- Day-use areas, viewing facilities, and upgraded access roads
part of $21.2 million in upgrades to Karijini National Park
- Iconic tourism destination attracts 650,000 visitors a year
- Plans now underway to build a $2.5 million hike-and-cycle
trail nearby at Red Gorge
The Cook Labor Government
is transforming Karijini National Park with new day-use areas, viewing
facilities and upgraded access roads officially opened at the iconic holiday
destination.
Karijini National Park
attracts more than 650,000 visits a year, with many tourists visiting between
April and October.
The upgrades, valued at
$21.2 million, include:
- an
additional 120 carpark bays, 12 long-vehicle bays, plus new picnic facilities
and toilets at Weano Gorge;
- sealing
41 kilometres of access roads for two-wheel-drive vehicles between Weano Gorge,
Karijini Eco Retreat and Dales Gorge;
- new
picnic facilities at Fortescue Falls day-use area adjacent to Dales Gorge; and
- a new
cantilevered steel lookout extending out over Knox Gorge.
Plans are also underway
to build a new $2.5 million hike-and-cycle trail at Red Gorge, funded through
the Cook Labor Government's Outdoor and Adventure Tourism Package announced in
April 2024.
For more information
about the park go to www.dbca.wa.gov.au/karijiniroads.
Comments attributed to Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"The breathtaking
Karijini landscape has to be seen to be believed, with its cascading
waterfalls, ancient deep gorges and rich cultural history.
"There's so much to take
in that visitors should plan to explore Karijini over a couple of days,
including camping in the park or glamping at the Karijini Eco Retreat."
Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Attractions and
infrastructure are a critical part of tourism, and ensuring sites like Karijini
National Park remain world-class is so important, so they can continue
attracting hundreds of thousands of people a year.
"Importantly, these new
facilities will have a positive flow-on effect to local operators, who rely on
good infrastructure to keep attracting visitors."
Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"The construction phase
of this project has directly supported 55 jobs.
"The economic benefits
will continue to flow into the future as these new facilities attract more
visitors to the Pilbara, which is great for regional businesses."
Comments attributed to
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"The upgraded roads are a
gamechanger for tourism, especially for Banjima Traditional Owners who operate
the Karijini Eco Retreat, as we've dramatically improved visitor access to the
park's world-famous gorges and lookouts."
