Chief Minister Adam Giles unveiled the Northern Territory government plan during a visit to Katherine on Sunday and explained it was unabashedly aimed at attracting “adventure tourists" to the Top End.

“The Territory’s pretty good for the adventure tourism, it’s also good for free independent tourists, where people are more willing to be adventurous and go out on their own, rather than high-volume, coach-type tourism,” he told the Katherine Times.

“Certainly, this sort of investment will be a major drawcard in itself, to add to the tourism products we have here, but it will certainly target more to the adventure market.”

Under the plan, the 300-metre Skywalk – which will allow users to look directly through the pedestrian bridge to the Katherine River below – will be funded entirely by the government, with its operation likely to be handed over to the private sector.

Member for Katherine Willem Westra van Holthe said he believed the Skywalk had the potential to rival the one built at the Grand Canyon in the United States.

“This really provides some better opportunities for people to have a look at this most iconic part of the Northern Territory,” he said.

“This really becomes, out here at Nitmiluk, the Territory’s own Grand Canyon.

“This is the Northern Territory’s best water park; it’s just beautiful out here, and to have this type of infrastructure to view the gorge from a different angle is just fantastic.”​

The announcement was praised by Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation chair Lisa Mumbin, who said the national park’s traditional owners welcomed “opportunities and investment that’s a benefit to all”.

While there is no time frame for when tourists could expect to step onto the Skywalk for the first time, Mr Giles said he hoped to put the construction contract out to tender within 10 months.

“I’m not an engineer,” he said. “I’m not sure how long it will take.”

Katherine TImes