The Future of Orbost and District Project is keen to hear from businesses interested in delivering guided and fully supported walks between Mallacoota and Marlo into the future.
Specifically the project is calling for Expressions of Interest from businesses to support early-stage feasibility through developing a guided walk product prototype.
The Project’s Visitor Economy Innovation Working Group acknowledges that multi-day guided, and fully supported walks have become a major trend in tourism.
These walks provide tourists with immersive experiences in natural settings, appealing to those looking for unique adventures and deeper connections with nature.
By offering personalised and engaging explorations of stunning landscapes, this shift in tourism has opened new opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses to meet the growing demand.
These walks also reflect sustainability shifts in tourism.
Liz Mitchell, chair of the Project’s Governance Group, a member of the Visitor Economy Innovation Working Group and an experienced tour operator, highlighted that Australia has many iconic walking tracks, such as the Three Capes Walk in Tasmania and the Great Ocean Road Walk, which draw hikers from around the globe.
“We possess equally incredible natural assets but accessing them can be challenging,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Several studies have underscored the significance of the Marlo to Mallacoota Coastal Wilderness Walk, which offers isolated beaches, spectacular sand dunes, pristine estuaries, and coastal heathlands and forests.
“Currently however, the walk is demanding and requires participants to be fully self-sufficient with the skills and preparation to navigate this remote area and its variable conditions.
“Our initiative aims to explore ways to make this walk more accessible and attract more high spend visitors.
“We also believe that having iconic walks will help build more awareness of what our region has to offer.”
Ms Mitchell said the Future of Orbost and District Project is offering to sponsor existing or aspiring operators to design the specifications of such a walk – including all the logistics of providing temporary accommodation and food, navigating waterways, and soon, to determine whether the walk can be delivered at a competitive price point.
“We hope we are simply kickstarting something that will become a viable commercial opportunity in the future,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Further sponsorship is expected to be available to support an actual pilot, should a commercial opportunity emerge as viable but need further testing.”
Given the collaborative ethos of the Future of Orbost and District project it is hoped the initiative might facilitate partnerships between local businesses interested in the on-ground delivery of walks and a business with a strong footprint in the premium guided walking tour sector.
Successful respondents will be supported by the FoOD Innovation Working Group.
Membership of this group includes community members, local businesses, and a number of government and support agencies – including Parks Victoria.
Interested parties can receive a copy of the Expression of Interest document and more information by emailing project@orbostregion.com.au.
Expressions of Interest close on July 12, 2024.
The Future of Orbost and District project is a response to the impacts of the end of native timber harvesting in Victoria’s state forests, and the need to transition the local economy.
The purpose of the project is to build on to Orbost and District’s existing strengths and leverage opportunities for supporting positive economic, social, and environmental outcomes. The Future of Orbost Project is
receiving support through the Victorian Government’s Forestry Transition Program’s Community Stream through to September 2025.
The Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry has an agreement with the Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to deliver the Future of Orbost and District project, which is overseen by a community-led governance group.
IMAGE: Expressions of Interest for businesses to have their say about the Mallacoota to Marlo walk close on July 12, 2024. Businesses are being asked by the Future of Orbost and District Project to support early-stage feasibility through developing a guided walk product prototype.
