-of-a-kind self-drive journey which follows the iconic Tropic of Capricorn, takes visitors through a living museum of natural wonders and cultural heritage.
The Dig the Tropic Re-Imagined project established a formidable three-way partnership between Capricorn Enterprise, Outback Queensland Tourism Association, and Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC).
The $60,000 project was thanks to a $10,000 contribution from the three partners, matched by TEQ’s Contestable Funding Program, which has allowed a multimedia campaign including national and state television stories, a significant social media campaign and website upgrades, which would not have been possible without this funding.
It also included exciting new products and experiences that highlight our unparalleled, Queensland-exclusive geo adventures. Dig the Tropic Re-imagined will enhance and improve the existing trail’s appeal and accessibility for travelers worldwide.
A key driver of the project was to underscore the rise in popularity of Queensland’s paleo tourism sector, supporting the State Government’s ‘road map’ to grow dinosaur experiences across Queensland.
Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll, who has been a passionate advocate of the Dig the Tropic trail following its official launch back in 2008, remains committed to the continuous improvement of the innovative experience, which has placed our region as one of the world-leaders in geo-tourism adventures.
“Dig the Tropic is a unique journey that showcases the incredible geological and cultural heritage of our region, inviting visitors to explore and appreciate the natural wonders that make this part of the world so special,” Mary said.
“The trail ongoingly promotes greater awareness of the key strategic touring routes in Queensland which traverse through the Capricorn and Outback regions, dispersing more visitors and spend into our regional centres along the route.”
“Featuring a series of stops that are as diverse as they are captivating, including the Stone House Museum, Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Lark Quarry, the Sapphire Gemfields, Blackdown Tableland National Park, Mount Morgan, Capricorn Caves, Capricorn Dinosaur Park, the Southern Great Barrier Reef, and more, we encourage anyone planning a holiday to explore the wonders of Queensland’s past and unearth the treasures of our ancient world,” Mary said.
CHDC CEO Peter Dowling says the drive market and geo-tourism are staples of the Central Highlands’ visitor industry.
“Dig the Tropic has always hit the mark for our region so we’re proud to be able to collaborate with our neighbouring tourism bodies to bring in this new era for the trail,” Mr Dowling says.
“For us, it means two truly special parts of the Central Highlands – the Sapphire Gemfields and Blackdown Tableland – are going to potentially reach an even larger audience.”
Outback Queensland Tourism Association CEO Denise Brown said the reimagined Dig the Tropic trail would tap into consumer demand for transformational travel experiences.
“The Dig the Tropic journey highlights Queensland’s rich cultural heritage, ancient wonders and magnificent vistas along a tourism trail found nowhere else in the world.
“We’re excited about the trail’s huge potential to draw visitors beyond the major centres, grow new market segments and showcase our first-class experiences and attractions.”
For more information on Dig the Tropic Re-imagined and to plan your adventure, visit https://www.digthetropic.com.au/
