Queensland’s Binna Burra Road reopening aims to reboot local tourism

Having been closed since bushfires swept across the Gold Coast hinterland in September 2019, Binna Burra Road reopens today - marking an important recovery milestone for the community and local tourism.

The reopening of Binna Burra Road not only supports the reopening of Binna Burra’s Sky Lodges and its continued reconstruction, but also paves the way for visitors to return to Lamington National Park.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud notes “the bushfires caused severe damage to the road and throughout the World Heritage-listed Binna Burra rainforest reserve, including the Binna Burra Lodge.

Binna Burra Lodge, founded in 1933 by Arthur Groom and Romeo Lahey, sits within the sub-tropical rainforest of Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

The lodge was the first Australian property to attain the internationally-recognised Green Globe Certification for its best practice environmental performance, and was listed in the top 10 Eco-Lodges and Green Hotels in the World.

Minister Littleproud adds “while the impact of the fires has been heartbreaking, the road reopening is cause for optimism.

“Significant work has been done to ensure the road is safe. Our number one priority remains ensuring the safety of the community and all involved in the recovery efforts.

“Australia was ravaged by the bushfires, it has devastated our community and our landscape. Reopening the road will play an important part in rebooting the local economy as it recovers from the double hit of bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Australian and Queensland Governments have jointly funded this estimated $35 million project through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the project to repair severe slope damage along Binna Burra Road had been complex due to the steep terrain.

"This meant works to stabilise the slopes required expert personnel trained in rope access construction and specialist geotechnical equipment to be abseiled down the cliff face.

"With the road to be reopened under traffic control on 31st August, final works are expected to continue until October 2020, weather and site conditions permitting.

“In addition, with Binna Burra Road reopening, the majority of rainforest trails in the Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park will again be available for walkers, with their restoration funded under a $1 million Tourism Recovery Fund initiative under the DRFA.

“Binna Burra had also been the beneficiary of other support to help with recovery including $1.775 million in joint Australian and Queensland Government DRFA funding.

“This funding is to help with clean-up operations, tree clearing, demolition of the old sky lodges and cabins, a revision of the master plan and development of a Reconciliation Action Plan.”

Minister Dick added that to encourage tourism to the region - particularly important while QLD navigates through the COVID-19 pandemic - the State Government has also provided $1.67 million development of a Via Ferrata, Australia’s first permanent cliff climbing and adventure course attraction, at Binna Burra.

The ‘Via Ferrata’ cliff climbing course will allow visitors to safely scale cliff faces usually only accessible to experienced rock climbers through a system of iron steps fixed into a rock face supported by a safety cable.

Construction and installation of the course will include climbing structures; bridges and viewing platforms; reception, training administration and equipment kiosk; access tracks; and car parks.

Expected to be completed by October 2021, Via Ferrata will be another welcome addition to this Queensland tourism attraction.

For more information on the Binna Burra Road reconstruction go to https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/binna-burra-road-reconstruction-works

For more information on Binna Burra Lodge go to www.binnaburralodge.com.au

Image top: Binna Burra Road progress May 2020 and image above following 2019 bushfires