Where once bushwalkers had to scramble or slide, there are now beautiful sandstone stairs.
Welcome to the new and improved Wodi Wodi Track.
After being closed for repairs for a year and a half, the track reopened today, December 20. It's another tick in the progress report for the Great Southern Walk, which will one day link Sydney and Wollongong via an incredible 67-kilometre, multi-day hike through the Royal and Kamay Botany Bay national parks and Illawarra Escarpment.
“Thank you to the workers for the great job they've done on the sandstone steps and repair to the track, just in time for the summer holidays," the Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart, said in a media release today.
The $2 million upgrade covered 2.15km of trackwork and took 18 months, with helicopters flying in materials to remote locations. The works included track realignments and improved stormwater management thanks to grade reversals, drainage and paved swales.
The future super walk will start in Kamay Botany Bay National Park and end at the Southern Gateway Centre at Bulli Tops. The NSW Government has invested $17.46 million in the project.
Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Ryan Park, said: “This project will bring people from all over the world and allow them to enjoy the wonders of our region, while also protecting our local natural environment."
So, how's the rest of the 67km super walk progressing?
On November 27, a spokesperson from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service told the Flame: "Within the Royal National Park section of the walk, all track upgrades in Wattamolla Beach are complete with track works between Burning Palms and Otford expected to be completed by mid-2025.
"Planning for the new track connection from Otford Lookout to Bald Hill is underway.
"Works are continuing between Maddens Plains and the Bulli Gateway Centre with completion of these sections expected by mid-late 2025."
This is all pending weather and operational constraints. For more information, visit the Great Southern Walk project webpage.
