Building a positive pathway for future Tablelands tourism opportunities

Tablelands Regional Council Mayor, Kevin Cardew and Council CEO, Dr Nikola Stepanov recently hosted a meeting with Andrew Powell, Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism, to discuss opportunities to strengthen the region’s tourism sector and support future growth.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to establish a strong working relationship with the Queensland Government, discuss shared priorities and explore ways to maximise the region’s tourism potential.

Mayor Cardew said building a collaborative relationship with the Minister and the Queensland Government would be important in ensuring the region is well positioned to capitalise on future tourism opportunities.

“Our region has huge potential to extend it’s already well-recognised status as a unique tourism destination, and I’m committed to working collaboratively with the Queensland Government and industry partners to identify opportunities that will attract more visitors, support local businesses and deliver lasting benefits for our community”. Mayor Cardew added “We need to look towards essential visitor needs for the future, like increased accommodation options and enhancing accessibility to the amazing tourism locations the Tablelands have to offer”.

The meeting marked a positive step forward with a shared focus on supporting tourism growth, strengthening the local visitor economy and exploring opportunities for the region into the future. Potential opportunities discussed included extending the region’s Rail Trail to directly link to other popular nature walking and mountain bike trails and other visitor locations like Platypus Park — a unique reserve in Atherton providing a rare opportunity for creek-side platypus sightings.

Minister Powell said the Atherton Tablelands was a fantastic tourism destination, with plenty to offer visitors and significant potential to grow the region’s visitor economy.

“The Crisafulli Government is backing regional tourism through our tourism plan, Destination 2045, to attract more visitors and support local businesses and communities,” Minister Powell said.

The Atherton Tablelands is home to a rich variety of historical towns like Yungaburra, Herberton and Mount Garnet, and boasts a nationally important network of trails showcasing the Tablelands’ unique natural environment and history.

From the Tablelands’ humble mining beginnings and history, its artistic culture and galleries, its renowned recognition for farming produce, the famous Tablelands waterfall circuit, through to the incredible historical railway connecting Herberton and Atherton, future tourism opportunities for the Tablelands are endless.