About

The Tamworth Regional Skywalk is an exciting project which is expected to become an iconic tourist attraction for the Tamworth region, as well as protect the safety of local recreational walkers.

An elevated walking platform will be constructed from the top of Brisbane Street within Victoria Park up to the top of the Oxley Scenic Lookout, giving people the chance to enjoy the natural bushland of Victoria Park and its commanding views toward the Liverpool Ranges.

This project aligns with the Tamworth Regional Active Transport Strategy which aims to improve our participation in unstructured recreational activity and the associated benefits for the individual and the community. A core strategy of Council’s Blueprint 100 is also to make our region more liveable by providing improved social, cultural and physical amenities.

Why is this project important?

Scenic Road is currently used frequently by pedestrians wanting to access Oxley Lookout but poses a serious safety issue due to pedestrians sharing the narrow road with cars, and the sharp corners mean vehicles have poor lines of sight.

The skywalk will provide a safer alternate option and greatly increase usage by families, keen exercisers and those visiting the region.

This project was first earmarked during the community consultation in May 2021 for the development of the Victoria Park Master Plan. Residents felt that a safer pedestrian link to the lookout was an important consideration.

Progress Updates

November 2025

Construction on the Skywalk has continued to progress this month, continuing on assembly of the boardwalk in the lower section, while nearing completion of remaining footings in the upper section, ready for structural works in 2026.

Stage 1 – Footings completed, aside from eight footings that are awaiting assembly above their location. Viewing Platform (VP) 1 completed aside from balustrade and handrail, shelter sheets and fit off of electrical. Boardwalk columns, bearers and joists commenced between VP1 and Rest Area (RA) 2. A delay on this section's shipment of Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) during November has slowed progress planned for November on this section but is expected to be completed prior to Christmas Shutdown. Steel has commenced between VP2 and RA3 with FRP due prior to Christmas. After Christmas this section is expected to progress down to the start of the boardwalk during the first 3 months of 2026, with the footpath down to the entry to be the last stage of works for stage 1 due to access restrictions for structural assembly works.

Stage 2 - Footings above Scenic Rd to the lookout, including the bridge across Scenic Rd and stairs below Scenic Rd, are nearing completion with only 10 footings remaining of the 400 boardwalk, rest area and viewing platform footings. Assembly of this section’s stairs, bridge and boardwalk will commence in February 2026 and continue through to near the end of the project, prior to opening in late June 2026.

Stage 3 - The Endeavour Dr carpark, lower entry landscaping and path from lower entry to the start of the lower boardwalk is progressing with design almost complete for the car park with works expected to Commence in Mid-January 2026. Landscaping design iterations are being reviewed during November and expectation of nearing completion of design during January following Christmas shutdown. Works on this are all expected to occur during 2026.

Long lead time pad mount substation items for the electrical supply upgrades have been procured with relocation works on Scenic Rd expected to take place in January and February 2026.

Activity during December will Include:

• Completion of Scenic Rd bridge footings and remaining footings on the boardwalk alignment above Scenic Rd

• Completion of VP1 structural installation

• Completion of VP1 to RA2 structural assembly
• Commencement of VP2 to RA3 full structural assembly

• Commencement of boardwalk structural assembly between RA2 and VP2

• Finalisation of electrical supply design and easement creation ready for construction

Works onsite will cease close of business on 24 December 2025 and recommence over the weeks of the 5 January and 12 January 2026

October 2025

Construction on the Skywalk has continued to progress this month, moving into assembly of the boardwalk in the lower section, while working on completion of remaining footings in the upper section, primarily in footing installation.

The footings for Stage 1 - the central section of the boardwalk, rest areas and viewing platforms footings between Endeavour Drive and Scenic Road have now been completed (392 of 400), aside from a small number that are awaiting completion of some assembly of the boardwalk above to allow access to be maintained for now.

Assembly on the boardwalk for Stage 1 has commenced with the main structural members installed for Viewing Platform (VP) 1 and the boardwalk columns commenced between VP1 and Rest Area (RA) 2. Delivery of the first portions of FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic) boardwalk structural members and decking panels is due in the first half of November. Angled balustrade for VP1 and the boardwalk between VP1 and RA2 will begin installation as the structural members are completed in November.

Stage 2 footings above Scenic Rd to the lookout, including the bridge across Scenic Rd and stairs below Scenic Rd, have been hampered by hard rock excavation at VP3 and the stairs between RA3 and the Scenic Rd Bridge during October which has slowed some progress with the contractor completing approximately 300 of the 400 boardwalk, rest area and viewing platform footings. Assembly of this sections stairs, bridge and boardwalk will commence in February 2026 and continue through to near the end of the project prior to opening in late June 2026.

Stage 3 - the Endeavour Dr carpark, lower entry landscaping and path from lower entry to the start of the lower boardwalk is progressing with design iterations being reviewed during October and expectation of nearing completion of design during November. Works on this are all expected to occur during 2026.

Low voltage supply and relocation works have been awarded to a local electrical contractor following open Council tender in September/October

Activity during November will include;

• Completion of Scenic Rd bridge footings and remaining footings on the boardwalk alignment above Scenic Rd

• Completion of VP1 structural installation

• Completion of VP1 to RA2 structural assembly

• Commencement of installation of the boardwalk decking and balustrade/handrail between VP1 and RA2

• Commencement of boardwalk structural assembly between VP2 and RA3

• Finalisation of electrical supply design and easement creation ready for construction

September 2025

Construction on the Skywalk has continued to progress primarily in footing installation, but also the commencement of fabrication of the structural steel and fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) boardwalk components prior to the first delivery to site for assembly commencing in mid-October.

The footings for Stage 1 the central section of the boardwalk, rest areas and viewing platforms footings between Endeavour Drive and Scenic Road is completed for now (315 of 400) to not restrict site access for the boardwalk assembly above this area. The remaining footings in this section will be completed in the new year as the boardwalk assembly moves from Scenic Road down to this point.

Stage 2 footings above Scenic Rd to the lookout including the bridge across Scenic Rd and stairs below Scenic Rd have progressed well during September with the contractor completing approximately 250 of the 400 boardwalk, rest area and viewing platform footings.

A public tender was advertised by Council this month for the LV supply and LV relocation works for the project.

Activity during October will include;

• Completion of all footings along the alignment, excluding the lower section awaiting completion of the boardwalk assembly above
• Commencement of installation of the boardwalk, rest area and viewing platform structures on central section of the boardwalk below Scenic Rd
• Progression of landscaping design for lower and upper entry
• Finalisation of the carpark design on Endeavour Dr
• Finalisation of electrical supply design and easement creation ready for construction
• Award of Tender the construction tender for electrical supply and relocation

August 2025

Construction on the Skywalk has continued to progress primarily in footing installation during August, with work on the central section of the boardwalk between Endeavour Drive and Scenic Road progressing well. Some improved weather in the second half of August has allowed steady progress with the contractor completing approximately 300 of the 400 boardwalk, rest area and viewing platform footings in Stage 1 and approximately 100 of the 400 in Stage 2.

Activity during September will include;

• Completion of footing construction in the central section with both excavation and concreting of the footings
• Commencement of manufacturing of boardwalk structure for construction on central section
• Commencement of footing construction above Scenic Rd up to the Oxley Lookout
• Progression of landscaping design for lower and upper entry
• Finalisation of carpark design on Endeavour Dr
• Progression of electrical supply design and construction procurement

July 2025

Construction on the Skywalk has progressed to footing installation, with work currently focused on the central section of the boardwalk between Endeavour Drive and Scenic Road. Wet weather over the past two months has created access challenges for the contractor, especially after rain, due to clay soils in this part of Tamworth on the access tracks.

Despite losing on average 1-2 days of access per week since commencing construction, the contractor has made steady progress in Stage 1, completing approximately 100 of the 400 boardwalk and viewing platform footings in this section, with nearly 200 already excavated.

Activity during August will include;

• Continuation of footing construction in the central section with both excavation and concreting of the footings
• Finalisation of carpark design on Endeavour Dr
• Finalisation of bridge design across Scenic Rd
• Commencement on landscaping design for lower entry

Accessibility wins

It has been a priority for the delivery of the Tamworth Regional Skywalk to maximise its accessibility for use for people of all ages and a wide range of abilities.

This has been achieved by concentrating the stairs in the middle of the structure.

To be a little technical, the design uses grades no steeper than 1:14 plus there are landings every nine metres and tactile markers. Further on from these viewing areas, prams, or those who are less mobile or use a wheelchair will be able to access larger lengths of the Skywalk with assistance.

While the concept for the Skywalk grew from the need for a safer pedestrian link to Oxley Lookout, it’s a real win to know the design we have means it will be able to used by people of all ages with a wide range of abilities.

We expect it will be one of the most accessible elevated walking platforms in Australia.

Funding success

On 3 March 2023, the NSW Government announced that the skywalk had been the recipient of $14.3 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund.

Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb joined Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson alongside several Council staff at the Oxley Scenic Lookout to make the announcement.