The Northern Territory has some spectacular scenery. Photo: File.
The Northern Territory Government is making tourism more accessible in Territory parks, showcasing it as an inclusive and accessible destination for all visitors.
A tender has been released to improve disability access for the lower plunge pool at Edith Falls, to supply and install a hoist to provide visitors in wheelchairs safe access into the plunge pool.
The hoist will be designed to fit in with the natural landscape and will be fitted with a mechanism so the person in the wheelchair can operate it in a safe manner.
The existing pathway will also be extended to allow better access to the plunge pool.
Edith Falls in Nitmiluk National Park is located 60 km northeast of Katherine and boasts one of the most popular destinations in the Territory with about 120,000 visitors annually.
Other infrastructure upgrades delivered to Nitmiluk National Park include:
- More than 20km of shared walking and mountain bike trails
- A new jetty to enable ramp access and for Nitmiluk Tours to run for longer during the Wet Season
- Upgrades to the first gorge crossover on the Wet Season path
- A new Katherine River crossing and upgraded 17 Mile Valley track to support Nitmiluk Tours’ Biddlecombe Cascades glamping experience, which will mean earlier access after the Wet Season
- Refurbishment of the 20-year-old Nitmiluk Visitor Centre to update the building with new facilities including a kitchen, bathroom, decking, interpretive displays and landscaping
- A new car-park to support the Cultural Touring site.
The project is aligned with the NT Parks Masterplan 2023-53, which commits to improving accessibility and safety for all park users, particularly for parks and reserves located near urban centres, taking into account all age ranges, needs and abilities by ensuring parks and reserves have comprehensive accessibility and safety audit reports.
There are many parks and reserves across the Territory that already enable disability access, including pathways, viewing platforms, amenity blocks and associated infrastructure.
Litchfield National Park has paths and viewing platforms at Tolmer Falls, and recently upgraded toilet facilities at Shady Camp in the very popular Mary River National Park have been constructed to ensure increased accessibility opportunities.
The Labor government has invested $70 million in Territory parks since coming to government in 2016 to deliver first-class tourism experiences in our parks.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Joel Bowden said the initiatives would help ensure tourist attractions were accessible to all regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age.
“We want to showcase the Territory as an inclusive and accessible destination to all visitors,” he said.
Minister for Parks and Rangers and Member for Arnhem Selena Uibo said attractions, experiences and facilities had successfully grown and improved in Nitmuluk National Park.
“It continues to be one of the most popular destinations for tourists and Territorians alike,” she said.
“I am so pleased to see the delivery of this project. Our Lawler Government will always support accessibility in our parks for all.”
