Queensland’s Palaszczuk Government has given the green light to the development of a series of eco-tourism cabins or lodges managed by Spicers Retreats which will feature on a 55-kilometre walk through the state’s south-east rim.
Prototypes of the cabins to be installed were inspected recently by Queensland Tourism Minister, Kate Jones, which will soon be built at approved locations across the track. Once built, the cabins will link up existing walking tracks and provide lodging facilities and improvements to public camping and hiking facilities.
The Spicers Scenic Rim Trail will run from Mt Mistake to Spicers Peak Nature Reserve. Construction of the track and cabins will begin soon, with the first walkers expected to be able to take to the track by the end of 2019. The track will take guests past and through sub-tropical rainforests, mountainous heathlands and eucalyptus forests.
An investment of $10 million has been provided by the Turner Family, which includes Spicers Retreats founder Jude Turner. The family owns a number of eco-tourism enterprises in the Scenic Rim region.
Minister Jones praised the initiative, saying the walk was a great example of how private enterprise and the Queensland Government can work together to share the state’s natural beauty.
“Ecotourism just makes sense for Queensland. That’s why we’re working with tourism operators to deliver projects that will create jobs and pump millions of dollars into our economy.
“We also know that projects like this will have a positive impact on our environment in the long-term,” the Minister added.
“I felt that Queensland deserved to be represented in the Great Walks of Australia collection with an experience that could rival guided walks in other parts of Australia and New Zealand. The Spicers Scenic Rim Trail will do just that,” Jude Turner added.