Government-run tourist attraction Window on the Wetlands to be closed indefinitely from New Year’s Day
TOP End tourist attraction Window on the Wetlands will close indefinitely, the NT government has confirmed.
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TOP End tourist attraction Window on the Wetlands (WOW) will close indefinitely on Friday, the NT government has confirmed.
A Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security spokesman confirmed the government-run facility, which is located on one of the highest points of the Adelaide River flood plains, will be closed indefinitely from Friday.
The spokesman said the facility’s cost, age and declining visitor numbers were factors in the closure.
“Visitation to WOW continues to decline, and tourism operators have been notified about the closure,” he said.
“The site is ageing, and it is mostly used as a toilet stop for coach tours accessing Kakadu National Park.”
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The NT News understands the looming closure of Window on the Wetlands has been little-publicised.
The only public notification of the decision was mentioned in the last line of a December 18 government media release about school holiday activities at NT parks and reserves.
The spokesman said the government was in talks with private parties interested in taking over the facility, but no agreement had yet been reached.
“While private investment options are fully developed and considered, the centre is required to close to meet savings targets,” he said.
“It is hoped that a partnership with a private sector investor will be established in 2021, paving the way for the centre’s reopening.”
Opposition deputy leader Gerard Maley said the government’s decision to close the attraction demonstrated a lack of vision.
“Closing Window on the Wetlands is shortsighted and is a blow to tourism operators and locals alike, particularly in a year when “drive” tourism will be extremely high due to COVID,” he said.
“Unlike other tourism opportunities that may be closed in the wet season or inaccessible, (the facility) is only 60km from Darwin and serves as an attraction and waypoint for visitors to Djukbinj National Park, Humpty Doo and Marrakai.
“As a result, the closing of Window on the Wetlands will likely mean less visitors to those areas.”
Window on the Wetlands, which was built in 1994, offers 270 degree views over wetlands on the Adelaide River flood plains, interactive displays on their ecosystems, and detailed information on wildlife and local Aboriginal and European history.
According to the government, each year it costs more than $300,000 to run and attracts about 30,000 visitors.
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The government invited expressions of interest from private parties for the facility in February this year, but the process was unsuccessful.
A new airconditioning system was installed at the centre earlier this year.
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