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| Kalamina Gorge |
The completion of new steel stairs and walkways will give visitors to Karijini National Park in the Pilbara in West Australia better access to the popular Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool.
WA Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the improved access was part of the National Government’s investment in high-quality tourism infrastructure in national parks.
“We are encouraging more people to experience the natural wonders in our diverse and beautiful national parks, with better facilities and easier access,” Jacob said.
“These new stairs and walkways provide a safer and user-friendly path to the bottom of the 100 metre deep Dales Gorge.
“This project has delivered a safer walk with stunning views for visitors, with platforms along the walk allowing tourists to stop and take in the beauty of the gorge walls and the falls.
“With the July school holidays approaching, I hope more people will take the opportunity to experience the beauty of this part of Karijini National Park.”
The Minister said the walk trail was made of raw steel for durability and to blend in with the iron-rich gorge walls. The stairs and walkways were designed and prefabricated by staff from the Department of Parks and Wildlife Perth Hills district and then assembled onsite.
The terrain presented its own challenges, with Perth crews and local Pilbara staff carrying in materials and using welders, grinders and other hot works at the gorge.
Dales Gorge camping area has bush toilets, picnic tables and gas barbecues. It is a large campground with several camping loops, a camp host facility, toilets and gas barbecues.
The State Government is also investing $21.05 million in the Parks for People Caravan and Camping initiative to create more camping and caravan sites in national parks and reserves.
Since 2013, the Government has created 337 new camping sites, with at least 450 to be built
