On a perfect Autumn morning, Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulous visited Phillip Island today to announce a $62 million investment in regional tourism.

On site at the Penguin Parade, which is in stage one of a boardwalk upgrade thanks to a State Government grant, the Minister announced a new round of funding was open for the Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

He was keen to emphasize grants of up to $5 million were available for small and large scale projects and accommodation improvement projects.

Phillip Island Nature Parks received $5 million in a previous funding round to create a new accessible boardwalk with penguin viewing stands and additional seating.

The new funding round offers grants in three streams – between $100,000 and $1 million for small scale projects; grants between $1 -$5 million for large scale projects and grants between $500,000 and $2 million for accommodation improvement projects.

While onsite, the Minister received an update on the construction of the new boardwalk from Nature Parks staff.