Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre environmental review available

The Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre is a $32 million proposed information and education centre that will attract visitors to Dorrigo National Park, with improved facilities such as parking, picnic areas and amenities. It will also be the start of the proposed Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk.

Members of the community can have their say on the proposal with the environmental review now available online.

The new visitor centre is a single-storey building with a spectacular elevated walkway providing a world-class rainforest experience and improved access to walking tracks including the Wonga walk, and waterfalls of Dorrigo National Park.

This also includes a new car park with bus drop off, electric vehicle charging points and an arrival forecourt as well as nature play and picnic areas.

To make way for this, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is proposing to demolish the existing Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and Skywalk, with many materials and components being recycled and re-used to create the new centre and elevated walkway.

Earlier in the year, NPWS shared the environmental review for the associated multi-day Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk. NPWS is reviewing the feedback received during the exhibition period and a summary report will be shared once the environmental assessment is determined.

The review of the new Dorrigo Arc Rainforest Centre is available for public input until 16 June 2025 here: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/consult. 

Quotes attributed to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Coffs Coast Director Russell Madeley

“As the existing Dorrigo Rainforest Centre facilities are approaching the end of their useful life, this is an opportunity to enhance the way NPWS showcases local Gumbaynggirr culture and connections.

“The proposed design minimises environmental impacts, while creating a sustainable visitor precinct that improves accessibility to help everyone experience the park.

“It’s fantastic that Dorrigo National Park has become a popular visitor location, and we want to make sure that we can sustainably manage this increase into the future.”