Despite being closed since August 2015, the Hopetoun Falls walking trail on Mount Canobolas is no closer to reopening, over two years later.
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While the 3.5 kilometre trail is still in walkable condition, the steps leading to the lookout of the Hopetoun Falls have been badly damaged and are unsafe for walking, which led NSW Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to close the whole track.
The steps were damaged in a snowfall in 2015 after a tree next to the steps came down and the roots tore the steps apart.
NPWS ranger for Mount Canobolas Steve Woodhall said fixing the steps was complicated and expensive.
“Track is closed due to damage to infrastructure and we don’t have an expected time for it to reopen,” he said.
“It’s physically difficult to get to, it’s not a simple thing.
“It’s a funding thing – it’s a long way in and we would have to fly materials in.”
NSW Parks and Wildlife Service are funded through the NSW government, and as such no funding has been provided to fix the stairs.
Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
