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Great Walk a major boost to our tourism |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 28 October 2005 |
The 43km Great Walks Sunshine
Coast Hinterland will provide a major boost to hinterland tourism when
it opens December 16. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Maleny Ranger
Cheryl said the state hinterland trail was one of several Queensland
Great Walks either under construction or opened.
| Cheryl Thomson talks about the Great Walk Sunshine Coast Hinterland, with assistance
from Bridget Sparks. |
These included Wet Tropics, Mackay, Whitsunday, Gold Coast and Fraser Island. Cheryl said QPWS officials had been inspired to do the project after seeing the effect on tourism of similar intensive great walks in New Zealand.
The Hinterland Great Walk will start from the northern side of Baroon Pocket Dam. It will include Kondalilla Falls National Park, Mapleton Falls National Park and Mapleton Forest Reserve. There will be three ?walkers camps? (inaccessible by vehicle) along the trail - one at Flaxton and two at Mapleton Forest Reserve. There will be 12 sites per camp.
"Because they're walkers camps only, you can't drive there, it will be only for people who want to go out and enjoy a natural experience," said Cheryl. Information panels will be installed at walk entry points at Baroon Pocket, Kondalilla Falls and Delicia Road. These will indicate the length and difficulty of walks, local history, flora and fauna, safety information and contact details.
"People can access the first 2.2km section of the walk now," said Cheryl. "But it is quite hard. You will need a high level of fitness to access Kondalilla to Baroon. This walk isn't for the feint-hearted and there's no mobile phone reception.
Liz Wood has been appointed as the artist for the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk. "She has been out camping on the walk and getting inspiration for her work," said Cheryl. A Great Walks Art and the Environment Exhibition will be held from November 16 at the Caloundra Regional Art Gallery.
In other QPWS developments Cheryl said the Glass House Mountains' Mt Tibrogargan walk was complete and provided a nice easy walk around the base of the landmark. New toilets have been installed at Mt Beerwah and the redevelopment of Glass House Mountains lookout (Lookout 589) has been completed.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 04 September 2006 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
