Cyclone-affected FNQ national parks reopen in time for Easter holidays

Tropical Cyclone Jasper caused widespread destruction to dozens of protected areas across the Far North but after months of work 130 parks across FNQ have reopened ahead of the Easter holidays.

Family jumping into Lake Eacham from the jetty. Photo: TNQ

More than 130 cyclone-impacted national parks across Far North Queensland have reopened ahead of the busy Easter holidays.

Tropical Cyclone Jasper caused widespread destruction to protected areas across the Far north including large landslips, fallen trees and damaged visitor infrastructure such as roads, railings and walking tracks.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers have been working with Aboriginal corporations, community members and contractors to carry out the mammoth task of cleaning up and repairing damage to the environmentally, culturally and economically significant areas.

Over the past three months, rangers have overseen substantial engineering and safety inspections, resulting in significant repair works to park infrastructure, including walking tracks, boardwalks and lookouts as well as removing hundreds of tonnes of flood mud and debris to ensure these areas safe and enjoyable for visitors. Photo: Supplied

Senior ranger Jodie Cross said crews have been working every day to repair impacted areas through stifling heat and think rainforest.

“We hope that our efforts will encourage tourists to visit these places and support the surrounding communities and businesses, as we all work to recover from Cyclone Jasper.”

Over the past three months, rangers have overseen substantial engineering and safety inspections, resulting in significant repair works to park infrastructure, including walking tracks, boardwalks and lookouts as well as removing hundreds of tonnes of flood mud and debris to ensure these areas safe and enjoyable for visitors.

Senior ranger Jodie Cross said crews have been working every day to repair impacted areas through stifling heat and think rainforest. Photo: Supplied

“The Easter long weekend is a very popular time for locals and visitors to the Far North to explore and experience some of the amazing national parks we have in what is a beautiful part of the world,” Environement Minister Leanne Linard said.

Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls Day Tour from Cairns. Photo: Brad Newton

“Our hardworking rangers deserve a hearty pat-on-the-back for all the work they have done to identify damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper and then make repairs.”

Of the 146 protected areas that were impacted by Cyclone Jasper, only six remote parks remain completely closed.

Some areas, including Daintree National Park, remain temporarily restricted or closed in sections while works are finalised. Works to the Kulki boardwalk and Dubuji pedestrian bridges in Daintree National Park are scheduled to be completed next week in time for the Easter long weekend.

Gadgarra National Park. Photo: Katie Purling

This will include construction of a temporary viewing point on the Kulki boardwalk while the existing lookout, that was completely destroyed during the cyclone, is replaced.

Over the past three months, rangers have overseen substantial engineering and safety inspections, resulting in significant repair works to park infrastructure, including walking tracks, boardwalks and lookouts as well as removing hundreds of tonnes of flood mud and debris to ensure these areas safe and enjoyable for visitors. Photo: Supplied

“National parks are a major drawcard for tourism over the Easter break, with thousands of tourists expected to visit Far North Queensland to explore this beautiful part of the world,” Barron River MP Craig Crawford said.

“The reopening of these internationally-recognised national parks plays a key role in supporting the overall recovery of cyclone-affected communities.

Originally published as Cyclone-affected FNQ national parks reopen in time for Easter holidays