Background

Ebor Falls is a spectacular tiered waterfall located in Guy Fawkes River National Park. Situated along the scenic Waterfall Way, it has a popular visitor precinct with convenient picnic and rest stop areas, and sealed roads.

While the area has become increasingly popular over the years, in 2019, Ebor Falls was impacted by bushfire. As a result, the site’s three lookout platforms were destroyed.

NSW Public Works (NSWPW) were engaged by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to replace the site’s lookout platforms and upgrade visitor facilities across the site.

Our role

NSWPW provided project management, contract management and procurement services for the upgrade, as well as surveillance during the construction phase of the project.

The lookout platforms were carefully designed to provide a safe, accessible, and enjoyable experience for visitors while minimising the impacts on the surrounding environment. Geotechnical assessments were conducted to determine the appropriate foundation design and platform foundations are securely anchored to the cliff to prevent instability or collapse.

The platform was engineering to withstand the forces exerted by wind, weather, and visitor traffic. Durable materials such as steel, concrete and composite materials that can withstand exposure to the elements were considered. It was also designed to be accessible to people of all abilities by incorporating ramp, handrail, non-slip surfaces, and the gradient of the terrain leading to the platform to ensure ease use for everyone.

Throughout the process, both NSWPW and NPWS worked closely with Dorrigo Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) to ensure that all works were respectful of the local Aboriginal culture, with Dorrigo LALC provided valuable insight into the significance of Aboriginal lands in the area, particularly the Upper Falls.

Outcomes

In December 2023, the Upper Falls Visitor Precinct was opened to the public, allowing the area to be utilised by families and visitors during the summer holiday period.

The Upper Falls Precinct features two new wheelchair accessible viewing platforms, which provides spectacular views of Ebor Falls as well as new toilets and dedicated picnic and barbecue facilities. New wheelchair-accessible pathways have been constructed throughout the area, linking the viewing platforms with an upgraded car park.

The Lower Falls Precinct will open in May 2024, and will feature two new lookouts and an upgraded pathway between the upper and lower precincts. Ebor Falls Road will also be resealed to cater for the increased visitation expected.

Images courtesy of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.