Expressions of interests (EOI) are being invited from prospective operators who wish to partner with QPWS&P and Munamudanamy (HINP)’s Traditional Owners, the Bandjin people and Girramay people, to establish and run guided tours along the Thorsborne Trail that showcase the islands’ natural beauty and cultural significance.

The opportunity presented is for a four-day, three-night guided tour taking hikers along the world renowned Thorsborne Trail from Ramsay Bay (northern trailhead), walking the trail from north to south, staying overnight at dedicated camping areas at Little Ramsay Bay, South Zoe Bay, Mulligans Falls and finishing at George Point (southern trailhead) in an immersive natural and cultural encounter with the island’s Traditional Owners.

Applicants should be environmentally and culturally competent, sensitive to national park and world heritage natural and cultural management principles, have demonstrated achievements in working with First Nations peoples, and experience in delivering quality cultural and/or ecotourism offerings.

Individuals, organisations or consortiums with the capacity, experience, financial resources, passion, and professionalism to capitalise on this opportunity are invited to lodge their proposal via an EOI submission with DESI.

This opportunity will be offered under a commercial activity agreement for a negotiated people that recognises the genuine commitment to deliver a world class experience, the level of financial investment into the product, the level of commitment and investment into the partnership with the area’s Traditional Owners and their aspirations to achieve economic independence on Country. The maximum term for a commercial activity agreement under the Nature

Conservation Act 1992 is currently 15 years.

The opportunity and how to lodge an EOI are detailed within the attachments. An assessment panel will evaluate the proposals received and DESI will then negotiate the details of the subsequent authority with the successful applicant.

Applications close 15 Novemeber 2024 at 4:00pm, with a cut off for clarifications on 1 November 2024.