Wangetti Trail officially opens in Far North Queensland
Dappled beams of bright morning light burst through the shade of an old jackfruit tree as dignitaries gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the formal opening of the first stage of the Wangetti Trail in Palm Cove on Monday morning.
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Dappled beams of bright morning light burst through the shade of an old jackfruit tree as dignitaries gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the formal opening of the first stage of the Wangetti Trail in Palm Cove on Monday morning.
Smoke billowed from gum leaves burning inside a steel bowl Traditional Owner Astro Brim had prepared earlier, joining First Nations performers in ancient song to signify a formal Welcome to Country.
As the sweet smoke ascended, deep vibrations from Gaban Hobbler’s didgeridoo were accompanied by clapsticks beating in unison.
“We’d like to share our stories with the whole world so they can see that we’ve got something very unique here,” Djabugay Nation Applicant’s Richard Bing said.
The value in sharing thousands of years of Indigenous knowledge inside the mountainous rainforest, home to ceremonial meeting places, now has a modern significance with Traditional Owners to play an increasing role in the region’s $1bn tourism industry.
“It’s very important to us Traditional Owners to share that connection,” Mr Bing said.
“We want to be here working … to make sure that it generates something for our next generation.”
Gathered around were more than 200 onlookers, eagerly lacing and relacing their hiking boots, then nervously fidgeting with their smart watches as they waited to be among the first to tread across the virgin trail.
Mountain bikers keenly flicked through their gears, checked their backpacks for water, liberally reapplying yet another layer of SPF50+ before venturing under the broken canopy, ready to explore the wonder of the Wet Tropics.
When Mercy Singleton’s golden scissors sliced through the burgundy lace a loud cheer broke out, marking a major milestone in the long-awaited $47m project’s protracted journey.
The almost 8km stretch of what will eventually become a 94km dual-use track connecting Cairns’ northern beaches to Port Douglas will become a global attraction, envied by all, Tourism Minister Michael Healy said.
“If you Google the top 10 walking and mountain bike paths in the world, we are not listed anywhere in the country,” Mr Healy said.
“Australia has nothing there. It took 14 years for Tasmania to build theirs (the Three Capes Track). It’s taken us a little bit less and our goal is by 2026 to have it completed.
“We want to be in the top 10 list of trails in the world when this thing’s done.”
The current passage from Palm Cove to Ellis Beach was well received by primary school student Sasha Edney who said he was excited to ride the dirt track alongside his younger brother, Leon.
“Quite a bit,” the eloquent 11-year-old said clutching the handlebars of his red bike.
“I’ve always wanted a mountain bike trail because I’ve simply never had any. Now I can see birds and plants and things like that.”
Mum Stephanie Edney said she and her three children would be prioritising green time over screen time while traversing the track.
“It’s just so nice to have this close by,” she said.
“We often go for a drive up the coast anyway, so knowing that it’s now accessible via bike or to walk is just awesome.
“We love the mountain bike trails in Smithfield but this is so close to us. It’s just lovely.”
Currently, trail users must park in a vacant lot located nearby but Mr Healy said that would change in the near future.
“I think that (Cairns Regional) Council will have to be involved in that,” he said.
“They have raised a couple of points with us but we’re waiting for a detailed document from the council before we move forward.”
First announced in 2018, the Wangetti Trail was originally slated to be completed in early 2022 at a cost of around $21m.
Since then, costs have ballooned but with the hiking and mountain bike path now earmarked for a 2026 end date.
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Originally published as Wangetti Trail officially opens in Far North Queensland
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