A four-day walking track featuring three suspension bridges over World Heritage-listed rainforest is set to put the New South Wales town of Dorrigo on the bucket list for ecotourists.
Bellingen Shire Council Mayor Steve Allan said the entire Mid North Coast region had been buzzing since the state government announced the $56.4-million investment.
It will include a 46-kilometre walking track, as well as walker's hut precincts, new camping areas, three suspension bridges and a new Arc Rainforest Centre.
"This is such a huge opportunity for Dorrigo and Bellingen Shire," Mr Allan said.
"It will not just create over 250 jobs, but will bring people from all over the world to visit our world class site.
Stepping back in time
National Parks and Wildlife Service Coffs Coast area manager Glenn Storrie said the project would be an opportunity for tourists to take a step back in time to the Jurassic period.
"Gondwana rainforest goes back to the time when we were part of this supercontinent," he said.
"We have living fossils that are part of this rainforest, massive trees, teeming waterfalls and so much wildlife.
A boost for ecotourism
NSW National Parks injects $18 billion into the state economy annually, with 75 per cent of that economic benefit generated from regional areas.
The state government hoped the project would attract an extra 200,000 domestic and international visitors to the region.
"We really wanted to create places where you can experience the rainforest, smell the cool mountain air and hear the birds," Mr Storrie said.
"It's vital for our mental wellbeing and we wanted to reflect that."
NSW Environment Minister James Griffin said the project was part of the largest ever capital investment program in the state's national parks.
"The rainforest at Dorrigo National Park is even more spectacular than the Daintree," he said.
The walk and new rainforest centre will also incorporate connection and education about the culture of the traditional custodians of the rainforests, the Gumbaynggirr people.
"This is about having people come to national parks as tourists, and leave as conservationists," Mr Griffin said.
