$165 Million Will be Invested Into Outdoor Adventure in Western Australia

Getting outdoors in Western Australia will soon be easier with the State Government’s pledge to deliver more than $165 million to upgrade boating, camping, trail, and tourist facilities across the state.

The Outdoor Adventure Tourism Package plans to increase local visitation and get more people outdoors. Funded through the 2024-25 State Budget, the money supports local regional businesses and economies to develop and diversify.

Premier Roger Cook says, ‘WA has the best coastline, national parks, and natural attractions in the country, and we want every Western Australian to enjoy what our outdoors has to offer’.

Sealions off the Western Australian Coast | Photo by Lisa Ikin

What does the Outdoor Adventure Tourism Package offer?

The package totals $165 million to upgrade adventure attractions across Western Australia, and includes the following:

An $82.4 million investment for maritime and boating including:

• $17.5 million to extend the northern breakwater at Jurien Bay Boat Harbour
• $9.1 million towards the Woodman Point Ammo Jetty replacement
• $6.5 million towards stage two of the Onslow Marina Community Boating Precinct
• $4.25 million towards a new jetty at Albany Waterfront Marina and at the Little Grove Boat Ramp in Albany
• $4 million towards the Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project which will see a new fishing platform built

$45.8 million towards trails and other recreational facilities including:

• $8 million for the Pemberton trail masterplan;
• $8 million for the Peel regional trails;
• $3.5 million for the Kwinana loop trail;
• $3 million for stages 1-3 of the Kalamunda Circuit Trail
• $2.5 million towards the Red Gorge hike and cycle trail at Karijini

It also includes $17.5 million to complete the South West’s iconic Wadandi Track. The walk and bike trail will be extended to nearly 110km, making it one of the longest trails in Australia.

$17.1 million towards Western Australian Campgrounds for upgrades and the development of new campsites around regional WA and in Perth including:

• $2.25 million for a new 45-site campground at Yanchep National Park
• $1.5 million for four coastal campsites at D’Entrecasteaux National Park
• $1.5 million for a new 25-site campground at Kangaroo Point near Cervantes
• $1 million to upgrade the Kurrajong and Walardi campgrounds at Purnululu National Park
• $1 million to upgrade the Saint Mary’s Inlet campground in the Fitzgerald River National Park

Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti say, ‘By improving and investing in these facilities and sites, we’re ensuring Western Australia remains a world-class tourism destination of choice for travellers, particularly in our regions’.

In addition to this enormous allocation of money, new funding will be put towards other tourism attractions including the Abrolhos Islands, Kalbarri foreshore, and the Pemberton area forests.

Albany, Western Australia

Feature image by @fungshuay