Plans revived for $83 million Blue Mountains Wildlife Park

Plans have been revived to build an $83 million wildlife park in the Blue Mountains across ten hectares of land in Wentworth Falls. The renewed interest in the Wildlife Park comes despite Blue Mountains City Council opposing the project claiming visitors want to see animals in the wild not in a "zoo".

The plans include a five-star hotel, enclosures for dingoes and penguins, a toboggan track, chairlift, a high ropes course, an animal hospital and walking tracks - among other features.

Aesthete No. 14 Pty Ltd submitted a request in January 2025 for Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) to the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure. The proposal for the Blue Mountains Wildlife Park, located at 10 Great Western Highway, Wentworth Falls advised the Park aimed to combine conservation, education, and recreation to create an unforgettable visitor experience while boosting the local economy.

Aesthete No. 14 Pty Ltd is described in the scoping report as being made up of 'experienced property developers' and 'high net worth individuals' that are connected to the Blue Mountains.

In favour of the project is President of Blue Mountains Tourism, Jason Cronshaw, who considers the development to not only offer a new attraction but also help address accommodation shortages.

Cronshaw told ABC "We just haven't got enough beds to meet current demand. The mountains need more attractions and more accommodation for visitors we've got now, as well as new visitors that'll be arriving with the growth of Western Sydney Airport."

While some tourism representatives support the idea, the ABC reports that Mayor of the Blue Mountains, Mark Greenhill, considers the project to be inappropriate for the region and notes "the whole thing is a bad idea, and should be rejected outright” adding that “visitors come to the Blue Mountains to see wilderness, and when they do see animals they're in the wild, where they should be.

"People come because of that brand - you can go to Taronga Zoo if you want to see a zoo."

Farshad Amirbeaggi, a lawyer and spokesperson for the company behind the proposal - Aesthete No. 14 Pty Ltd - rejected the project being described as a zoo.

Amirbeaggi advised "the offering includes a flora and fauna wildlife park... among many other offerings.

"It includes a hotel, but one that has interactive experiences with wildlife."

"It does offer a zip-line and a luge because not only are they joyful and bring a smile to the face, but they will travel through the flora and or over fauna and a skyline that is pretty spectacular.”

Amirbeaggi also described the educational benefits of the planned First Nations cultural centre, and wildlife hospital.

"What is proposed in a destination location is an offering we expect to be recognised not only across NSW, and Australia, but internationally," he said.

"Those abroad should plan their visit to Australia to include visiting the park."

The original proposal offerings of the Wildlife Park included:

• Visitor Hub: The main entrance building will serve as the hub, housing a ticketing area, café, and gift shop.

• Animal Exhibits: Native and exotic species will live in enclosures designed for welfare and habitat conservation. Aquatic exhibits will also be part of the park’s attractions.

• Conservation and Research Facilities: An animal hospital and rehabilitation clinic will focus on breeding programs, species protection, and wildlife research.

• Adventure and Recreation: Visitors can enjoy a high ropes course, zip-line, toboggan track, and scenic chairlift, offering breathtaking views of the Blue Mountains.

• Luxury Accommodation: A 5-star hotel with a restaurant and bar will encourage overnight stays, supporting longer visits to the park.

• Cultural Education: An Indigenous arts and education centre will celebrate the heritage of the Gundungurra and Darug peoples.

• Walking Trails: Trails with boardwalks, a suspension bridge, and viewing platforms will connect guests to the natural landscape.

• Sustainable Landscaping: Open spaces, wetlands, gardens, and pathways will enhance biodiversity and create a tranquil environment.

• Improved Access and Parking: An upgraded left-in/left-out driveway on the Great Western Highway will improve access. Internal roads and parking areas will accommodate private vehicles and buses.

The proposal listed a number of benefits for the community and environment including a reduction in visitor pressure on existing attractions within the Blue Mountains National Park by providing alternative experiences.

The project proposal also noted the sustainable design will focus on preserving the natural environment. Wetlands, gardens, and landscaped areas will protect biodiversity while enhancing the visitor experience. Walking trails and recreational areas will promote eco-friendly tourism and a deeper connection to nature.

Plans for a wildlife park at the site have been in the works for more than 35 years and have attracted significant community backlash.

The original approval for a development in 1989 sought to include crocodiles and became known locally as the 'croc park.'

The community has raised concerns over the decades about the development's potential environmental impacts.

Aside from some preliminary works in 1992, and clearing conducted in 2018, the property is mainly bushland.

The site also contains a long corridor of the Blue Mountains Swamps Endangered Ecological Community.

Mayor Greenhill noted "the environmental damage that will be done by the wildlife park on environmentally sensitive land is obvious and profound.”

An Environmental Impact Statement is currently being developed.