- Indigenous Land Use Agreements for Wangetti Trail secured.
- Agreements allow work to start in National Park areas from Palm Cove to Mowbray River.
- 94-kilometre Wangetti Trail to support 150 good Queensland jobs and $300 million for Tropical North Queensland’s visitor economy.
Djabugay Nation Elders and Leaders and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk have today celebrated the signing of Wangetti Trail’s Indigenous Land Use Agreements.
Traditional Owners joined the Premier, Member for Barron River Craig Crawford, Member for Cairns Michael Healy and Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe on a trek through the trail’s first 1.3-kilometres from Palm Cove.
Securing Indigenous Land Use Agreements with the Djabugay Nation allows work to begin in National Park areas from Palm Cove to Mowbray River, while protecting cultural heritage.
The $47.1 million, 94-kilometre Wangetti Trail will be Queensland’s only purpose-built walking and mountain bike track in a National Park.
Plans for Wangetti Trail include camping and eco-accommodation along the route, which will take hikers up to six days to complete.
Construction will deliver 150 Queensland jobs and sustainable, long-term tourism business opportunities for Traditional Owners.
Wangetti Trail has been co-designed with Djabugay Nations’ Traditional Owners including the Djabugay, Yirrganydji, Buluwai, Nyakali and Guluy groups.
The Palaszczuk Government is investing $39.1 million in construction with the Australian Government’s National Tourism Icons Program contributing an additional $8 million.
Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Our government is proud to back job creating infrastructure that also showcases Queensland’s great lifestyle and connection to our natural wonders.
“The Wangetti Trail will be the first track of its kind in a national park and a standout attraction for the Far North region.
“It’s great we can collaborate with the Djabugay Nations People on this unique cultural experience that will create stronger appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal culture.
“I’m pleased I could walk with Elders and leaders of the Djabugay Nation as we celebrate this important step forward.”
Quotes attributable to Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe:
“Wangetti Trail will turbo-charge Tropical North Queensland’s global reputation as a world-class mountain bike and nature-based lifestyle destination.
“Ecotourism is growing rapidly, although few overseas destinations will match Wangetti Trail for breath-taking scenery and immersive First Nations cultural experiences.
“I want to thank the Djabugay Nations’ Elders and Leaders for their partnership, because without them Wangetti Trail’s economic opportunities wouldn’t be possible.
“We’re committed to supporting Traditional Owners to tap into global demand for ecotourism and authentic First Nations visitor experiences to build long-term jobs.
“Wangetti Trail’s tourism potential is enormous.”
Quotes attributable to Djabugay Nation Applicant:
“The Wangetti Trail will provide business, education, training and employment opportunities for our people including pathways for our young people, our Elders and our community members working and celebrating Country,” they said.
“The Trail will showcase our ancient culture, stories, history, and our Country’s natural wonders to share with the world.
“By recognising the Trail’s significance to the Djabugay Nations’ people, it supports the process of healing.
“The Trail follows the ancient trail used by our Elders as traditional walking pathways throughout the Country to do business, connect and celebrate together.
“Every part along the Trail has a story that has been handed down through generations.
“We look forward to collaborating and developing long-term relationships and creating new opportunities for the future.
“We wish to acknowledge and thank everyone involved in the project from the beginning to this point, and growing the partnership with the Queensland Government, local Councils and other stakeholders.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Tourism Minister and Member for Cairns Michael Healy:
“Wangetti Trail will be a truly unique Tropical North Queensland cultural and tourism experience like nothing else in the State, or for that matter the world.
“The trail’s extraordinary rainforest and reef scenery will make this project a sought-after destination for mountain bike riders and international hikers alike.
“I want to thank the Traditional Owners for their partnership on Wangetti Trail, their involvement will add to the richness of this world-class visitor experience.”
Quotes attributable to Barron River MP Craig Crawford:
“Wangetti Trail will be a world-class new tourism product visitors will want to touch, feel, step into, and stay in the heart of our natural wonders.
“It’ll connect visitors to the songlines and ancient trails of the traditional owners.
“And it will be a boost to our local economy in Palm Cove and Port Douglas.”
