A $1.9 million upgrade to walking tracks and lookouts at Tasmans Arch and Devils Kitchen is nearing completion, with the Tasman Peninsula sites due to reopen in coming weeks.
The work was originally expected to take until August after the sites closed to visitors on April 15.
Walking tracks and viewing platforms have been upgraded and sections of track realigned, with a tiered viewing platform built as part of the works.
Accessibility has also been improved for visitors with disability, with the finished sites to offer all-abilities access.
The state government committed $1.65 million to the project, with a further $250,000 coming from its disability access initiative.
Tasmanian company AJR Construct won the contract in February through an open tender process.
About 25 local jobs were supported by the work and 12 Tasmanian businesses were subcontracted.
Access to the Waterfall Bay Track from Devils Kitchen has been closed during construction, with walkers still able to get in from Waterfall Bay Road.
The closure was scheduled outside peak tourist season and the works are due to be finished before the summer visitor season.
Parks and Heritage Minister Nick Duigan said the completed works provide greater all-abilities access to the sites.
“We have invested $1.65 million in upgrades to walking tracks, lookouts and visitor infrastructure at these popular natural attractions on the Tasman Peninsula and we can’t wait to see the project complete in coming weeks,” Duigan said.
Liberal MP Jane Howlett said Tasmans Arch and Devils Kitchen are among Tasmania’s most iconic and popular visitor attractions.
“These works have been scheduled to be completed in time for the busy visitor summer season and we look forward to more people experiencing Tasmania’s natural environment,” Howlett said.
The upgrades are the second stage of the Tasman Gateway Project.
The first stage, finished in 2022, delivered new toilets, an upgraded car park and a bus layby.
Similar accessibility work has been carried out at Goblin Forest, Stanley Nut Reserve, Ferndene and the Dove Lake boardwalk.
