Media release – Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, 12 August 2024
Tasmanian architects to lead design of the Freycinet Visitor Gateway project
Work to improve access to one of Tasmania’s most iconic national parks has reached a significant milestone with the appointment of the Freycinet Visitor Gateway Project lead design consultant.
Tasmanian firm Xsquared Architects will lead a multi-discipline team to design and scope the Visitor Gateway, which will be located outside the Freycinet National Park near the township of Coles Bay.
The location was carefully chosen to reduce vehicle movement and congestion within Coles Bay and the Freycinet National Park, manage visitor numbers and promote sustainable access to the area. The project is supported through a $14 million election commitment by the State Government and $5.7 million from the Australian Government under its National Tourism Icons Program.
Freycinet National Park is one of Tasmania’s most iconic natural locations, attracting 281,000 visitors in 2023, and is also a place of cultural significance to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
The Visitor Gateway will deliver a key initiative of the Freycinet Peninsula Master Plan, improving access to the park while maintaining strong protection of its unique natural and cultural values. The project will include a carpark with electric vehicle charging facilities, visitor information, amenities, and a bus shelter.
The design will focus on delivering low impact and sustainable infrastructure that streamlines visitor access to the national park and township and is proposed to incorporate Aboriginal interpretations.
Implementation of a shuttle service is also being progressed and will commence operation after the delivery of the new Visitor Gateway site.
Consultation with stakeholders and the public will continue in 2024, and the project will be open to public consultation in 2025, following design and investigation stages and as part of consultation for environmental and planning approvals.
Construction is anticipated to commence in 2025-26.
