- $6.1 million facilities upgrade at The Gap and Natural Bridge
- Visitors to enjoy spectacular lookouts, walkway and picnic area
- Made possible by Royalties for Regions
The $6.1 million upgrade of facilities at The Gap and Natural Bridge in Torndirrup National Park, on the South Coast, today opened for the start of the April school holidays.
Environment Minister Albert Jacob and Regional Development Minister Terry Redman announced the opening of the spectacular new tourism facility, which had been funded by the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program and the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
“This much anticipated redevelopment features two universally accessible lookout structures, connecting paths, a picnic area, interpretive signage and a car park,” Mr Jacob said.
“Visitors can experience the dramatic coastline and spectacular scenery out to West Cape Howe from a grated see-through platform that rises almost 40 metres above the ocean and extends 10m out from the cliff face, of which four metres is directly above the ocean.
“I encourage locals and visitors to the Great Southern region to experience these world-class facilities – one of the best and safest ways to get immersed in the grandeur of the Southern Ocean.”
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said Royalties for Regions had contributed $5.1 million to the project.
“Tourism is vital to regional Western Australia’s economy. Visitors to the State spend $8.9 billion a year – $4 billion of that in the regions – and the industry employs about 94,000 people, many of those in regional areas,” he said.
“The Great Southern Development Commission also played a major role in securing funding for this project and I thank them for their input and commitment.”
Mr Redman said The Gap’s popularity as a major tourism drawcard for the Albany area would significantly increase and help cement The Gap and Natural Bridge as a must-see for tourists.
“These facilities join the Granite Skywalk in Porongurup National Park, the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk in Walpole-Nornalup National Park and the Wilderness View Lookout in Mount Frankland National Park in offering unique eco-tourism experiences for visitors and, in turn, supporting local communities,” he said.
Fact File
- The Gap and Natural Bridge receive more than 210,000 visits a year
- For more information, visit https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/torndirrup
