Queensland, Brisbane and Cairns are entering a new phase of First Nations tourism development as the Queensland First Nations Tourism Plan 2026–2032 establishes a seven-year framework for growing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism across the state. The plan, developed through the Queensland Tourism Industry Council with government and industry support, places community leadership, cultural protection, business development and visitor experiences within a long-term tourism pathway leading toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For travellers, the strategy points to a wider range of culturally guided experiences across Queensland’s cities, coast, rainforest, islands and outback.
First Nations Tourism Across Queensland
Queensland’s geography creates a broad setting for First Nations tourism. Visitors can encounter Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led experiences across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Tropical North Queensland, Cape York, the Torres Strait and regional inland destinations. The Queensland Tourism Industry Council identifies five landscapes in its current First Nations tourism work: arid outback, open forests, rainforests, coastal regions and marine environments.
Brisbane 2032 Creates a Global Travel Platform
Brisbane 2032 is a major milestone within the plan’s timeframe. Queensland will host the Olympic Games from 23 July to 8 August 2032 and the Paralympic Games from 24 August to 5 September 2032. The Queensland Government says the Games will provide an international platform for showcasing Queensland’s landscapes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.
The Games are scheduled across Queensland venues, creating opportunities for visitors to combine event travel with regional tourism before, during and after the competition period. Brisbane provides access to museums, galleries, cultural precincts and guided experiences, while regional travel routes can extend journeys toward coastal, rainforest and inland destinations.
Community-Led Experiences Take Centre Stage
A central tourism feature of the strategy is community-led development. Experiences are intended to be developed and delivered with First Nations people involved in decisions about culture, storytelling, intellectual property and visitor engagement.
For travellers, this can translate into guided walks, cultural tours, storytelling, arts experiences, food activities, performances and Country-based experiences.
Port Douglas and Tropical North Queensland
Port Douglas and Tropical North Queensland provide an important setting for First Nations tourism alongside the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforest. Visitors can combine reef cruises, rainforest excursions and beach stays with cultural experiences led by Traditional Custodians.
The Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre connects visitors with Kuku Yalanji culture through guided experiences in the Daintree area. The region demonstrates how First Nations tourism can be integrated into established international visitor routes linking Cairns, Port Douglas, the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef.
Cape York and Torres Strait
Further north, Cape York and the Torres Strait expand Queensland’s cultural tourism map into remote destinations. Queensland’s earlier tourism framework also identified support for First Nations businesses and experiences in Cape York and the Torres Strait.
Culture, Food, Art and Tourism Careers
The strategy extends beyond attractions and tours. Workforce development is another tourism component, with pathways designed to encourage First Nations participation in the visitor economy.
Food and creative industries also provide travel experiences. Queensland’s tourism planning has included Indigenous foods, arts and cultural storytelling within broader visitor experiences. Travellers may encounter First Nations products through restaurants, galleries, festivals, markets, cultural centres and destination events.
A Seven-Year Tourism Roadmap
The 2026–2032 plan follows Queensland’s earlier First Nations tourism planning and establishes a new period leading directly toward the Brisbane Games. The Queensland Tourism Industry Council says the plan is intended to support sustainable growth, authentic product development, marketing and awareness, while strengthening First Nations participation across the visitor economy.
The plan also responds to international demand for cultural travel by supporting stronger destination marketing and clearer pathways for visitors seeking First Nations experiences.
Queensland’s broader Destination 2045 tourism plan is also expanding ecotourism, connectivity, events and experiences across the state. The Queensland Government says it is supporting new tourism infrastructure, aviation services and regional visitor opportunities.
For visitors, these experiences can add cultural context to beach, reef, rainforest, city and outback holidays. For international travellers, the result will be a broader cultural travel network across Queensland. Brisbane can provide an urban starting point, while Cairns, Port Douglas, the Daintree, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cape York and Torres Strait offer different regional pathways. Each destination can connect visitors with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through locally developed experiences, landscapes, food, art and storytelling.
As Queensland moves toward Brisbane 2032, the new tourism plan places First Nations experiences within the state’s long-term visitor economy. The strategy links cultural tourism with regional travel, employment, business development and destination experiences, giving travellers more opportunities to include First Nations-led tourism within journeys across Queensland.
