Tourists and residents lapping up the view from Cliff Rd's newest lookout reckon the pedestrian promenade and timber viewing platform are worth every cent of the $1.1 million spent building them.
The only criticism from those using the viewing deck is that the structure hadn't been built sooner.
Wollongong City Council unveiled the viewing deck and the first stage of the walkway between Belmore Basin and Georges Place just before Christmas. When the rain clouds lifted last week, there was no shortage of people keen to check out the new tourism drawcard.
Stylish Cliff Rd promenade unveiled
Blue Mile gets green thumbs upRetiree John Refalo lives directly across the road from the platform and is already becoming a regular visitor to the newly installed seats with a million-dollar view over Belmore Basin.
"I love this spot. They have done a beautiful job," he said.
His new acquaintance, Dawn Coleshill of North Wollongong, was enjoying the view to the rock pool at the bottom of the hill, where she swims every week.
"This is the first time I have come and sat here," she said.
"After coming past on the bus and watching it take shape, I love it."
Work on the second stage of the promenade - between Georges Place and North Wollongong Beach - will start after summer, bringing the project's total cost to $3.7 million.
The Federal Government contributed $2.9 million under the economic stimulus program, while the council has paid the remainder
Frank and Gina Barila of Unanderra were looking forward to showing off the spot to their next lot of overseas visitors.
"It is beautiful and it is a long time overdue," Mrs Barila said.
"This really displays Wollongong and its beauty. Before, the path was quite narrow and there are too many cyclists down the bottom if you just want to go for a walk. Wollongong needed this."
Mrs Barila was impressed with the image of Belmore Basin, and the harbour had been transformed from the harbour she remembered from her childhood, when her dad operated a fishing boat.
"We need something like this, especially for the tourists," Mr Barila added.
For Paula Tran of Liverpool, the shaded timber deck was a pleasant surprise while walking along the foreshore with her family.
"We just stumbled across it. My daughter fell asleep so we have been here for the past hour and it is really nice."
Email a friend