Construction is officially underway on the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk, part of a $56.4 million investment by the NSW Government to redevelop the iconic Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and deliver the Dorrigo Escarpment multi-day walk.
The project will position Dorrigo and the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park as a major nature tourism destination, said Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe.
“Our national parks are where families make memories, children get outside and communities welcome visitors. The Dorrigo Rainforest is one of our most loved and visited national parks,” said Minister Sharpe.
“Connecting people to nature supports tens of thousands of jobs and drives economic development, especially in regional NSW.
“The redevelopment of the Rainforest Centre and construction of a multi-day walk will support more visitors to the region, get more people into nature and create 270 local jobs.”
The Minister said design of the Rainforest Centre is progressing, including with community feedback, to carefully manage visitor experience and environmental protection. The new centre will be a low-profile building which will sit lightly in the landscape to create an educational walk from arrival through to the Skywalk elevated walkway and surrounding rainforest.
Showcasing the breathtaking Gondwana Rainforests, the 46-kilometre, four-day Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk will invite visitors to immerse themselves in koala country and discover the cultural heritage of the Gumbaynggirr people.
The multi-day walk along the Dorrigo Rainforest escarpment will include three new purpose-built camps featuring bunk huts, tent platforms and communal shelters, offering a comfortable and memorable way to connect with nature.
“This is a transformative investment for Dorrigo and the wider Mid North Coast. By backing this project, we are creating local jobs, supporting our small businesses and ensuring more people can experience everything this remarkable part of our region has to offer,” said Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin.
“The upgraded Rainforest Centre and the new Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk will strengthen Dorrigo’s reputation as a must-visit destination. It will deliver lasting economic benefits to our community while ensuring our natural environment is protected for generations to come.”
