The Gap and Little Beach get facilities makeover as part of $11m State Government infrastructure plan

Two popular Great Southern tourism spots have had a facilities makeover, with construction on carparks and toilets at the Gap and Little Beach concluding just in time for summer. The State Government announced the completion of both projects on Wednesday morning, with Minister for the Environment Matthew Swinbourn saying the upgrades would help growing numbers of travellers appreciate the region’s natural splendour. Torndirrup National Park has seen a 10 per cent rise in visitor numbers from last year’s count, with more than 660,000 visits to the area. The Gap, one of the most iconic spots in the national park, received brand new toilet facilities and improved parking as part of the recent upgrades. Similarly, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve recorded an 11 per cent increase in visitation compared to the previous year, with more than 80,000 visitors making the trip to the reserve’s crystal-clear waters, dramatic landscapes and white sandy beaches. Visitors to the reserves’ popular Little Beach, situated at its north-eastern end, now have a sealed carpark with double the capacity of the unsealed carpark that was there previously. There is space for 52 cars with an additional two long-vehicle bays. The popular beach also received a new accessible toilet and new pedestrian pathways linking the carpark, facilities and beach front. Further works are on the cards for Cable Beach in Torndirrup National Park early next year, including a new lookout, upgraded beach access stairs, and a pedestrian pathway linking the Gap to Cable Beach. Mr Swinbourn said the improvements would also help safeguard the surrounding natural environment as the Great Southern coastline continued to draw visitors from “all over the world”. The upgrades in the Great Southern are part of an $11 million State Government drive to enhance visitor infrastructure at popular tourist destinations. Great Southern Minister Reece Whitby said the upgrades were a nod to Albany’s growing status as a top tourism destination. “We welcome this investment as a strong signal of support for regional tourism and the continued growth of Albany as a premier tourism destination. “Improved facilities mean longer stays, better visitor satisfaction and more opportunities for local businesses to thrive. “We look forward to more people being able to enjoy our world-class coastal experiences.”