CAOA was created as an industry-led collective of iconic Australian arts and cultural attractions that have joined forces to present the best of Australia’s cultural offering to premium travellers locally, and internationally.
CAOA was created as an industry-led collective of iconic Australian arts and cultural attractions that have joined forces to present the best of Australia’s cultural offering to premium travellers locally, and internationally.
CAOA celebrates the diverse ethnic, cultural, and sporting influences that have defined Australia as a nation and a world-renowned travel destination. From UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites to the heart of our democracy, and from boundary-pushing art galleries, museums and performance spaces, to hallowed sporting grounds, these are the places, people and stories that have shaped Australia.
Comprising seventeen members in all states and the ACT, each has designed bespoke, pre-bookable, VIP and behind-the-scenes experiences, ensuring unrivalled access for guests. Exceptional guides and curators serve to bring these experiences to life, and to make them truly inspiring and memorable.
“Opera Australia is a founding member of Cultural Attractions of Australia and we value being a part of the collective. All members offer compelling and unique experiences individually, but we are a formidable proposition when we are showcased together. It provides us all another way to build brand awareness, connect with the tourism industry and introduce an exclusive side of our attractions to high value travellers who are passionate about arts and culture,” highlights John Quertermous, Vice Chair of CAOA, and Acting Marketing and Communications Director at Opera Australia.
Many of Australia’s leading museums and galleries including the National Gallery of Australia, MONA, the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, the Australian National Maritime Museum, along with our world class opera theatre, the Sydney Opera House, and performing arts company Opera Australia, are part of CAOA’s prestigious portfolio of members. Members additionally include fascinating historic icons such as the Port Arthur Historic Site, and sporting grounds like the Adelaide Oval and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
As a dynamic marketing umbrella for members, Cultural Attractions of Australia has an attractive website showcasing the wealth of experiences offered by members, that may be easily booked online; trade and media sites within this; and a fast growing social media presence and its own youtube channel. It has participated in several international road shows including Australian Marketplace in London, and many virtual trade events over the last year. The collective also has a dedicated module as part of Tourism Australia’s Aussie Specialist Program – all designed to introduce trade and consumers to the collective.
CAOA is part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences of Australia program for its significant role in showcasing the depth of our cultural tourism sector internationally. CAOA has also successfully captured the interest of luxury local travellers. Over the last eighteen months in particular, Australians have welcomed the opportunity to explore many of the inspiring cultural, historic and sporting gems right here on our doorstep.
In Australia, cultural tourism has grown substantially in recent years, and continues to be a major contributor to our travel and tourism industries.
Some of the memorable experiences that may be enjoyed with CAOA include the following.