VISITOR ECONOMY & LIVEABILITY
PALUMA TO WALLAMAN TRAIL TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Development of new tourism infrastructure that aligns to the demands of visitors and delivers authentic and immersive cultural experiences provides a unique opportunity for tourism growth.
STATUS: Business case for the Paluma to Wallaman Trail has been completed. State Government committed $2 million to progress early works.
Eco based adventure travel as well as cultural tourism have been identified as the largest growth opportunity markets for the future visitor economy. Queensland’s runway towards the 2032 Olympics provides an ideal opportunity to develop refreshed tourism experiences that supports visitor dispersal into regions like Townsville North Queensland. The proposed Paluma to Wallaman Falls Trail follows an ancient First Nation’s trading line, a language line and a song line. History is written in its awe-inspiring landscapes providing a flowing narrative for visitors to discover, to be challenged and to feel exhilarated. The Paluma to Wallaman Trail is a spiritual journey 60,000 years in the making and will provide a unique opportunity for the First Nations People to share the extraordinary stories of this country in a way that respects, retains and improves the values. The trail is proposed to be a mixed-use trail. Once completed, the trail would be 127km long (8 days/7 nights) and will link the Paluma Rainforest and Wallaman Falls – Australia’s largest sheer drop waterfall. The completed trail would require approximately 80km of new trails and eco-accommodation and camping at approximately 11-15kms apart.
BUSINESS CASE: The recently completed business case indicates that the ability to offer a series of shorter trails along with the full multiday experience, as well as a range of accommodation options, will provide additional appeal to a broader market enhancing the overall success of the trail. The trail covers three Local Government Areas of Townsville, Charters Towers and Hinchinbrook – and would provide activation and economic benefit into each.
$81.5M OVER 10 YEARS
The business case for the trail indicates that the project yields a Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.0 and estimates total users of the trail would increase from 9,000 in the first year to 25,883 by year 10.
178.6 FTE
WHAT WE NEED
DURING CONSTRUCTION
16.1 FTE ONGOING JOBS
46.9 million from State or Federal Government for project $ planning, management, and development (staged as per business plan), inclusive of a Traditional Owner training and employment program.
2023 STATE AND FEDERAL BUDGET SUBMISSION
41
