More Great Walks For Queensland
Published Wednesday, 02 April, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Work is about to commence on four new Great Walks for Queensland, adding to the six already completed around the state.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said today that construction of the new walks - at the Conondale Range, Cooloola National Park, Carnarvon National Park and the Whitsunday Islands - would allow visitors access to some of Queensland’s most spectacular natural scenery.
“These four new walks bring to $16.5 million the State Government’s investment in 10 Great Walks throughout Queensland,” Mr McNamara said.
“The Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail walk is a new and exciting concept, involving sailing or boating between several beautiful tropical islands, with a series of short walks to viewing spots from mooring points and campgrounds on the islands.
“It takes in some of the most spectacular scenery this state has to offer from the famous Whitehaven Beach to the multitude of picturesque inlets and scenic climbs which characterise the Whitsunday Islands.
“The Carnarvon walk will link the Mt Moffatt and Carnarvon Gorge sections of the park, allowing visitors to escape the crowds and experience natural landscapes.
“The Cooloola walk will link the tourism towns of Noosa and Rainbow Beach via the spectacular eastern high dunes and the upper Noosa River.
“And the Conondale walk will include relatively easy or more challenging walks, with highlights including magnificent rainforests and spectacular waterfalls.
“As with all of the Great Walks there has been thorough community consultation involving local councils, community groups, environmental groups, Traditional Owners, government departments and other stakeholders.”
Mr McNamara said Queensland’s national park system is one of the state’s biggest tourist attractions, hosting about 16 million visits each year and generating substantial economic benefits for all Queenslanders.
“These projects aim to provide opportunities to experience our beautiful protected area estate in a healthy, safe and low impact way, but also to position Queensland as a premier bushwalking destination for the burgeoning eco-tourism market,” Mr McNamara said.
“Today’s announcement comes during the centenary year celebrations for Queensland’s national parks, and just days after the announcement of a huge increase in the area covered by national parks throughout the state.
“Queensland already has more area under national park than any other state, and the area covered by national parks will increase from 8 million hectares to 12 million hectares by 2020.”
Great Walks are already open on the Gold Coast and Fraser Island, the Whitsunday mainland, the Mackay highlands, the Sunshine Coast hinterland and the Wet Tropics.
Media contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said today that construction of the new walks - at the Conondale Range, Cooloola National Park, Carnarvon National Park and the Whitsunday Islands - would allow visitors access to some of Queensland’s most spectacular natural scenery.
“These four new walks bring to $16.5 million the State Government’s investment in 10 Great Walks throughout Queensland,” Mr McNamara said.
“The Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail walk is a new and exciting concept, involving sailing or boating between several beautiful tropical islands, with a series of short walks to viewing spots from mooring points and campgrounds on the islands.
“It takes in some of the most spectacular scenery this state has to offer from the famous Whitehaven Beach to the multitude of picturesque inlets and scenic climbs which characterise the Whitsunday Islands.
“The Carnarvon walk will link the Mt Moffatt and Carnarvon Gorge sections of the park, allowing visitors to escape the crowds and experience natural landscapes.
“The Cooloola walk will link the tourism towns of Noosa and Rainbow Beach via the spectacular eastern high dunes and the upper Noosa River.
“And the Conondale walk will include relatively easy or more challenging walks, with highlights including magnificent rainforests and spectacular waterfalls.
“As with all of the Great Walks there has been thorough community consultation involving local councils, community groups, environmental groups, Traditional Owners, government departments and other stakeholders.”
Mr McNamara said Queensland’s national park system is one of the state’s biggest tourist attractions, hosting about 16 million visits each year and generating substantial economic benefits for all Queenslanders.
“These projects aim to provide opportunities to experience our beautiful protected area estate in a healthy, safe and low impact way, but also to position Queensland as a premier bushwalking destination for the burgeoning eco-tourism market,” Mr McNamara said.
“Today’s announcement comes during the centenary year celebrations for Queensland’s national parks, and just days after the announcement of a huge increase in the area covered by national parks throughout the state.
“Queensland already has more area under national park than any other state, and the area covered by national parks will increase from 8 million hectares to 12 million hectares by 2020.”
Great Walks are already open on the Gold Coast and Fraser Island, the Whitsunday mainland, the Mackay highlands, the Sunshine Coast hinterland and the Wet Tropics.
Media contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002