Aboriginal Tourism Development in Northern Territory Parks and Reserves Grant Program

Rainbow Valley

The Northern Territory (NT) Aboriginal Tourism Strategy 2020-2030 Updated (Strategy) sets the vision that we inspire visitors to connection with one of the world’s oldest cultures through immersive tourism experiences, which sustain the Aboriginal tourism sector for future generations.

The Parks NT Masterplan’s goal is by 2053, there are Aboriginal led tourism operations on 50% of the parks and reserves that have area suitable for tourism development. The masterplan was developed through extensive consultation with joint managed partners, stakeholders and Territorians.

There are 85 parks and reserves across the NT. This grant program is complimentary to a tourism development investment framework recently released to generate new tourism products in the Parks estate.

The Aboriginal Tourism Development in Northern Territory Parks Grant Program is assisting NT majority owned Aboriginal businesses and organisations to develop Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences and tourism product for NT park visitors.

Tourism NT is providing a non-competitive funding pool of $400,000 (excluding GST). Applications can be submitted for –

  • a minimum funding value of $10,000 (excluding GST)

  • up to a maximum funding value of $100,000 (excluding GST)

For further information please contact Tourism NT’s Aboriginal Tourism team at [email protected] or telephone 08 8999 7420.

Applications can be made at grantsnt.nt.gov.au

Grant guidelines can be viewed here

Indicative dates

Applications open

Tuesday 2 September 2025

Applications close

Friday 6 March 2026 or earlier if program funding is fully subscribed

Consideration of projects

This is a non-competitive grant program and will be considered in the order in which a complete application is received

Notification of successful recipients

Within 4 weeks of receipt of a complete application

First payment

On receipt of a signed funding agreement and a copy of the recipient’s first supplier invoice.

Second final payment

On acquittal

Final date for projects to be completed 

Friday 15 May 2026

Dates are indicative and may be changed if necessary (for example, if a larger than anticipated volume of potential applications are received) or the program may close earlier if funding is fully subscribed.

*This is a Strategic Indigenous Tourism Project supported by the Northern Territory Government and the Australian Government.

Page last updated on 02 September 2025