Construction has officially begun on the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk, with the NSW Government predicting the project will transform the Coffs Coast hinterland into one of the state’s premier nature tourism destinations.
The project forms part of a $56.4 million investment to redevelop the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and build the new multi-day walking experience through the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo and Bindarri National Parks.
The four-day, 46-kilometre walk will traverse Gumbaynggirr Country through the Gondwana Rainforests, featuring purpose-built campsites with bunk huts, tent platforms and communal shelters.
The NSW Government says the project is expected to create around 270 jobs across the Mid North Coast and significantly boost tourism in the Dorrigo region.
The redeveloped Rainforest Centre alone is projected to attract around 200,000 visitors annually once complete.
The announcement comes amid surging visitation to national parks across northern NSW, with 6.81 million visits recorded across North Coast national parks during 2024-25.
According to the NSW Government, national parks in north-east NSW contribute about $4.4 billion to the regional economy and support approximately 14,000 jobs.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the project would help connect more people with nature while supporting regional communities.
“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,” Ms Sharpe said.
“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.”
North Coast Minister Janelle Saffin said the investment would deliver long-term economic benefits across the region.
“This is a transformative investment for Dorrigo and the wider Mid North Coast,” Ms Saffin said.
“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.”
“The upgraded Rainforest Centre and the new Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk will strengthen Dorrigo’s reputation as a must-visit destination.”
National Parks and Wildlife Service Director North Coast Branch Russell Madeley said the project would offer visitors a rare chance to experience the rainforest from canopy to forest floor.
“The fantastic thing with the construction of the Skywalk here is that it’s very unique in Northern New South Wales, so you’re high up in the canopy,” Mr Madeley said.
“You’ve got the great opportunity to be amongst the birds, you can hear them singing, and at the same time, the redevelopment of the walk itself will enable people to actually go down onto the rainforest floor to experience the rainforest right down at that lowest level.”
“The opportunity here in Dorrigo is you actually see the full gamut of the rainforest from the very top of the canopy right the way down to the bottom as well.”
Mr Madeley said the project was already delivering jobs for the local community, with a local contractor employing 17 local workers during the early stages of construction.
“We’ve just started construction on the multi-day walk. We’ve engaged a local contractor here,” he said.
“The local contractor has employed 17 local people as well, so they’ve only been a couple of weeks into the project. They’re already making amazing progress.”
“The good news about this story, it really is providing opportunities for local people getting local employment. They’ll be here for months, and it’s great for the local economy as well.”
Design work on the new Rainforest Centre is continuing alongside community consultation, with planners aiming to minimise environmental impact while improving visitor access and educational experiences.
The centre will connect visitors to the existing Skywalk and surrounding rainforest through a redesigned arrival and interpretive experience.
The project is part of a broader NSW Government push to expand nature-based tourism as visitation to national parks reaches record highs across the state.
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