With the number of visitors to Australia’s stunning national parks continuing to grow at a rapid pace, so too is the level of investment in the infrastructure there.
Parks across the country are seeing major improvements to campsite facilities, roads, and the development of new walkways and bridges to enhance the visitor experience.
In WA, for example the state government has just awarded a $5 million contract to build an accessible walkway and bridge across Glen Brook in John Forrest National Park to Advanteering Civil Engineers.
Construction is due to begin early next year and is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
Coming soon ... a walkway and bridge in John Forrest National Park. PIC: DBCA
When it is completed, the structure, which will offer visitors stunning views over the surrounding granite outcrops, Jane Brook and Glen Brook, and the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail.
It will also allow visitors to walk or cycle between the new West Ridge car park, expected to be completed by early 2025, and the future Park Hub.
Environment Minister, Reece Whitby, said John Forrest National Park was an iconic part of Western Australia, and it was exciting to see the key elements of the project coming together.
“Combining style with functionality, the Glen Brook bridge will not only provide a functional connection between key areas in the park, but it will also showcase its natural beauty by offering visitors sweeping views over the waters, granites and open forest,” he said.
Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes said the bridge would offer a vital link between the parking and the park.
“We’re delivering, as we promised, a better experience all round for visitors to John Forrest National Park,” he said.
Of course, John Forrest National Park is not the only stunning park to have seen major works carried put.
Earlier this year, WA’s iconic Karijini National Park underwent a major transformation with the addition of car parks, more sealed road, and a new cantilevered steel lookout extending out over Knox Gorge
Similarly, a $5.5 million upgrade at Ebor Falls in Guy Fawkes River National Park in the New England region of New South Wales saw two new lookouts, picnic shelters, and additional visitor amenities installed.
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I am not happy about that is going on to me its an over load of people to the area and most are good but with all that comes the bad , what concerns me is you don’t let people discover places its thrown in there faces come here go there just stop, don’t get me all wrong the infrastructure is good but let people discover you see i live in dwellingup and there coming in the thousands every weekend and during the week its like over run by people i can’t use a phone my park is full oval is full and then you have your weekend warrior in 4×4 coming and wrec havac on the bush give us a break .
Many NSW National Parks have been upgraded and appreciated. Including walking trails and amenities. Not so up north. The Queensland NP are embarrassing in comparison. No vision, no budget, what a waste!
TOO MUCH overbuilt infrastructure does cause a changed response in the eye of the beholder. More important to get down on the ground and truly appreciate the good and the not so good of Australia. Two feet and a heartbeat are the minimum requirement to enjoy reality v alt reality.