Wangetti Trail set to open up Macalister Range National Park

For the first time adventure trail users will have access to a little known and hidden national park providing a wet tropics haven high in the mountains for threatened bird life.

Construction on the $47m Wangetti Trail officially begun in July 2023 Picture: Brendan Radke

For the first time adventure trail users will have access to a little known and hidden national park providing a wet tropics haven high in the mountains for threatened bird life.

The rugged and forested mountain range running parallel to the Captain Cook Highway will soon be opened up to visitors when the long-awaited Wangetti Trail is completed later this year.

Lack of any vehicle or track access into the 5563-hectare Macalister Range National Park has meant postcard worthy views of the Coral Sea and a biodiversity hotspot has thrived in isolation.

View from the top of the Macalister Range overlooking Rifle Range and the Coral Sea. Picture: Supplied

But that’s expected to change by the pushing through of a multi-use 94km trail from Palm Cove to Port Douglas traversing a gazetted Wet Tropics World Heritage Area that’s home to the endangered southern cassowary and Macleay’s double-eyed fig-parrot as well as rufous boobook and the grey goshawk, which is listed as endangered species in Tasmania.

The first 33km stage of the trail from Palm Cove to Wangetti is under construction.

Tourism Minister Michael Healy said access into the previously unseen section of the national park would make the experience for visitors even more special.

The recently discovered section of Macalister Range National Park is home to the rufous owl. Picture: Faunagraphic Wildlife

The Macalister Range National Park is home to the grey goshawk. Picture: Queensland Museum

“This unprecedented access will allow people to experience the hidden natural wonders of Tropical North Queensland and inspire them to care for our environment,” he said.

Plagued by delays caused by complicated Indigenous land Use Agreements and claims of departmental infighting, construction of the trail, more than five years after inception began late last year.

In November 2023 the Queensland Government has signed a historic land use agreement with the Djabugay Nations traditional owners to allow for the continuation of works on the Wangetti Trail hiking and cycling track, from Palm Cove to the Mowbray River. Former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with members of the Djabugay Nations, which include the Djabugay, Yirrganydji, Buluwai, Nyakali and Guluy people. Picture: Brendan Radke

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service senior ranger Jodie Cross said a broad terrain spectrum within the park ranged from open woodland to rainforest and vine thickets which encompassed 38 regional ecosystems.

“And the majority have significant biodiversity status which is important from a conversation perspective,” she said.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife officer Jodie Cross overlooking the Macalister Range National Park. Picture: Supplied

Barron River MP Craig Crawford said groundwork for most of the 7.8km track linking the Palm Cove Jetty to Ellis Beach foreshore had been completed.

“Latest reports show about 4.7km of trail is cut and awaiting final treatment,’’ Mr Crawford said.

The first stage of the trial from Palm Cove to Ellis Beach will be operational by the third quarter of 2024 and the full trail is scheduled for completion around late 2026 at a cost of $48m, eight years after the project was conceived in 2018.

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Originally published as Wangetti Trail set to open up Macalister Range National Park