Victoria Stone-Meadows

The Flagstaff Hill walking track will be closed to the public until the end of February while the track is repaired and upgraded.

The track was closed to the public after damaging rain and winds associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Owen damaged the trail on 10 December 2018. 

Related Coverage:

- POPULAR SECTION OF WALKING TRAIL RE-OPENED
- FLAGSTAFF HILL WALKING TRACK PARTIALLY REOPENED
- FLAGSTAFF HILL A WALK IN THE PARK FOLLOWING $2 MILLION CASH INJECTION

This most recent closure follows another time the track was damaged in March last year when the region copped more than 1000mm of rain for the month.

Contractors have begun repair work as of Monday, 7 January, and Council has set aside $200,000 for the repair and upgrade works.

Douglas Shire Council Mayor, Julia Leu, said the track needs to undergo some design adjustments to improve its resilience to weather events.

“The trail was designed to be a bush track in the centre of Port Douglas that takes advantage of area’s natural beauty,” she said.

“Unfortunately, severe weather events that bring heavy rainfall and damaging winds can cause landslips on steep terrain, flooding and fallen trees in Douglas Shire.

“A section of the Flagstaff Hill Walking Trail will be moved higher up the hill to avoid a landslip and allow the area to stabilise naturally.”

Cr Leu assured residents the Four Mile Beach end of the walking trail and access to the beach-viewing platform is open and unhindered.

“Council thanks the public for their patience and understanding during this time,” she said.