Wangetti Trail back on track as construction begins

• The Crisafulli Government is delivering the next stage of the Wangetti Trail with construction now underway on the Ellis Beach to Wangetti section.
• The 94-kilometre Wangetti Trail from Palm Cove to Port Douglas will be delivered as part of the Crisafulli Government’s long-term tourism plan Destination 2045.
• Cairns-based trail specialists World Trail have been appointed to deliver the next stage, bringing local expertise to this major tourism project.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy and getting the project moving after years of delays, cost blowouts and lost community confidence under Labor. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering its Destination 2045 vision, with construction now underway on the next stage of the Wangetti Trail in Tropical North Queensland. 

Destination 2045 is about building the tourism experiences that will attract more visitors, encourage them to stay longer and drive jobs and investment in Queensland’s regions. 

The 94-kilometre Wangetti Trail will be a major addition to Queensland’s ecotourism offering, helping cement Tropical North Queensland as a world-class destination for adventure and nature-based tourism. 

Cairns-based trail design and construction specialists World Trail has been appointed principal contractor for the Ellis Beach to Wangetti section, bringing proven local expertise to the delivery of this major tourism experience. 

Backed by more than $31 million from the Crisafulli Government, construction of Stage 2 will extend the trail’s spectacular coastal and rainforest journey, building on the Palm Cove to Ellis Beach section which opened in September 2024. 

That first section has already attracted more than 19,000 visitors, demonstrating the strong demand for high-quality nature-based tourism experiences in Tropical North Queensland. 

The Ellis Beach to Wangetti section will include approximately 22 kilometres of dual-use trails, bridges and boardwalks, suspension bridges and a public campground catering for up to 20 campers. 

The Wangetti Trail will deliver a 94-kilometre adventure experience from Palm Cove to Port Douglas. 

Since coming to Government, the Crisafulli Government has taken action to reset the project and get it moving:

• The project team has been moved from Brisbane to be based in Cairns, bringing decision-making closer to the community and the people who know the region best.
• Responsibility for delivery has moved to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, putting the project with the agency responsible for managing Queensland’s national parks and protected areas. 

After years of delays and budget blowouts under the former Labor Government, the Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy getting the Wangetti Trail back on track and getting on with the job of delivering it. 

Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the start of construction was another example of the Crisafulli Government turning around projects that had been allowed to drift under Labor. 

“The Wangetti Trail is a great example of the difference a change of Government can make,” said Minister Powell 

“Labor had years to deliver the Wangetti Trail, but instead left behind delays, cost blowouts and a loss of community confidence. 

“We came to Government, changed the way the project was being delivered, moved the team to Cairns and got it back on track.