Sip and stay: Escarpment lookouts plan to boost tourism
Changes afoot at Bulli Pass Scenic Reserve, plus four more decisions from Monday's Wollongong City Council meeting
Wollongong has edged a step closer to reviving two scenic cafes and creating a haven for hikers on the new Great Southern Walk.
At Monday night’s Wollongong City Council meeting, councillors unanimously endorsed a new draft Lookouts Plan of Management (PoM) for Bulli Pass Scenic Reserve. Two key parts of the plan are to permit camping/glamping and offer longer business leases to attract cafe operators.
The plan covers two sections of the reserve:
- Hopetoun Park (3.5 hectares, gazetted as a park in 1900, home to the former Cliffhanger Cafe and Bulli Lookout)
- Lady Fuller Park (2.3 hectares, gazetted as a park in 1925, home to the former Sublime Point Cafe and Sublime Point Lookout).
Both areas already have toilets and picnic spots.
“These parks are great assets that have been under utilised,” Ward 1 Labor Councillor Richard Martin told Monday's meeting.
“I have so many friends that come down here, and I take them to Bulli Lookout, and I also take them to Sublime Point, and it's disappointing that it's been neglected.
“This plan enables council to seek [cafe] tenders which will be longer than 12 months, which I think is fantastic. It'll also be talking about camping in both parks, which is all part of the Great Southern Walk.”
Announced five years ago, the Great Southern Walk will link old and new tracks to form a 67km trail from Sydney, via the Royal National Park coast and Illawarra Escarpment rainforest, ending at Bulli Tops.
As part of the project, a new track of sandstone stairs from Bald Hill to Stanwell Park opened in September 2023. Repairs to the popular Sublime Point track are in progress and expected to finish by the end of November.
Bulli Pass Scenic Reserve is on Crown Land, managed by WCC and surrounded by bushland managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as part of the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.
Council's draft Lookouts PoM will now be referred to NSW Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure – Crown Lands for review. If approved, a public exhibition period of at least 42 days will follow.
Also at July 27's Council meeting:
- Council adopted the Hewitts Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (2026), with a study area covering Bulli and Thirroul. Cr Richard Martin described it as "a fantastic result".
- Councillors agreed to publicly exhibit the revised draft Wollongong Development Control Plan 2009 – Chapter E7 Waste Minimisation and Management, and accompanying draft Development Assessment Guidelines: Waste Minimisation and Management Planning. "I think it's very ambitious, and I hope that it drives change in the industry," Ward 1 Greens Cr Jess Whittaker said.
- The acquisition of 259 Keira Street, Wollongong, which adjoins MacCabe Park, was approved. Deputy Mayor Cr Linda Campbell said: "The acquisition of this property is another important step in strengthening McCabe Park as a central public space for Wollongong, a place for recreation, culture, gathering, and community life."
- Council endorsed the publication of the 2025-26 Annual Report and Assessment of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee in its 2025-2026 Council Annual Report. Ward 2 Labor Cr Thomas Quinn said: "In the world of governance, such a report by esteemed experts is worth so much and a reflection of the 1800 staff who come to work every day to manage more than $7 billion worth of assets on behalf of our community… For those in the community, it's a signal that in a world where they may choose to distrust the running of government, here in Wollongong we continue to be transparent and accountable with our community."
Years of service recognised
Lord Mayor Tania Brown opened the meeting by acknowledging Bob Millward OAM, who is retiring from the Steelers Board and has given 60 years of dedicated service to rugby league. "Few careers in rugby league administration are as storied as that of Bob Millward OAM, affectionately known in rugby league circles as Bobby Steeler," she said. "I congratulate him on an exceptional career."
The Lord Mayor wrapped up with thanks to WCC's outgoing community, culture and engagement manager in Community Services. "I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge the service of Dr Sue Savage, who is retiring from a long and glorious career here at Wollongong City Council. I've had the pleasure and the privilege of being with Sue at many art openings and the theatre. She has been a passionate advocate for not just community service but the arts in our council."
Have your say
Council is asking residents to share their thoughts on:
