Published on
October 30, 2025
Students at Curtin University have recently showcased remarkable and pioneering vision for the future of nature-based tourism in Western Australia (WA). Working in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), these students examined forested site protected within a conservation area for new accommodation ideas. The first conceptual accommodation sites provided by students will reposition the future of dynamic tourism by incorporating the key elements of sustainability, cultural embrace, and accessibility. The proposed ideas are transformative not only for students as real work experience, but also for the rapidly evolving tourism sector in WA.
Empowering Future Tourism Leaders with Real-World Challenges
The collaboration between Curtin University and DBCA offered a unique opportunity for six student teams to design nature-based accommodation that blends seamlessly with WA’s stunning natural landscapes. Under the guidance of Professor Michael Volgger, a leader in tourism studies at Curtin University, the initiative set out to create ideas that would contribute to the development of WA’s eco-tourism sector.
Professor Volgger stated, “For DBCA, it is an opportunity to gain fresh ideas and original concepts from the next generation of tourism professionals. For our students, it is an invaluable chance to apply their learning to a real-world challenge.” The partnership, which spanned several months, encouraged students to develop their skills by working directly with industry professionals, allowing them to refine their ideas and understand the intricacies of sustainable tourism development.
Fostering Industry Skills in Future Tourism Professionals
Throughout the project, the students were tasked with pitching their accommodation ideas twice—first to their peers and then to senior DBCA staff. The final concepts were shared with DBCA for future reflection and potential application in WA’s tourism infrastructure. This approach provided the students with a hands-on experience, helping them develop critical thinking, creativity, and industry-relevant skills.
“This practical, assessed experience rounds off the student learning journey and prepares them to be job-ready professionals for WA’s tourism industry,” said Professor Volgger. By engaging with a real-world challenge, the students had the opportunity to validate their academic knowledge, ensuring they were equipped to meet the demands of the rapidly growing tourism sector in WA.
The students’ designs showcased their ability to balance cutting-edge concepts with practical applications, allowing them to merge innovative ideas with sustainability. The project gave rise to a diverse range of ideas, each aimed at enhancing the experience of tourists while preserving the natural environment of WA’s forests and protected areas.
Karlup Cabins: A Winning Concept for Immersive, Accessible Forest Retreats
Among the many creative ideas pitched, the winning concept—Karlup Cabins—stood out for its focus on safety, accessibility, and cultural immersion. Designed to help guests confidently explore WA’s forests, the concept aimed to provide an accessible introduction to the natural beauty of the region, especially for those unfamiliar with the Australian bush.
Team member Lauren Humphryson shared insights into their design process: “We soon realized there were common perceived safety and accessibility risks when exploring the Australian bush,” she said. “Karlup Cabins was prepared in response to these pain points, aiming to create an immersive yet seamless introduction to the Western Australian forests.”
The concept focuses on creating a nature-immersive cabin retreat built around a central, iconic fireplace. The cabins would feature traditional campfire cooking, communal yarning circles, and stargazing opportunities, allowing guests to experience First Nations wisdom alongside sustainable design. The cabins would also feature partnerships with local operators to immerse guests in both the natural environment and Indigenous culture, further enriching the visitor experience.
One of the major challenges faced by the team was designing an accommodation space that allowed for innovation and spaciousness without compromising the natural environment. “Our biggest challenge was balancing an innovative, spacious design without sacrificing any of the nature of the space,” Lauren said. “We believed this is something we accomplished.”
The concept’s emphasis on sustainability and environmental sensitivity was crucial, ensuring that the cabins would blend harmoniously with their natural surroundings. This is an essential factor for nature-based tourism, which has a growing focus on minimizing human impact while allowing guests to deeply connect with the environment.
Encouraging Sustainable and Culturally Respectful Tourism
Throughout the design process, the themes of cultural immersion and sustainability emerged as significant focus areas. Sveva Falletto, Executive Director for the Nature-based Tourism Division at DBCA, praised the students for their imaginative thinking and cultural sensitivity. “Student-driven ideas bring fresh perspectives and imaginative thinking to the table. These ideas help spark internal conversations and may inform early-stage thinking or inspire future planning frameworks,” she said.
Falletto also noted that all the student proposals demonstrated a profound respect for place and a desire to create low-impact experiences that connected people with nature. These qualities are especially important in nature-based tourism, where the goal is not just to attract visitors, but to do so in a way that enhances their understanding of and connection to the environment.
As WA continues to grow as a top global tourism destination, these student-led initiatives have proven to be an invaluable resource. By focusing on low-impact, culturally rich experiences, the ideas presented at Curtin University may help set a new standard for how tourists experience the region’s natural wonders.
The Future of WA Tourism: A Vision Rooted in Sustainability and Local Culture
WA’s tourism industry stands at a crossroads, with growing interest in nature-based and eco-tourism experiences. The innovative ideas brought forth by Curtin University students offer a glimpse into the future of tourism in the region. As visitors increasingly seek meaningful and immersive travel experiences, these new accommodation concepts offer a sustainable and culturally respectful approach to tourism development.
The project has shown how the imagination of emerging tourism professionals can help guide larger discussions about how people experience WA’s unique landscapes. As the tourism sector expands, these new ideas could serve as a roadmap for developing infrastructure that blends innovation with environmental stewardship.
Furthermore, the emphasis on cultural immersion presents a powerful opportunity for WA’s tourism sector to celebrate and preserve the region’s Indigenous culture. By fostering deeper connections between visitors and local traditions, the tourism industry can play a significant role in promoting cultural understanding and appreciation.
A Bright Future for WA’s Nature-Based Tourism
Partnerships between Curtin University and DBCA have given students valuable hands-on experience and generated new potential ideas for the future of nature-based tourism in Western Australia (WA). Students have made and proposed eco-tourism ideas which incorporate the principles of sustainability, cultural accessibility, and ethical cultural immersion for WA tourism. For the WA community, these ideas promise immersion yet respect for the environment and appreciation of the local culture. For tourists, these ideas cater to the importance of cultural accessibility and ethical immersion in their eco-tourism experience.
WA remains one of the fastest growing Australian states for tourism. The new ideas that Curtin University students have proposed are important for building the WA tourism industry. Increasingly, tourists want experiences that are nature-based and allow for the cultivation of responsible tourism, ideas that students proposed are likely to attract decision makers who are developing WA tourism infrastructure. As WA develops responsible eco-tourism, students’ ideas will help position WA as a highly desired eco-tourism and cultural tourism destination.
