Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk

The NSW Government announced this $56.4 million project in June 2022. The project will be delivered in stages and is due for completion in 2026.

The video below is a compelling explanation of the significance of this project. As Andrew Turbill explains, our overarching ambition is to improve and expand the opportunities we offer for people to experience nature in ways that are positive and meaningful to them.

The project also aims to drive increased nature-based tourism in the region and bolster the contribution that national parks makes to the regional economy and community wellbeing.

Our national parks are managed to protect their unique values and provide for sustainable visitor use and enjoyment.

The proposed project will undergo rigorous environmental planning approvals to ensure compliance with relevant conservation and heritage management plans under State and Commonwealth legislation. This includes working with Aboriginal custodians to assess Aboriginal places of significance and seek advice on spiritual and cultural values associated with Country and how best to respect these values.

Education and interpretation will remain the primary purpose for the revitalised Rainforest Centre. Compelling guided experiences, school excursions and contemporary interpretive elements will continue to be a catalyst for visitors to form emotional and intellectual connections with the parks.

Interpretation through innovative storytelling is one of the most effective ways to achieve an 'experience of a lifetime' for visitors. Developing rich and engaging face to face interpretation, including opportunities for local Aboriginal guided experiences, will be a key focus to immerse visitors in the natural and cultural landscape, creating a strong sense of place. 

We recognise that community input adds value to the work we do. The project team have hit the ground running, sharing the draft project concepts at briefings over the last four months and listening to a range of ideas and opinions from stakeholders.

The team has met with a wide range of community groups, organisations and individuals and has presented the concepts to Destination Coffs Coast and at the recent North Coast Tourism Symposium. We will continue to engage with stakeholders and interested community in a meaningful and timely way.

The project team has already engaged with Aboriginal groups such as the Dorrigo, Bowraville and Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Councils and the Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative. We work closely with the Gumbaynggirr people. Local Elders will help guide the alignment of the walk and work with National Parks and Wildlife Service to explore new and unique ways to celebrate their culture.

During the planning process, interested Aboriginal parties will be invited to register their interest in being consulted on the Aboriginal cultural heritage assessments for the proposal. We will work with Aboriginal parties to assess Aboriginal places of significance and seek advice on spiritual and cultural values associated with Country and how best to respect these values. Ongoing involvement will ensure that the visitor centre and walk will offer places for people to learn and connect with the culture of the traditional custodians, the Gumbaynggirr people.

The Dorrigo Escarpment track is planned to be for walkers only. The proposed standard of the walk (Class 4) won't be suitable to allow dual use by bikes and walkers. The terrain includes steep rocky areas, steps, rock boulders and river crossings, and along with the high rainfall experienced in the area, it's likely that the impacts of bike use on the Class 4 track will not be compatible with the walking experience.

Some existing management trails in Dorrigo and Bindarri national parks could be used for mountain bikes, and that will be considered as part of the master plan and review of the plan of management.

The Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk will include purpose-built communal low impact walkers' huts and camping platforms similar to some existing walks. The huts will not be 'luxury lodges', aiming instead to offer an affordable experience to allow a wider range of people to access the walk than if camping platforms alone were provided. National Parks and Wildlife Service will manage the walk with online bookings, but other detailed operational procedures and pricing for the walk are yet to be determined.

All visitor infrastructure improvements in the parks are subject to independent environmental assessments. The current draft concept plans and planned walk alignment are subject to change or strict conditions to mitigate any potential impacts on natural and cultural values. The proposed project will undergo rigorous environmental planning approvals to ensure compliance with relevant conservation and heritage management plans under State and Commonwealth legislation.