Excitement is building among nature lovers and mountain bike riders as the trails in the Conway National Park near Airlie Beach have reopened following $356,400 repair works.
The Department of Environment and Science (DES) had closed three shared trails for maintenance works over the last four to five months, while repairs were conducted to tracks damaged during the 2019 monsoonal rain event.
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said these works were funded through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, and local contractors Dirtscapes Outdoor Developments were engaged to complete the works.
"My department secured $356,400 in funding for these repairs, and provided jobs for up to 10 local contractors," Ms Scanlon said.
"Works were conducted on the Conway circuit, Wompoo Way and the track to Honeyeater lookout.
"Support for nature-based tourism and investing in infrastructure are key parts of Queensland's plan for economic recovery.
"I am pleased to announce the trails were opened this week, and mountain bike riders, runners and people who love walking along the tracks will be delighted with the quality of work.
"The works included re-instating and repairing drainage lines, resurfacing sections of lost topsoil and hardening of some areas, to help prevent future erosion.
"There are approximately 30 kilometres of tracks in the national park which are used by thousands of people each year.
"The tracks have varying degrees of difficulty, so there really is something for everyone in the national park, whether you're a mountain bike rider or simply love to walk and observe nature."
The Minister said the Conway Peninsula features the largest area of lowland tropical rainforest in Queensland outside tropical north Queensland.
"Conway National Park is absolutely stunning, with aged hoop pines, lush rainforest, magnificent beaches and rocky cliffs," she said.
"From high vantage points, people can see the mangrove forests, the Whitsunday passage and the beautiful Whitsunday Islands in the distance.
"Conway National Park is already extremely popular with locals and interstate visitors and these track repairs will support increased visitation, which will be great for the local economy."
Sharon Williams from Dirtscapes Outdoor Developments said the company is proud of the work they did in the Conway National Park.
"We are a local Airlie Beach business that specialises in remote, logistically challenging projects that includes construction of walking tracks and outdoor structures," Ms Williams said.
"On this project, we had five trail builders and a trainee on site. All are local Whitsunday residents and our trainee is currently completing a Certificate 3 in conservation and land management.
"We used three specialised trail-building excavators and three mini-dumpers, installed natural rock, decomposed granite and geohex erosion control.
"It was a pleasure to conduct these works in the Conway National Park, which is a beautiful part of Queensland.
"I'd like to thank the Department of Environment and Science and all involved in this project for securing the funding and using a local business."
Conway National Park trails:
- Conway Circuit – 27.1km of Grade 4 walking and easy to intermediate riding trail
- Kingfisher Walk – 300m of Grade 4 walking trail (accessible from Conway Circuit only)
- Wompoo Way – 7km return Grade 3 walking and intermediate riding trail
- Honeyeater Lookout – 8.2km return Grade 4 walking and difficult riding trail
Photos and videos are available at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pefsgi4pepewk4q/AACUAUZn7-kXR9W2LFiN4luba?dl=0
