It was a Historic day for the Far North as the Wangetti Trail Stage 1 opened!
Hikers, mountain bike riders and outdoor adventurers are experiencing the Wangetti Trail for the first time after the historic official opening of stage one.
The 7.8km section through lush, shady rainforest from Palm Cove Jetty to Ellis Beach traverses bushland and coastal scenery with towering trees, vibrant flora and wildlife with breathtaking panoramic views south to Double Island and north to Port Douglas.
Helicopters have delivered concrete to various sections along the trail for the 17 bridges and water crossings in this first section, while over 200 community members have planted more than 2500 native plants.
Traditional Owners have been heavily involved, with up to 12 Caring for Country Officers employed directly for the protection of cultural heritage during construction.
For those planning to walk the trail, the first stage is rated as Grade 3 – suitable for most ages and fitness levels, with a few sharp turns and steep narrow sections.
A one-way journey will take roughly three hours for hikers and 45 minutes for mountain bike riders, with hikers having right of way on the two-way, shared track.
There is no water along the trail, anyone choosing to walk the track is encouraged to bring sufficient water, recommended three litres, if travelling one-way, and they should arrange a pick-up or transport at the other end unless embarking on the challenging return trip, which also means taking a recommended six litres of water.
There will be trailhead markers and signage along the way to provide information on viewing and rest areas, as well as local wildlife.
The Miles Labor Government is delivering the $47.1 million Wangetti Trail, which includes an investment of $8 million from the Australian Government’s National Tourism Icons Program.
Trail builders will soon be back to work on Stage 2, which stretches a further 25km to Wangetti, crossing the Macalister Range National Park and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, featuring a public camping site. This second section is undergoing an alignment review following the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, with design and approval to progress through 2024 and construction to start in early 2025 and take 12-18 months.
After that, the 54km Wangetti North section will be built from Wangetti to Mowbray River, followed by the final 7km stretch from Mowbray North to Port Douglas.
The full 94km trail is currently on track to be completed in 2026.
For more information on the Wangetti Trail visit https://parks.desi.qld.gov.au/parks/wangetti-trail/about
