Scenic Eastern Escarpment

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Update on new accessible Zig Zag to Siding Lookout track

Improvements to Lapstone Zig Zag Walking Track to Siding Lookout - due to start in December 2021 - have been delayed due to rain.

The accessibility upgrade will provide a new inclusive experience for more members of the community and is one component of a $2 million upgrade to nearly two and a half kilometres of lower mountains walking tracks.

The Lapstone Zig Zag to Siding Lookout upgrade includes the construction of a new accessible pathway along the current track alignment, to an upgraded Siding Lookout, providing improved vistas of the Nepean River and across the Cumberland Plain.

Following the historic Zig Zag railway track alignment the path will keep the bushland experience natural and intact as well as making significant heritage features more accessible. This will be the first fully accessible bushland track in the lower Blue Mountains. Currently less than four per cent of bushland walking tracks in the Blue Mountains are wheelchair accessible.

The upgrade to Siding Lookout will wrap the edge of the existing switchback. It will also include seating and interpretive signage, and will address drainage issues.

Council will be formalising some parking at the end of Knapsack Street, with priority given to compliant accessible parking. You can view the proposed parking plan here.

Work is now expected to commence early in 2022 (but is dependent on weather). During works, the track will be closed to the public for safety reasons. There will be no alternative route to connect to Zig Zag. The works must be completed by September 2022.

Designs for the accessible path are now available. The community is also invited to have its say on the colour of the path. Take our quick poll to tell us your preference. The poll closes on Tuesday, 5 October. Council is also looking into options for the texture of the path, in line with accessibility standards.

About the Scenic Eastern Escarpment upgrades

  • A $2 million upgrade to 2.35km of walking tracks in the lower Blue Mountains will make significant heritage features more accessible.
  • This project will not only make these walking tracks in the lower Blue Mountains more accessible to more people, but it will also help open up significant heritage areas.
  • The Blue Mountains is one of only two cities around the world that sit within a World Heritage Area. Increasing accessibility provides equal opportunity and access for all to enjoy the unique and diverse bushland that forms the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
  • The Scenic Eastern Escarpment is an important regional recreational space with over 16km of bush trails. Council will be improving the safety and amenity of a number of shared walking tracks and trails, lookouts, steps and stairs within Knapsack Reserve, including:
    • Lapstone Zig Zag to Siding Lookout (called Top Points Lookout)
    • Marges and Elizabeth Lookouts
    • Elizabeth Lookout Track to Knapsack Bridge
    • Marges Lookout Track to Lennox Bridge
    • Lovers Walk to Mitchells Pass (Whitton Memorial Place)
  • Work on these is due to commence at various stages over the next six months with a planned completion date of September 2022. Council will provide as much onsite notice to reserve users as is possible and will program works to be the least inconvenient to reserve users, providing detours as alternatives where feasible.
  • 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 Masterplan guides future use of the Eastern Escarpment – and can be found via the following links:

You can read our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) to the right and follow the project, simply press the 'Subscribe' button.

*The project will be 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 the Australian and NSW governments, and the eight local Councils of the Western Parkland City.

Update on new accessible Zig Zag to Siding Lookout track

Improvements to Lapstone Zig Zag Walking Track to Siding Lookout - due to start in December 2021 - have been delayed due to rain.

The accessibility upgrade will provide a new inclusive experience for more members of the community and is one component of a $2 million upgrade to nearly two and a half kilometres of lower mountains walking tracks.

The Lapstone Zig Zag to Siding Lookout upgrade includes the construction of a new accessible pathway along the current track alignment, to an upgraded Siding Lookout, providing improved vistas of the Nepean River and across the Cumberland Plain.

Following the historic Zig Zag railway track alignment the path will keep the bushland experience natural and intact as well as making significant heritage features more accessible. This will be the first fully accessible bushland track in the lower Blue Mountains. Currently less than four per cent of bushland walking tracks in the Blue Mountains are wheelchair accessible.

The upgrade to Siding Lookout will wrap the edge of the existing switchback. It will also include seating and interpretive signage, and will address drainage issues.

Council will be formalising some parking at the end of Knapsack Street, with priority given to compliant accessible parking. You can view the proposed parking plan here.

Work is now expected to commence early in 2022 (but is dependent on weather). During works, the track will be closed to the public for safety reasons. There will be no alternative route to connect to Zig Zag. The works must be completed by September 2022.

Designs for the accessible path are now available. The community is also invited to have its say on the colour of the path. Take our quick poll to tell us your preference. The poll closes on Tuesday, 5 October. Council is also looking into options for the texture of the path, in line with accessibility standards.

About the Scenic Eastern Escarpment upgrades

  • A $2 million upgrade to 2.35km of walking tracks in the lower Blue Mountains will make significant heritage features more accessible.
  • This project will not only make these walking tracks in the lower Blue Mountains more accessible to more people, but it will also help open up significant heritage areas.
  • The Blue Mountains is one of only two cities around the world that sit within a World Heritage Area. Increasing accessibility provides equal opportunity and access for all to enjoy the unique and diverse bushland that forms the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
  • The Scenic Eastern Escarpment is an important regional recreational space with over 16km of bush trails. Council will be improving the safety and amenity of a number of shared walking tracks and trails, lookouts, steps and stairs within Knapsack Reserve, including:
    • Lapstone Zig Zag to Siding Lookout (called Top Points Lookout)
    • Marges and Elizabeth Lookouts
    • Elizabeth Lookout Track to Knapsack Bridge
    • Marges Lookout Track to Lennox Bridge
    • Lovers Walk to Mitchells Pass (Whitton Memorial Place)
  • Work on these is due to commence at various stages over the next six months with a planned completion date of September 2022. Council will provide as much onsite notice to reserve users as is possible and will program works to be the least inconvenient to reserve users, providing detours as alternatives where feasible.
  • 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 Masterplan guides future use of the Eastern Escarpment – and can be found via the following links:

You can read our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) to the right and follow the project, simply press the 'Subscribe' button.

*The project will be 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 the Australian and NSW governments, and the eight local Councils of the Western Parkland City.

Page last updated: 20 Jan 2022, 08:29 AM