Tamworth’s newest tourism drawcard, the Tamworth Skywalk, will officially open to the public on Saturday, 29 August, giving locals and visitors their first chance to walk the elevated path through Victoria Park to the Oxley Scenic Lookout.
The idea for the Skywalk was first raised by the community during consultation on the Victoria Park Master Plan in 2021. It began as a proposal for a safer pedestrian link to the lookout, but has since grown into a major tourism and recreation asset, connecting other parts of Victoria Park to the lookout on foot.
Walkers taking on the Skywalk will cover a similar distance and elevation gain to the existing climb up Scenic Drive, so the physical challenge remains, but without sharing the road with vehicle traffic.
The $18 million project was made possible through $14.3 million in funding from the NSW Government, with Tamworth Regional Council contributing a further $3.7 million. The combined budget covered the project from planning and design through to construction and completion.
“The Skywalk aligns with Council’s Active Transport Strategy by encouraging greater participation in walking and outdoor recreation and improving accessibility for a wider range of residents,” Tamworth Regional Council stated.
Council said it already plans to fold the Skywalk into its existing tourism promotion, alongside improvements to surrounding active transport routes and the wider Victoria Park visitor experience.
Building the Skywalk was no simple task. The rugged terrain demanded extensive planning and detailed design work, along with close collaboration between Council, head contractor FORGE and local subcontractors. FORGE worked to bring in local contractors and suppliers throughout construction, delivering flow-on benefits for the Tamworth economy.
Construction began in early 2025, with the first concrete footings poured at the Oxley Scenic Lookout site in the middle of the year. The finished Skywalk stretches approximately 1,470 metres, rising more than 120 metres above the city at its highest point. The structure is made up of a 381 metre on grade concrete path, 963 metres of interconnected boardwalk structures and stairs, an 84 metre girder supported elevated boardwalk, a 20 metre clear span enclosed pedestrian bridge and 296 square metres of viewing decks.
One of the trickiest parts of the build was installing the bridge across Scenic Road. The bridge was fabricated off site before being assembled and lifted into place with precision crane work, along with the lower stairs. That bridge installation, completed in April, connected the boardwalk sections above and below the road.
The project also brought a community benefit beyond the walking track itself. In November last year, FORGE presented a $10,000 donation to Can Assist Tamworth as the first recipient of its Grassroots program, with the funds set to support local cancer patients and their families across the Tamworth region.
Council said the final path of the Skywalk was chosen carefully to protect the area’s natural and cultural values, with the aim of designing a structure that sits within the landscape rather than standing out from it.
Community input shaped the project long before construction began. Consultation with key stakeholders in the early stages helped refine sections of the route, improve accessibility and inclusivity, and ensure the design respected the area’s natural and cultural heritage.
Council expects the Skywalk to become a premier walking attraction for the New England North West, bringing long-term benefits through higher visitor numbers, greater regional exposure and new opportunities for local businesses.
The Grand Opening will run from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, 29 August, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, live entertainment, food and refreshments, and family-friendly activities. It will also be the first chance for the community to walk the Skywalk themselves.
“The Skywalk is expected to become a premier walking attraction for the New England North West, delivering long-term benefits through increased visitation, greater regional exposure and additional opportunities for local businesses,” Tamworth Regional Council stated.
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