The NT Government will spend $12m to open up new adventure cycling tracks in the Red Centre.
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Lauren Moss, says in a media release the funding will create a new tourism asset called Red Centre Adventure Ride, to be developed “in close consultation with traditional owners and key stakeholders”.
It is scheduled for completion in two years’ time “to compete with other iconic mountain bike trails nationally and internationally.
“It will be more than 200 kilometres of pure outback adventure and build Central Australia’s global reputation for mountain-biking,” she says, linking the Alice Springs Desert Park to Glen Helen in the West MacDonnell National Park, “creating a unique trail adventure for riders of all skill levels.
“New purpose-built campgrounds will also be created to give riders the chance to sleep under the outback stars in the iconic West MacDonnell Ranges.”
The project will complement the popular Alice Springs mountain bike track network which is due for further expansion this year, with new trail work on the west side of Alice Springs connecting up to existing trails in the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Reserve.
Along with marketing and tourism infrastructure, the third major part of the $103m “Turbocharging Tourism” stimulus package will see almost $21 million over two-years invested to improve existing festivals, events and experiences to make them more memorable for visitors and locals.
Along with marketing and tourism infrastructure, the third major part of the Turbocharging Tourism stimulus package will see almost $21 million over two-years invested to improve existing festivals, events and experiences to make them more memorable for visitors and local.
I’m not a mountain biker, but I do like camping.
Given the social issues in Alice Springs at the moment, perhaps the $12m would be better spent making the tourists safer in town, rather than getting them them safely out of town!?
There are plenty of beautiful spots to ride and camp already. We don’t need them handed on a plate.
It is insulting to think the government thinks we are all that stupid, that by funding this will somehow make us all forget the core issues it has created.
Surprised: Yes! that’s how they roll, they don’t want to address the real issues of town.