Mixed response to announcement of new Wangetti Trail works
Shire tourism
Far North-based track designers World Trail Company and Contour Works are set to start building the next section of the multimillion-dollar Wangetti Trail between Ellis Beach and Wangetti, but the announcement has brought a mixed reaction from online readers.
The newest part of the 94km-long walking and mountain-biking track will mainly run along the range side of Captain Cook Highway, with parts overlooking the road.
The section will include about 22km of trails, and also feature bridges, boardwalks and campgrounds.
The Wangetti Trail Palm Cove-Port Douglas Facebook page celebrated the announcement, posting a flyover graphic showing where the trail is set to go.
But comments on the post from readers were mixed.
“At this rate we will be able to walk to Port Douglas before the road’s finished,” Nate Staffy said.
Grahame Magarry: “Finally, a great outcome after the fiasco of the first stage. Hopefully it will be reasonably bike friendly.”
Luke Robert Chapman: “Just in time for the wet season to wash it all away again.”
The most recent budget set another $31m aside for the walking and biking trail, pushing the price tag well beyond $50m.
The State Government is aiming to complete the entire trail from Palm Cove to Port Douglas by 2028.