An ambitious proposal for an epic new walking track stretching 150 kilometres across the top of the Illawarra escarpment took a significant step forward today.

The project's champion, former Kiama Mayor Neville Fredericks, invited two regional mayors, Kiama's Cameron McDougall and Wingecarribee's Jesse Fitzpatrick, to join him for a taste of what the walk could look and feel like if it comes to fruition.

The reaction from both mayors was overwhelmingly positive. 

"Amazing," said one. "Stunning," said the other.

When completed, the Illawarra Escarpment Track will provide walkers with a spectacular clifftop hike from the Royal National Park in Sydney's south to Cambewarra Mountain in the Shoalhaven.

Already the NSW Government has committed well over $30 million to establish the Great Southern Walk, a 67-kilometre trek ending in the northern Illawarra that is expected to be completed in the middle of this year. 

That leaves a further 82 kilometres – some sections already in place in part or whole – to complete what Neville Fredericks believes will be one of the greatest walks in Australia.

A walk into wilderness

On Wednesday, Neville guided two of the region's new mayors through cool temperate rainforest, over moss-covered rocks and boulders, traversing the headwater of the Minnamurra River, and edging carefully down a steep, slippery slope to reach the edge of the escarpment. From here they enjoyed a breathtaking 180-degree view over four local government areas, from Lake Illawarra and Wollongong in the north to the Shoalhaven in the south.

Both mayors are in the first months of their first terms and are looking for new ways of improving the lives of locals, while at the same time attracting more visitors.

"Kiama regularly positions itself as nature's playground," said Cr McDougall. "We are concentrating our efforts on things that might draw more tourist dollars to Kiama. At our last council meeting we voted to extend the Gerringong to Gerroa coastal track to get more people out there enjoying the outdoors. The more of these walks we have, the better the opportunity to bring more people in to experience a variety of walks."

Wingecarribee's mayor is also committed to seeking out new "cost effective" tourist opportunities.

"The Wingecarribee is heavily reliant on tourism and we are constantly hearing that people are wanting more things to do," Cr Fitzpatrick said.

"It's getting ever-harder for families to find low-cost activities... and so this ticks all the boxes."

The perfect off-season attraction

Neville Fredericks told the mayors he believes the new escarpment walk – which could be tackled in full by those with time on their hands, or in part – would be the perfect "off season" attraction for visitors to the region.

"People flock to our wonderful beaches in summer and autumn, and this walk will be the ideal activity in the cooler months during winter and spring," Neville said.

At the end of the challenging yet satisfying hike, a beaming Neville Fredericks is extremely confident the mayors have become converts to his vision.

"I think they were positively influenced by today's experience and I'm very encouraged by their response," he said.

"It's amazing. A breath of fresh air," said Cr Fitzpatrick. "Today has been a humbling experience coming from the hustle and bustle into another world."

The response from Kiama's mayor was equally effusive.

"This is just a beautiful location. It is pristine and it has to be cared for but also it needs to be available to be enjoyed by those who love being in nature."

Getting the balance right

Neville Fredericks agreed that getting the balance right will be crucial.

"There is an increasing focus on how to enable the public to come into places like this. Any creation of tracks needs to be done sensitively to protect the natural environment," he said.

With the support already of Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer and Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown, Neville Fredericks appears to have achieved his first objective: bringing on board local government across the region to support his bold vision.

Next cab off the rank is the NSW Government, which has already shown its support for investing in upgrading the walking trails in Illawarra's north.

Kiama's mayor believes all regional mayors should support the project and "advocate as a block" to support it.

"I look forward to helping Nev getting an in-principle commitment for support from state and federal governments," Cr McDougall said.

According to Neville Fredericks – who's won the odd funding battle in the past – "once there's support in Cabinet, the funding will come".

Read more

• State, local politicians get behind the grand escarpment walk project
• Grand escarpment track plan gets seal of approval from leading local photographers
• Shellharbour Mayor steps up to support iconic escarpment walking track
• Former Kiama mayor reenergises vision for iconic escarpment walk to rival anything in the world