The newest tourist attraction and recreation space in Glen Innes was officially opened yesterday with special guests and community taking the high ground as the $2 million Centennial Parklands Skywalk opened for visitors wanting to enjoy a new perspective on the town.
The Glen Innes Highlands Skywalk will showcase Celtic and Ngarabul connections and culture. The $2 million project is funded by the NSW Government as part of the Public Spaces Legacy Program. It includes the master concept plan to improve utilisation and attraction of the Centennial Parklands with each of the three viewing points having their own stories to tell, sharing voices from local Traditional Custodians, astronomers, geologists and historians.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall joined Glen Innes Severn Council Mayor Rob Banham to officially open the new attraction which brings a new level to the world-renowned Australian Standing Stones precinct.
“We all certainly had our heads in the clouds this morning for the opening of the Skywalk and it is a fantastic way to enjoy a new perspective on Glen Innes,” Mr Marshall said.
“The council have not only created a boardwalk, but also signage that gives an opportunity for people visiting to learn more about the Ngoorabul first people and the Celtic explorers and settlers who followed.”
The Centennial Parkland Skywalk can be accessed by car via Watson’s Road, or reached on foot from the Australian Standing Stones array which stand below the lookout.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the NSW Government is committed to providing high quality public open space to further enhance communities like Glen Innes into places people love to live.
“I’m sure the Glen Innes Highlands Skywalk project will be a big drawcard for tourists and the local community alike who will come together to experience this unique attraction,” Mr Scully said.
Peter Primrose MLC said the parklands new 80-metre long board-walk will provide visitors with spectacular views of the surrounding Glen Innes rural landscape and township.
Glen Innes Severn Council Mayor Rob Banham said the Skywalk stands as a testament to Council’s commitment to fostering a vibrant visitor economy, providing a thrilling adventure for visitors and residents alike who seek to explore the beauty, culture and history of the region.
“This attraction promises to elevate the visitor experience, offering a unique perspective of the lush surroundings and an opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich tapestry of local stories,” Mayor Banham said.
The design, production and delivery of the Glen Innes Highlands Skywalk’s Geotourism visitor experience – an all-time first for the region – delivers 22 audio stories and 360-degree drone footage integrated into a hyper-local mapping platform which visitors can access through a QR code.
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