Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Partnerships Leader Brendan Grimson said caravaners had been flocking to the visitor area following a major investment last year in upgrading the caravan parking bays and picnic areas and sprucing up the Mummaga Lake Walking Track.

“Visitors to the South Coast can’t get enough of the recently revamped Bodalla Forest Rest Area. Over summer, we surveyed more than 100 visitors and everyone we spoke to said they would recommend the forest to family and friends and almost everyone planned a return visit,” Mr Grimson said.    

“Bodalla Forest Park is now a real drawcard, with 96 per cent of visitors surveyed saying it exceeded expectations, 99 per cent saying they would visit again and 100 per cent saying they would recommend it to family and friends.

“Its location along the highway means Bodalla Forest Rest Area has long been a popular stop for families and caravaners, and we know the Mummaga Lake Walking Track is much-loved by locals, but a few years ago, only a quarter of visitors to the rest area were satisfied with their experience.

“Last year, we engaged a landscape architect to breathe new life into the rest area by redesigning the site and improving accessibility. As the survey shows, the result is a great improvement, with visitors now enjoying easy-access caravan parking, new shelters, seating and facilities crafted from local hardwood timber, and an improved Mummaga Lake Walking Track.”

Mr Grimson said the State Forests of the South Coast won gold at the South Coast Tourism awards last October, recognising the contribution State forests make to the local visitor economy.

“Our region has dozens of State forests that are free to visit, offer free camping and have hundreds of kilometres of roads and tracks where visitors can walk the dog, four wheel drive, trail bike, mountain bike or horse ride,” Mr Grimson said.

“Local State forests also host dozens of events every year ranging from major competitions attracting international visitors to local car rallies and community-run events. We also have long-term permit arrangements with attractions on State forests, such as the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens and Edrom Lodge near Eden.

“State forests really are assets to our local region and, as the survey results show, the improvements we’ve been making are really adding to the visitor experience.”

For more information about Forestry Corporation of NSW, visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au