Open 1 November 2025
The Destination Activation Grant supports tourism growth and enhances the night-time and off-peak economy across the City of Onkaparinga. The grant includes two funding streams Event Attraction and Precinct Activation.
Our key focus is attracting and supporting large-scale iconic/major events and festivals and fostering smaller, recurring business-led activations that help enhance our precincts and visitor experiences. View the Grant Guidelines here(PDF, 508KB) .
Before submitting a City of Onkaparinga Destination Activation Grant application, event organisers must contact the Economic Growth and Tourism Team for an initial conversation. This allows us to:
- Understand your event vision
- Discuss eligibility, and
- Ensure your proposal aligns with our goals for tourism growth, night-time vibrancy, and winter activation.
Large-scale iconic/major events and festivals must:
- Strongly align with McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast destination strengths
- Have an inclusive and widespread appeal, and
- Generate overnight stays in commercial accommodation.
If your event is more community focussed consider the community events and festivals grant program.
Following this initial event or precinct activation discussion, the Economic Growth and Tourism Team will provide guidance, confirm eligibility, and outline next steps, including access to the Destination Activation grant application form.
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Up to $30,000
Events applying for this grant category should be large in scale, attracting approximately 1,000 plus people with an emphasis on attracting visitors from outside of the region.
Events must occur in 2026.
The Event Attraction stream is open to applicants across Australia, but the event itself must take place within the City of Onkaparinga local government area in South Australia.
Eligibility includes businesses, sole traders, individuals (including artists), business and tourism associations, not-for-profit organisations, and volunteer-run community groups.
Up to $10,000
Supports precinct-based activations driven by collaboration between local businesses to boost visitation, enhance the night-time and off-peak economy, bringing precincts to life, delivered under the Encore Activation Program.
Activations are different to events – they are temporary (pop-up), short-term commercial activities run over multiple days or a period.
Precinct activations must occur between 1 April and 30 September 2026.
Eligibility includes businesses, business and tourism associations, and volunteer-run community groups (au spiced business and tourism associations).
Further information
Before phoning, we recommend you review the supporting documents available on this page, including the Destination Activation Grant guidelines, checklists, destination overview and other resources to help you prepare for your initial call and subsequent application.
For any questions or to discuss your proposal, please contact:
Event Attraction: Viv Collins, Senior Tourism Advisor (08) 8301 7371 or tourism@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au
Precinct Activation: Eulonda Bolger, Economic Growth and Activations Officer (08) 8384 0643 or business@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au
For additional support in developing your application, book a free mentoring session through the Southern Business Mentoring Program and receive guidance on your event plan, grant application or activation concept.
You may already have your event documentation to support your application. However, if you need further inspiration or seeking a template, these can assist and be adapted for your event:
Event Management Plan Template(DOCX, 2MB) (Event Attraction Grant only)
Budget Template(XLSX, 53KB) (Event Attraction Grant only)
Marketing Plan Template(DOCX, 42KB)
Waste Management Template(DOCX, 37KB)
Risk Assessment Template(XLSX, 36KB)