Popular Namadgi National Park sites to reopen sooner than expected after Orroral Valley bushfire

Bushfire recovery efforts in closed parts of Namadgi National Park are well underway, and rangers are optimistic Canberrans will be able to return to some of their favourite sites sooner than originally anticipated.

It’s been 12 months since the Orroral Valley bushfire — which spanned 80,000 hectares and saw the ACT enter a state of emergency — destroyed 80 per cent of Namadgi National Park.

While areas of the park like Gibralter Falls and Square Rock opened to visitors six months ago, it was estimated to be years before some other areas would reopen.

But James Overall, who is managing the park’s infrastructure recovery, now expects most of the park will be accessible by the middle of the year.

“We’re really optimistic; the…