Redlands Coast is positioning itself as an adventure destination par excellence with plans for a signature festival next year that would showcase the city’s natural assets.
The proposed Redlands Coast AdventureFest would be held over two weekends – 16-25 May 2025 – with one major event delivered by Redland City Council amid a varied compilation of citywide events from other operators.
At this week’s General Meeting (18 September 2024) Council adopted the Redlands Coast Events Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2029 that details the AdventureFest proposal.
Mayor Jos Mitchell said there currently was no signature event that showcased the Redlands Coast as a destination brand.
“We have an opportunity to position ourselves as a nature-based and adventure destination with our diverse natural assets – such as Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), our hinterland bushland and the glorious waters and islands of Southern Moreton Bay – along with a climate suitable for outdoor recreation year-round,” she said.
“The proposed Redlands Coast AdventureFest would be a sensational showcase for our city and our aim is to attract participants and spectators from across the country.
“It would include active and outdoors participation sporting events showcasing the bay, islands, mountains and conservation reserves, such as mountain biking, hikes, kayaking, surfing, stand up paddle boarding, canoeing, sailing, rogaining and triathlons.
“As we have found in the past, once a visitor experiences the natural beauty of Redlands Coast they inevitably make return visits again and again.”
The strategy noted that attracting tourism through events was important to the local economy and that events encouraged visitors to extend their length of stay and balanced out year-round visitation numbers.
“A day visitor to Redlands Coast brings $121 per person per day,” the Redlands Coast Events Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2029 noted.
“An event that attracts 10,000 people has a $1.21 million economic benefit to the local community. Overnight visitors provide a greater economic benefit with an average spend of $203 per person per night.”
Council’s Tourism and Events team are in the planning stages for the inaugural Redlands Coast AdventureFest. To express your interest in being part of the festival, contact [email protected]
