THE Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk has reached a major construction milestone, with five bridges now installed across remote areas of Dorrigo National Park.
Once complete, the State Government says the $21 million Great Walk will offer a first-class hiking experience that encourages visitors to spend more time in the region, supporting local communities and sustainable nature-based tourism, and is expected to open for bookings in 2028.
The bridge installations are one of the most complex construction stages of the project, with large structural components transported and positioned in rugged terrain using specialist helicopter operations.
The new crossings, which include four suspension-style bridges spanning between 20 and 35 metres and a 13-metre truss bridge across the Urumbilum River, will provide safe and reliable access across waterways along the 46-kilometre Grade 4 multi-day walk through Gumbaynggirr Country.
Providing infrastructure in the remote escarpment environment required extensive preparation, with construction teams working closely to coordinate construction with environmental safeguards and Aboriginal heritage protections.
Tracks and infrastructure are designed to blend into the surrounding landscape while withstanding the escarpment’s high-rainfall conditions.
Tom Denman, Senior Project Officer for the National Parks and Wildlife Service said, “Some of the challenges have been an unusually wet start to autumn and winter and getting materials into remote sites.”
As well as the use of helicopters, much of the work to construct tracks had been done by hand.
The Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin said: “This is fantastic news for our local economy, putting the North Coast firmly on the map as a premier destination for hikers and nature lovers from across the state and beyond.
“The Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk is going to be so great for the North Coast, ensuring visitors
stay longer, spend more in our towns, and experience the very best our region has to offer.”
For more information on the Great Walk go to: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks- reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/community-engagement/walking-tracks-and-trails-in-national-parks/dorrigo-great-walk
By Andrew VIVIAN
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