Located 60 kilometres north of Hughenden, Porcupine Gorge highlights towering cliffs of sandstone, vine forest and deep waterholes along the creek, making it a very popular stop for tourists.

Flinders Shire Council is looking to diversify its tourism industry by conducting a feasibility study and business plan to expand the opportunities at the national park.

Flinders Shire Council Mayor, Jane McNamara, said council had been lobbying hard for the Porcupine Gorge National Park Tourism Infrastructure Project to secure state funding for the $60,000 study and plan.

“We are part of the famous Dinosaur Trail and each of our partners, Winton and Richmond, have their own very distinct products - as well as being part of the trail.

“We also have something unique which is Porcupine Gorge. We have discussed with National Parks putting a walk way at the look out, either a cantilever or a bridge that goes right across, and we think we are getting closer through state government grants.”

The closest walkway is located in the Innisfail rainforrest, while the next closest is situated in Western Australia.

With the Hann highway being upgraded, Cr McNamara said the proposed sky walk would make an ideal tourist route.

“Travelling from Cairns, to the Atherton Tablelands, Undara Lava Tubes, Cobbold Gorge, Savannah Way to Porcupine Gorge and then go through to Richmond or Winton on the Dinosaur Trail – the drive route would be fantastic.”

The feasibility study would also investigate further infrastructure development at the gorge including upgrading the camping ground, walking tracks, on site facilities and even ecotourism.

“The feasibility study would look into all of those options because it would be one of a kind for North Queensland,” Cr McNamara said.

“We already have great visitor numbers now but we do want to make it an international standard of an attraction so it brings people to outback Queensland as part of the Outback Queensland experience.”