Plans for a zip-line on kunanyi/Mt Wellington have taken a step forward, with the Hobart City Council releasing the tourism proposal for public comment.
The zip-line, which developers say will be the longest, fastest and highest in the Asia-Pacific, will span over 1km and send riders hurtling down the mountainside at 100km/h.
Two riders will be able to zip-line between The Springs and Strickland Falls in South Hobart for 90 seconds in each direction at a time, with up to 100 people expected to use the attraction daily.
At a length of 1,266m, it will start from a new 25m tall tower at The Springs, feature a 331m vertical drop from start to finish and reach a maximum height of 50m above ground.
Following interim community consultation, developers TAZZIP modified their original plans by scrapping a new carpark previously proposed at the Strickland Avenue base.
Instead, they are proposing a carpark for 20 vehicles at the council’s disused quarry at Halls Saddle, with minivans used to transport riders between Halls Saddle, The Springs and Strickland Avenue.
The Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (ALCT) has previously voiced its opposition to the project, saying kunanyi/Mt Wellington is a “living cultural landscape” and not a “theme park”.
“Aboriginal people will be disappointed and dismayed that a place as special as kunanyi is where someone would propose a tourism gimmick like a zip-line,” ALCT manager Rebecca Digney told the ABC.
The council is inviting feedback on the proposal until February 19.
kunanyi/Mt Wellington is Tasmania’s top natural attraction, drawing in over 410,000 visitors in 2023.
More on this story: ‘Holistic’ review of kunanyi/Mt Wellington’s future receives over 7,000 submissions
