Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail possesses some of the most spectacular natural environment in Australia, from rugged coastlines to dense rainforests and freshwater rivers. The new trail, designed by leading trail designers, World Trail, will offer a variety of walking experiences to cater for a broad range of visitors. Three significant suspension bridges designed by Bligh Tanner, some of which are up to 150m in length and 70m above the valley floor, will offer spectacular views and allow walkers to ‘tread lightly’ and safely, leaving minimal impact as they connect with the landscape.
The release of the masterplan is a significant project milestone which includes the finalisation of a ‘ground-truthed’ trail alignment and the location and design principles for key visitor infrastructure such as trailheads, campsites and river crossings.
Proudly designed by World Trail, Biosis, Bligh Tanner, Golder Associates, Tract Consultants and Zinc Cost Management, this significant project will foster greater connection between visitors, Country, and the local communities and businesses along the Great Ocean Road coastline, all year round.
The trail design process has sought to showcase the rich cultural heritage and history of the Otway Region, its spectacular rainforest and heathlands and wild coastlines. An extensive community engagement process has been central to determining the final trail alignment. Linking Fairhaven on the Surf Coast to Skenes Creek, the proposed trails will incorporate a mix of existing walking trails and connections through townships such as Lorne and Wye River.
Bligh Tanner’s contribution to the master plan included undertaking site investigations and providing engineering advice on infrastructure requirements for off-grid campsites, trailheads, suspension bridges and river crossings. Bligh Tanner brings extensive experience in ecologically-sensitive and ‘off-grid’ design, particularly with respect to decentralised water and wastewater supply options, waterway science and design and adoption of low-impact civil engineering infrastructure. Consideration of pragmatic and low-impact construction methodologies has been critical to the feasibility of constructing the trail in remote and sensitive environments.
Our use of visualisation software has enabled the proposed suspension bridges to be realised from an early stage. Intended to position the Great Ocean Road Coastal trail amongst the world’s iconic nature-based tourism experiences, determining the feasibility of the suspension bridges has been fundamental to the trail master planning process. Bligh Tanner’s visualisations have facilitated engagement with community and project stakeholders and enabled testing of their visual impacts.
The Victorian Government has committed $25.5 million to deliver the first stage of this iconic trail from Fairhaven to Grey River, with the Federal Government contributing $350,000 for planning through the Geelong City Deal.
This project was recently awarded two accolades at the 2023 Australian Institute of Architects Awards, Victoria Chapter.
"This was a really important project for Lat27 and Bligh Tanner’s collaborative approach to working with us to deliver an outstanding new educational spine for UQ Gatton’s campus was invaluable. The civil and structural team at Bligh Tanner helped us create a new piece of public realm where a sensitive, minimal and seamless outcome was fundamental to the success of the project. The unseen elements of their designs are testament to how smart engineers can provide expertise that complements the presentation and functionality of these projects."
"You have normal engineers, and then you have Bligh Tanner. They enjoy being challenged. They are the “architect’s engineer”."
"The benefit of working with Bligh Tanner is the attention you receive from their senior people and their continuity through the project. Their attitude, responsiveness and rigour of documentation, distinguishes them."
"Bligh Tanner's structural design processes ensured project cost and operational requirements were achieved while maintaining the Architect's aesthetic parameters for the buildings structural elements. The department have found Bligh Tanner's project engineers to be professional and proactive at all stages of the procurement of the Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre and the Gold Coast Suns Administration and Training Facility."
"I have been thoroughly impressed by Bligh Tanner's commitment to collaborating with multiple stakeholders during the delivery of the Advancing Queensland Schools programme of works. Bligh Tanner’s expertise in education work has proven to add value toward successfully addressing DET Standards and quickly resolving technical issues in a coordinated manner. Bligh Tanner’s easy to read 2D and 3D documentation allowed for high levels of collaboration among stakeholder’s, quick identification of value-for-money solutions and achievement of the project objectives on time."
"Since 2013 we have been working with Bligh Tanner on a variety of projects. They are our now our first point of call for all Structural matters. The Bligh Tanner team have always demonstrated an understanding of the challenges associated with retail projects. They have been flexible, and have proved a willingness to work with the whole project team to find the best outcome for the project."
"Bligh Tanner’s research, testing guidance, analysis, and can-do attitude, has enabled Ozone Panel to develop appropriate technical information and guidance to confidently share with our clients, be it builders, building surveyors or structural engineers. The team at Bligh Tanner are passionate about what they do, great to work with and I have no hesitation in recommending Bligh Tanner for your next project. "
"Our site project staff and myself have worked with Paul and his team, and have found they are flexible and adaptable in their approach to engineering issues and solutions. We find them to be easy to work with, very approachable and proactive in assisting with any site issues encountered."