Photo: parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/fitzgerald-river
Just imagine what $40 million could do for a national park? Well that’s the cash injection that Western Australia’s Fitzgerald River National Park has just had.
The state funding went towards sealing 82 kilometres of roads and redeveloping spur roads. It also included noticeable improvements to the camping grounds, signs, picnic areas, lookouts and car parks. In addition, a new coastal walk trail was built linking Hamersley Inlet to Point Ann.
And the revamp has not gone unnoticed. Since the improvement project began back in 2010, the number of visitors to the park have risen by more that 25%.
In 2009 – 2010 there were 37,789 visitors
In 2012 – 2013 there were 48,203 visitors
And between only July 1, 2013 and March 30, 2014 there were 48,957 visitors.
Ian Goldfinch, The Ravensthorpe Shire President, has branded Fitzgerald River National Park the jewel in the area’s crown. Located 600 kilometres southeast of Perth, the park has more than 2,000 species of flowers and 200 species of birds. Head to the coast and see not only sweeping coastal views, but also southern right whales. The landscape offers cliffs, beaches, mountains and river gorges.
"The stats say it all." Goldfinch said: “The new roads and facilities will serve the community and the state well into the future.”