The infamous staircase, which was first shut off to the public in May 2015, is expected to be reopened to walkers in July.  

The staircase was first shut off after the old infrastructure was deemed unsafe following heavy rains in early 2015, which Parks Victoria said had caused the steps and landings to shift.  

The existing slopes had been in place for more than 30 years.

In a statement, Parks Victoria district manager Tony English said the works would be completed next month, “subject to weather conditions”.

“We’re looking forward to seeing visitors using the new staircase very soon, and we thank the community for their patience during the site closure and construction.”

The completion of the stairs will bring to an end what has been an expensive and time-consuming process for Parks Victoria, which awarded the $400,000 contract to Campbellfield group Infracon late last year.

While initial predictions suggested the new staircase would be operational by May, completion times were pushed back due to poor weather.  

The issue of slow progress was previously raised in state parliament last year by Macedon Ranges MP Mary-Anne Thomas.  

Owners of Sailors Falls Estate Robert McDonald said while the extended closure had been particularly frustrating for bushwalkers and tourists, it was pleasing to see the job would soon be completed to a high quality. 

The closure of the staircase had forced bushwalkers to walk several extra kilometres in order to gain access to the trails which begin at the bottom of the falls.   

“It’s a massive project, far bigger than I ever envisaged,” Mr McDonald said.  

“From a bushwalking point of view it's been a bit of a disaster but at least this will be open permanently and it will give great access to the base of the falls and all of the walking tracks which start down there.”