A world-first wave pool in regional Queensland is one step closer to becoming the state's next surfing mecca.
The Surf Lakes site sits inland from Yeppoon and already has rave reviews from pro surfers, including Mark Occhilupo, who have been testing the technology since 2018.
The next big break for the central Queensland site is expansion into a tourism hotspot with the company's development application, including glamping sites and restaurants, this week approved by Livingstone Council.
It is a surreal achievement for Surf Lakes founder and chief executive Aaron Trevis, who grew up in Yeppoon and learnt to surf at Farnborough Beach.
"I'm really thrilled," he said.
"It's great to have that started in my hometown.
"I'm currently over in the US talking to licensees over here and it's quite satisfying that we launched it in Yeppoon and we're taking Aussie waves to the world."
Mr Trevis expects between 100,000 and 300,000 visitors annually to the tourist park once it is up and running, which would make it one of the biggest tourism attractions in central Queensland.
Plenty of work needed
Although Surf Lakes has multiple projects across the globe, Yeppoon's tourism facility is the first to get all the relevant approvals to open commercially.
Now approvals for stage one are in place, Mr Trevis and his team are looking at the feasibility of re-building the wave pool prototype versus upgrading it — which would take less time.
"[The wave pool] needs a new liner, the machine needs to be upgraded, there's no entrance facilities. A whole range of things that need to happen," he said.
Mr Trevis said Surf Lakes is also trying to find partners willing to invest.
Accommodation options
Stage one of the development, which has been approved, includes camping and glamping sites, cabins, a restaurant, a learn to surf lagoon, skate park, scuba pool, and solar farm.
Stage two will expand accommodation to include a boutique hotel, aqua park, and village green.
Mr Trevis joked that "not everyone wants to camp under their surfboard like I'm willing to do to get a good wave", so there will be a range of options to stay on site.
Eventually there will be 52 cabins, 100 caravan or camp sites, and a 75-bed boutique hotel.
Mr Trevis can not put a date on when work will start but said locals could expect to see some movement at the site in coming months.
Livingstone Shire Mayor Andy Ireland said the development would put the Capricorn Coast "on the national and international map for world-class tourism facilities".
Cr Ireland said one of the most appealing aspects of the proposal was the inclusion of a solar farm, reducing its environmental footprint.
