Funding has been secured for a major tourism project designed to enhance the visitor experience in the Central Highlands.
Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd has today announced more than $245 000 will be delivered to construct the Sapphire Gemfields Interpretive Trail.
The $526 000 project will be jointly funded by the Central Highlands Regional Council, and supported by the Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) and the local community, particularly the Sapphire Gemfields Interpretive Trail Steering Committee.
The trail will include an eye-catching art feature, a series of five large interpretive nodes in each of the Sapphire Gemfields’ townships and 30 smaller interpretive place makers at points of interest throughout the area.
Mayor Cr Kerry Hayes said the trail would encourage visitors to explore the Sapphire Gemfields and experience first-hand the geological features, history and culture of this special place.
‘The Sapphire Gemfields are one of the core attractions in the Central Highlands region, however there is no dedicated place in the area providing visitors with an orientation on what there is to see and do,’ he said.
‘The first idea was for an interpretive centre but it was soon decided that, rather than drawing visitors to a central point, we need something more that would pique their interest and inspire them to get out there and explore the area.
‘That’s how the concept of an interpretive trail was born.’
The signage will be supported by geo-caching technology, complementing the established ‘Dig the Tropic’ geo-cache trail which traces along the Tropic of Capricorn.
‘We are absolutely over the moon that this important project can now get off the ground thanks to the Queensland Tourism and Infrastructure Fund,’ Cr Hayes said.
‘Council and CHDC have been working really hard to cement the Central Highlands as a must-see destination for visitors from all corners of the country and this project will go a long way in helping us achieve that goal.’