One of Queensland's most popular outback national parks will reopen on 4 July 2025, in a major boost for the local tourism industry.
Boodjamulla National Park (Aboriginal Land) was closed following the impacts of an unprecedented flood event in March 2023.
The Boodjamulla Cooperative Management Council (CMC), comprising the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) and the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, has been working hard to re-open the national park.
Principal Ranger Marnie Augusteyn said the Queensland Government had invested almost $13 million to reopen the national park, and the tourism industry is thrilled.
"The funding includes an investment of $6.7 million for repairs and the construction of new visitor infrastructure within the Lawn Hill Gorge section," Ms Augusteyn said.
"We're also investing $6.1 million for reconstruction work on water treatment, sewage management, power supply and flood resilience work into our ranger residences."
Michael Miller CEO Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation said he was on Country recently to inspect the progress.
"To assist with the staged reopening, Waanyi Elder Everyl Johnny will be based at Boodjamulla gorge to personally welcome visitors on behalf of all Waanyi people to the national park," Mr Miller said.
"She will provide inductions to visitors, giving insight into Waanyi culture and the impacts of the flooding.
"On behalf of the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, we welcome visitors back to the national park.
"This is our backyard, and please treat it with the same respect that you would your own backyard.
"Please pay attention to restricted access areas for your own safety and pay respect to our culture."
CEO Tourism Tropical North Queensland Mark Olsen said the Lawn Hill Gorge section of Boodjamulla National Park is an iconic location.
"Reopening Boodjamulla National Park for winter will provide a much needed boost to the northwest and the communities along the Savannah Way that have faced difficult times over past three years," Mr Olsen said.
"Our great thanks and appreciation to the Waanyi Native Title Corporation, the DETSI team and the QPWS team onsite that have made this possible, it is a huge boost for the region."
In June 2023, the national park was returned to the Waanyi People. Now dedicated as Boodjamulla National Park (Aboriginal Land), it is the first of its tenure class in Queensland.
