Construction has officially commenced on the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk project in New South Wales, marking a major investment aimed at boosting tourism across the Coffs Coast and Mid North Coast regions. The NSW Government has committed $56.4 million toward redeveloping the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and developing a new multi-day walking experience through the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park.
The project is expected to transform Dorrigo into a leading nature-based tourism destination while creating significant economic opportunities for regional communities. Authorities estimate the initiative will generate around 270 local jobs and attract approximately 200,000 visitors annually once completed. The broader North Coast national parks network already contributes billions of dollars to the regional economy each year through tourism and outdoor recreation activities.
At the heart of the development is the new Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk, a 46-kilometre four-day hiking trail that will pass through Dorrigo and Bindarri national parks on Gumbaynggirr Country. The trail will showcase the region’s ancient Gondwana rainforests, waterfalls, escarpment views, and biodiversity while also highlighting the cultural heritage of the Gumbaynggirr people. The walk will feature purpose-built hiker camps, tent platforms, communal shelters, pedestrian bridges, and scenic lookouts designed to enhance visitor experiences while minimizing environmental impact.
The redevelopment also includes plans for a modern Arc Rainforest Centre, which will replace the existing visitor facility with a low-profile, environmentally sensitive structure integrated into the surrounding rainforest landscape. The centre will feature elevated walkways and educational experiences aimed at improving accessibility and deepening public understanding of the region’s ecological and cultural significance.
Government officials emphasized that the project is designed to balance tourism growth with environmental conservation and cultural preservation. Extensive consultation, environmental assessments, and community feedback processes have been undertaken to ensure the development protects World Heritage values, threatened species, and Aboriginal cultural heritage while supporting sustainable tourism expansion.
The Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk forms part of a broader strategy by the NSW Government to expand nature-based tourism across regional areas. Similar multi-day walking projects, including the Snowies Alpine Walk, have demonstrated the growing popularity of outdoor adventure tourism and its economic benefits for local communities. Officials expect the Dorrigo project to strengthen the region’s reputation as one of Australia’s premier eco-tourism destinations over the coming years.
