Qld Govt co-funds VR experience in tourism boost

The Sunshine Coast’s new Amaze World outdoor amusement park has been launched, following a $1 million upgrade introducing new virtual reality dinosaur and treasure hunt experiences.

The popular tourist attraction, formerly Bellingham Maze, has been upgraded using co-funding of nearly $600,000 from the Queensland Government’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund, as part of the state’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

The upgrade also includes a new observation deck, pavilion, nature playground and water play area and amenities. The Queensland Government predicts that the new Amaze World could deliver an extra 25,000 visitors to the Sunshine Coast annually, generating around $900,000 in tourism spending per year.

Queensland Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said to date 11 projects have been completed in partnership with the state government’s 2020 Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund. New infrastructure delivered by the fund will create an extra $62 million in visitor spending annually, he said.

“The Growing Tourism Infrastructure program is designed to help Queensland tourism operators through the pandemic, support construction jobs and get world-class projects off the ground to build back better for recovery,” Healy said.

“Amaze World is an awesome example of tourism operators looking to the future with confidence to refresh a much-loved visitor attraction.”