BIYURRGUNG-Birrungan-Gumburr guluun-ngaarlu naan.gal (Gods Rainwater)/Dangar Falls upgrade was officially opened with the Dorrigo community and Gumbaynggirr Elders on Wednesday, 29 September.

The new main platform at the top of Dangar Falls provides increased capacity for around 30 people, with significantly better views of the Falls while being fully accessible, and a smaller plunge pool platform allows visitors a close-up experience of the waterfall.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

Indigenous elder Uncle Gary Williams opened the event with a Welcome to Country and spoke about the Gumbaynggirr name and importance of the Reserve.

Bellingen Shire Mayor Dominic King followed by recognising the work of Council and the community in bringing the project to fruition.

New interpretive signage features QR codes for smartphone and tablet users to access video content and audio files that capture the natural sights and sounds of the area and help visitors identify ways to reduce their environmental footprint.

“This is another significant step in our vision for expanding Accessible Nature-based Tourism in the Bellingen Shire region,” Mayor Dominic King told News Of The Area.

“Dangar Falls, which are set amidst scenic agricultural and dairy farmland, provide a truly unique experience for the 90,000 plus visitors they attract each year, and the upgrade works will enhance the experience locals and visitors alike can take in at one of the best views in our Shire as they stand on a curved, cantilevered platform which overhangs the cliff by an amazing three metres.”

The Dangar Falls Reserve Play Space has also received a funding boost of around $214,000 to refurbish and replace the existing dilapidated and dated play equipment to create a modern and engaging play space and destination for the hundreds of families with children that visit Dangar Falls every weekend.

“With the new viewing platform, the upgraded car park, playground and picnic area and 60 meters of new pathway, it makes for another great place for tourists to have a stopover.

“It brings people into the town of Dorrigo; they can get lunch, and seeing the waterfalls is always something special.

“It’s all part of our vision of putting Dorrigo on the tourism map; with the economic driver focussing right across the Shire being nature-based tourism.

“This is a gateway to our Shire’s Heritage Listed National Parks.

“It was really nice to do the official opening on Wednesday; community members are super happy with it.

“It was freezing up there for the launch, it’s nice to get rugged up and have a cup of tea and scone in Dorrigo afterwards.”

The project was made possible through the State Government Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund with the Dangar Falls project also seeing significant funding coming from Council’s Environmental Levy Fund.

By Andrea FERRARI