Surf Lakes gets green light to expand Yeppoon wave pool into tourism hub

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.

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.

«We've proven the technology, but the machine was only ever built as a prototype, so it needs a lot of work