Tourism investment to support growth across the Barwon South region

Things are gearing up in regional Victoria to deliver a strong pipeline of demand-driving tourism infrastructure.

The Enabling Tourism Fund supports tourism projects in regional and rural Victoria to reach investment-ready status. Rather than funding construction, the program backs essential planning work, such as feasibility studies and masterplans for future projects.

Thanks to the fund, 3 projects designed to create new jobs and benefit tourism operators and regional communities are now complete in the Barwon South West region.

Greater Hamilton Volcanic Trail business case, Hamilton

Plans to create a Greater Hamilton Volcanic Trail have revealed the tourism potential of land shaped by volcanic activity. The project delivered a business case recognising the significant cultural and environmental value of a trail to showcase the third largest volcanic plain in the world.

Extending across the Southern Grampians Shire, the trail would include:

• Wannon Falls
• Nigretta Falls
• Byaduk Caves
• Harmans Valley Lookout
• Wallacedale Tumuli
• Mount Rouse
• Mount Napier which is Victoria's most recently active volcano.

The area features approximately 100 extinct volcanoes that are surrounded by lakes, rivers and wetlands.

Village Bowl Geelong permanent fresh food market feasibility study and business case

Geelong and the Bellarine offers an incredible array of local produce crafted with skill and pulled fresh from the land and sea.
To leverage the natural resources that this tourism hotspot offers, this project delivered a feasibility study on the potential for a permanent fresh food market in the region.

The study explored opportunities to showcase local food, producers, growers and manufacturers, while supporting regional tourism and delivering benefits for the local community.

Luxury farmstay feasibility study, Geelong and the Bellarine

This project delivered concept testing, feasibility assessment and business case development for a proposed luxury eco-retreat in regional Victoria.

The concept focuses on a family-friendly immersive visitor experience combining high-quality accommodation with sustainable farming practices, with potential offerings including:

• farm-to-table dining
• wellness programs
• interactive farm activities.

Tourism is a big business for the Barwon South West visitor economy. In the March quarter 2026, almost 3 million visitors spent more than $1.12 billion and stayed almost 4 million nights.

The Enabling Tourism Fund is helping deliver a strong pipeline of demand-driving tourism infrastructure projects across Victoria.

To see a complete list of projects funded through the 2024 round of the Enabling Tourism Fund, visit: djsir.vic.gov.au/tourism-industry-support/about/current-programs#enabling-tourism-fund