Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre - economic impact of management and visitor expenditure

The Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre is within Morton National Park, 40km north-west of Nowra. It is two hours’ drive from Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong. The centre acts as a northern gateway to Morton National Park, and receives around 300,000 visitors each year.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) wanted to better understand the economic impact of the centre on the surrounding regional economy.

A study was commissioned in 2002 to:

  • identify the nature and size of the regional economy, by assessing the relative economic performance of the various industries making up the economy
  • assess the current direct and indirect economic contribution of Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre and its visitors to this regional economy.

The study confirmed the valuable economic contribution of the NPWS Fitzroy Falls Visitor Centre as a major visitor attraction within the region. This is in addition to the social and educational benefits that the centre fosters.

This is one of a series of NPWS studies aimed at identifying the economic contribution of park management and park visitors for local economies and employment in regional NSW.