Seaplane flights to increase tourist access to World Heritage Area and national parks

THE Government has granted exclusive landing rights to a seaplane operator to land in some of the state’s most beautiful wilderness spots.

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TOURISTS will have greater access to Tasmania’s World Heritage Area and national parks after the State Government announced it had granted exclusive landing rights to a seaplane operator.

Tasmanian Air Adventures has been granted licences to land its seaplanes at some of the state’s most beautiful wilderness spots, including Lake St Clair, Southwest National Park, Lake Pedder and Recherche Bay.

Environment, Parks and Heritage Minister Matthew Groom announced the new licences yesterday.

“Our objective as a government, by opening up these areas for additional tourism capability, is to make Tasmania the environmental tourism capital of the world,” Mr Groom said.

“Tasmania already offers world-class tourism experiences but we believe there is further potential in our national parks and World Heritage Area.”

The move to allow seaplane access to the southern end of Lake St Clair is a shot in the arm for developer Simon Currant, whose five-star Pump House Point project is due to open early next year.

Mr Currant yesterday said a seaplane service was always part of a broader plan to help with the management of tourists and goods to the region.

“It is an important part of the access for us,” he said.

Mr Currant, who has worked on the Pump House Point project for more than 18 years, said seaplane access offered a unique tourism opportunity.

“Being able to offer travel from the Henry Jones Art Hotel on the Hobart waterfront and be in an incredible natural environment, within the World Heritage Area, in 50 minutes is a great thing,” he said.

Tasmanian Air Adventures will offer flights into various remote destinations – including the Celery Top Islands, Forest Lagoon, Schooner Cove, Bramble Cove, Lake Pedder, Recherche Bay and Hazards Beach within Freycinet National Park.

Sales manager Will Barbour said the company had been flying into remote parts of Tasmania’s World Heritage Area for the past two years under a trial basis.

“We see the announcement as a vote of confidence on behalf of the Government of our responsible operations,” Mr Barbour said.