Mackay Whitsunday parks bouncing back after Debbie

The world-famous Hill Inlet lookout on Whitsunday Island is one of the many visitor sites in the Whitsundays and Mackay area open for Easter, thanks to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers’ mighty efforts to clean up these vital tourism sites after Tropical Cyclone Debbie. 

National Parks Minister Steven Miles said one of the region’s worst-ever cyclones had stripped vegetation and eroded beaches, but Whitsunday Island, like others in the national park, would recover. 

“QPWS pulled in vessels and staff from around Queensland to help with the recovery. Rangers have cleared the track up to Hill Inlet lookout, and the view over the turquoise waters and white silica sands is still spectacular,” Mr Miles said. 

“Many of the region’s most popular visitor sites and campgrounds are now open, and it’s been great to see visitors and tourism operators already making the most of these reopened sites. 

“Clean-up efforts will continue beyond Easter, and will include tidying up the famous Whitehaven Beach which TC Debbie left eroded and covered with fallen trees and branches. 

“Underwater sites haven’t been forgotten either, and QPWS is working closely with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators to assess popular snorkelling destinations and replant coral where possible.

“Starting yesterday, 12 April, public mooring facilities will be checked for cyclone damage. The area has about 90 of these moorings that were installed to minimise anchor damage to coral,” he said.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said many mainland parks and forests around Mackay and Airlie Beach were also impacted. 

She said QPWS was working hard to restore access, and keeping tour operators advised. 

“QPWS has been making good progress, with some key sites opening,” Ms Gilbert said.

“The majority of camping areas and day-use facilities in Eungella National Park and Crediton State Forest are open. 

“In Cape Hillsborough National Park, day-use, camping areas, and walking tracks are open, as well as all camping areas in Cape Palmerston National Park. 

“Some closures in parks and forests are still in place due to treefalls and landslides, so we encourage intending visitors to check park alerts, strictly observe signage and closures, and put your safety first,” she said. 

Campers who have booked sites that are closed due to TC Debbie can apply for a refund or gift card via the online booking system at www.qld.gov.au/camping or by calling 13 7468 (13 QGOV).  

A list of Whitsunday National Park sites is below and visitors can check park alerts at www.npsr.qld.gov.au/park-alerts for updates. 

Status of Whitsunday Island National Park locations, as at 7 April 2017: 

Whitsunday Island

o   Cairn Beach – open

o   Tongue Point lookout – open

o   Dugong Beach – open

o   Chance Bay – open

o   Whitehaven Beach – open, use caution due to minimal beach at high tide. No access to facilities including the day-use area, toilets, camping area and Solway Circuit track until 14 April due to the operation of heavy machinery.

o   Sawmill Beach – closed, anticipate re-opening by 14 April

o   Nari’s Beach – closed, anticipate re-opening by 14 April

o   Joe’s Beach - closed, anticipate re-opening by 14 April

Hook Island

o   Maureens Cove – open

o   Steens Beach – open

o   Curlew Beach – open

o   Crayfish Beach – open

Henning Island – open

Planton Island – open

Denman Island – open

North Molle Island

o   Cockatoo Beach – open

South Molle Island

o   Sandy Bay – closed, anticipate re-opening by 14 April

o   Paddle Bay – open

Tancred Island – closed until further notice

Long Island – closed until further notice

ENDS 

Photos to be credited to the Queensland Government:

Hill Inlet –The views are still brilliant from Hill Inlet lookout, even after TC Debbie slammed into the Whitsundays. 

QPWS rangers restore acces – QPWS rangers work to clear vegetation and restore access to the tracks on Whitsunday Island after TC Debbie. 

Pine Grove Circuit – rangers faced a Herculean task carving out a path on the Pine Grove Circuit at Eungella. 

Media: Katharine Wright 0422 580 342