Works start on Wangetti Trail South
Construction has started on Queensland’s first purpose-built walking and mountain bike track through a World Heritage-listed area and three national parks.
An earth turning ceremony on Transport and Main Roads land at Palm Cove signalled the beginning of construction on the southern section of the 94-kilometre Wangetti Trail.
The dual walking and mountain bike trail from Palm Cove to Port Douglas is co-designed with Traditional Owners, the Djabugay Nation.
During construction and operation, Wangetti Trail is predicted to support more than 150 good local jobs. The Trail creates long-term commercial and tourism opportunities for Traditional Owners and local businesses, generating up to $300 million for the visitor economy.
Stage one includes 1.3 kilometres of local multi-use pathway from Palm Cove to 6.5 kilometres of natural ground surface treatments for a shared mountain bike and hiking trail. Trial alignment is designed to minimise impact on the natural environment.
Built structures will include gully crossings, bridges and rock armouring with the trail intersecting 26 waterways.
Wangetti Trail’s first stage from Palm Cove Jetty to the Ellis Beach foreshore is expected to be operational by the third quarter of 2024, weather permitting.
The $47.1 million Wangetti Trail is funded jointly by the Queensland Government with $8 million from the Federal Government’s National Tourism Icons Program.
Wangetti Trail will be the most technically complex, dual-use, sustainable trail project through a World Heritage-listed area in Queensland and will wind through some of the most stunning wilderness in Tropical North Queensland, well-known for its quality outdoor and adventure tourism.
Once completed, Wangetti Trail will a significant contributor to the growth of the Tropical North’s domestic and international visitor economies.
Sustainable tourism is a $280 billion global visitor industry, highlighted by the Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap as having enormous potential for Tropical North Queensland.
The region is already recognised as a world-class mountain bike adventure destination and Wangetti Trail will build on that reputation on the runway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Djabugay Nation Applicant acknowledged and thanked those involved in the project.
“We are Djabugay Nation representing the five groups - Djabuganydji, Yirrganydji, Nyagali, Buluwanydji, and Guluy.
“The Wangetti Trail will provide business, education, training and employment opportunities for our people including pathways for our young people, our Elders and our community members working and celebrating Country.
“The Trail will showcase our ancient culture, stories, history, and our Country’s natural wonders to share with the world.
“By recognising the Trail’s significance to the Djabugay Nation’s people, it supports the process of healing.
“The Trail follows the ancient trail used by our Elders as traditional walking pathways throughout the Country to do business, connect and celebrate together.
“Every part along the Trail has a story that has been handed down through generations.
“We look forward to collaborating and developing long-term relationships and creating new opportunities for the future.
“We wish to acknowledge and thank everyone involved in the project from the beginning to this point, and growing the partnership with the Queensland Government, local Councils and other stakeholders.”
Read more about the Wangetti Trail.