Lower Blue Mountains to have its first accessible bushland track

September 24, 2021

Environment / Parks / Recreation / Tourism /

As part of a $2 million upgrade, the lower Blue Mountains is set to have a fully accessible bushland track from Lapstone Zig Zag Walking Track to Siding Lookout, opening up the natural beauty and significant heritage features of the area to more people.

The upgrade to more than two kilometres of lower mountains walking tracks, including improvements to Lapstone Zig Zag Walking Track to Siding Lookout will commence later this year.

The construction of a new accessible pathway following the historic Zig Zag railway track to an upgraded Siding Lookout will provide vistas of the Nepean River and across the Cumberland Plain. Additional seating, interpretive signage, and accessible parking at the end of Knapsack Street are also included in the upgrade.

Blue Mountains City Council Mayor Mark Greenhill notes “the Scenic Eastern Escarpment is an important regional recreational space with more than 16km of bush trails, showcasing important Aboriginal and European heritage and diverse bushland.

“An accessible track from Lapstone Zig Zag Walking Track to Siding Lookout is an important milestone for our community, providing equal opportunity and access for all to enjoy the unique beauty of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

“I encourage the community to view the final designs for the new accessible track, and to have their say on the surface finish of the path. It will not be white concrete – but a coloured pathway that blends with the natural environment. The project team is also looking at the texture of the path, in line with accessibility standards.”

The track will be closed to the public for safety reasons, during works that are due to commence in November/December 2021.

Council will also be improving the safety and amenity of a number of shared walking tracks and trails, lookouts, steps and stairs within Knapsack Reserve including Marges and Elizabeth Lookouts, Elizabeth Lookout to Knapsack Bridge, Marges Lookout to Lennox Bridge and Lovers Walk to Mitchells Pass.

Work on these is due to commence at various stages over the next six months with a planned completion date of September 2022.

These improvements are in line with the Scenic Eastern Escarpment Masterplan adopted by Council in May 2018, after a year of extensive community consultation.

The project is funded under the Western Parkland City Liveability Program, which is part of the Western Sydney City Deal (WSCD). The WSCD is a 20 year agreement between Australian and NSW governments, and the eight local Councils of the Western Parkland City.

For more information and to have your say on the surface finish of the path,visit yoursay.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/scenic-eastern-escarpment

Image top: Artist impression of the upgraded Siding Lookout; Image above: Mayor Mark Greenhill at Lapstone Zig Zag Walking Track.

20th September 2021 - Blue Mountains Tourism announces new marketing manager appointment

19th August 2021 - QR codes introduced for play spaces, dog off-leash areas and outdoor courts in Blue Mountains

9th July 2021 - End of the road for Blue Mountains tourism transport business

26th June 2021 - Urban tree canopy planned for trail linking Parramatta to lower Blue Mountains

25th May 2021 - Blue Mountains City Council to participate in Climate Council National Summit

28th March 2021 - Blue Mountains Council receives accolade of ‘Most Animal Friendly Council in Australia’

15th January 2021 - Blue Mountains’ Wollemi Pines declared asset of intergenerational significance

5th January 2021 - 2021 winter sports user fees waived for local Blue Mountains sports groups

23rd December 2020 - Blue Mountains region reflects on 20th Anniversary of being granted World Heritage status by United Nations

16th November 2020 - Blue Mountains Council purchases former Katoomba Golf Clubhouse site for envisaged planetary health leadership centre

14th November 2020 - New Gathering Place at Blue Mountains’ Echo Point opens during NAIDOC Week 2020

26th October 2020 - Blue Mountains Echo Point lookout and amphitheatre completed

15th June 2018 - Scenic World Blue Mountains wins Sydney Harbour Bridge climb attraction contract

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.