Two additional grant programs are now available to support tourism operators to activate nature-based and heritage-based tourism initiatives: the Nature-based Tourism Small Grants Program and the Heritage Tourism Grants Program.

Many operators may be eligible for both grant programs – and can choose to apply for both grants or only one.

These grants are only available for a limited time – applications close on 2pm, Friday 3 December 2021.
The Nature‐based Tourism Small Grants Program

The $300,000 Nature‐based Tourism Small Grants Program is aligned with the Nature‐based Tourism Co-investment Fund.

The Small Grants Program will provide grants of $2,000 to $15,000 for small-scale and innovative projects to support tourism activation in South Australia. This could include creating new or enhancing existing tourism experiences, including seasonal or pop-up experiences, as well as tourism or regional events in parks and public places.

The Small Grants Program provides funding get these ideas off the ground, without the need to provide matching cash funds, which is a requirement for larger grants under the Nature-based Tourism Co-investment Fund.

Heritage Tourism Grants Program

The $250,000 Heritage Tourism Grants program is intended to accelerate the development of heritage tourism experiences and stimulate investment into heritage places.

Grants of up to $50,000 will support projects that enable the activation and use of State Heritage-listed Places, Local Heritage-listed Places or State Heritage areas for tourism purposes. These grants will be provided on a matched funding basis.

The program is a key initiative of the South Australian Government’s Growing Our Heritage Future Strategy and Action Plan, which was launched on 30 April 2021.

How to apply

Nature-based Tourism Small Grants Program
Read the Small Grants Guidelines (PDF) for detailed information about these grants, including eligibility criteria and the information you need to supply when submitting an application. Please ensure you have also read the Grant Agreement Terms and Conditions (PDF) when submitting an application. Please note there has been an update to the information about Public Liability Insurance.

The Land Manager Support Template and Risk Management Template may also be required to support your application.

If your proposed project is located in a reservoir reserve, please read the advice from SA Water about seeking their support (PDF).

When you’re ready to apply, submit your application via this portal.

(Note: If you would like to look at the application form before applying, download a copy (PDF). Please be aware that when you are ready to apply, you will then need to fill in your details via the portal.)

Heritage Tourism Grants Program

Read the Heritage Tourism Grants Guidelines (PDF) for detailed information about these grants, including eligibility criteria and the information you need to supply when submitting an application.

The Risk Management Template may also be required to support your application.

When you’re ready to apply, submit your application via this portal.

(Note: If you would like to look at the application form before applying, download a copy (PDF). Please be aware that when you are ready to apply, you will then need to fill in your details via the portal.)

Additional resources
You might find the following documents useful when completing your application:

The South Australian Visitor Economy Plan 2030
The South Australian Regional Visitor Strategy 2025
Parks 2025 Strategy
‘Nature like Nowhere Else’. Strategy and Action Plan
‘Growing our Heritage Future’. Strategy and Action Plan
Support

For further information about these grants or assistance with your application, call 08 8124 4934 (between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays) or send an email.

For assistance with using the Grants Management System or inputting your application information, call 08 8463 7883 (between 8 am and 4 pm weekdays) or send an email.

For assistance with using the Grants Management System or inputting your application information, call 08 8463 7883 (between 8 am and 4 pm weekdays) or send an email.