The iconic Three Sisters walking track will be given a $1.5 million makeover following a weekend announcement by the NSW Environment and Heritage minister Rob Stokes.
Two million visitors walk the track annually and the new works by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, would improve visitor safety interpretative signage and access for those with a disability. It's also hoped it will increase international tourist numbers.
"With this $1.5 million transformation, the Three Sisters walking track will be lifted to the high standards expected of a significant tourist attraction," Mr Stokes said.
The upgrade has already started and will take until April or May next year to finish. It will mean occasional helicopter drops of concrete to the site and also occasional closures to the 500 metres of track.
Alan Henderson, NPWS Blue Mountains regional manager, said the nearby Spooners Lookout was currently being upgraded as part of the project.
"We've started some preliminary works at an offshoot from the main Three Sisters pathway, close to Echo Point.
"The site will be closed from time to time during the course of the work, [Spooners] is an alternative site for visitors."
Mr Stokes said the government was making the "significant investment at this site to ensure many more visitors can enjoy this ancient and spectacular landscape".
He made the announcement alongside Blue Mountains MP Roza Sage.
Mrs Sage said the works would not only improve facilities, but would also recognise the indigenous and non-indigenous history the Blue Mountains holds.
"Local NPWS staff raised the need for this project with me two years ago, and I am so pleased our combined advocacy has helped produce such a positive result," Mrs Sage said.
"Honouring the history and heritage steeped within this track is an important part of this project. I thank the local Aboriginal community for their collaboration on this initiative."
The pathway links Echo Point lookout to Lady Game lookout, both overlooking the Three Sisters. Constructed in the 1930s, the track and precinct have been a popular destination for many famous international guests, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, who visited after the 2013 bushfires.
The Blue Mountains walking track history spans some 170 years, with many of the early pioneered routes constructed on Aboriginal pathways and the upgrade is subject to an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit, which will ensure the cultural values of the Aboriginal place are protected.
Mr Henderson said he was working closely with council and the Aboriginal community.
"It's a really exciting project, the disturbance to the visitors in the short term will be well worth it. We'll look to minimise that as much as possible."
While NPWS is looking to improve the stability of the track, part of the upgrade also involves building a dedicated 150 metre circuit designed specially for those with assisted wheelchair access.