Upgraded lookout set to rival world's best

Albany is set to boast a "world-class" lookout rivalling those in Colorado's Grand Canyon and Norway's fjords, according to the Department of Parks and Wildlife regional park and visitors' services leader Mike Shepherd.

Mr Shepherd said $5.15 million worth of upgrades to The Gap and Natural Bridge in Torndirrup Natural Park would have "serious wow factor".

"We are going to deliver something comparable in complexity of design, standard and appeal to those lookouts," he said.

"It will be an absolute triumph, a major drawcard for the City of Albany and tourism asset for the region."

Mr Shepherd hosted a works update at the sites yesterday, which were closed last November for new walkways, lookouts, signs and a picnic area to be installed.

The upgrades were slated to be completed by the end of this month but have been delayed until November 18 due to adverse weather conditions.

"When it is blowing a gale and pouring with rain, it makes it hard to pour concrete but they are going flat strap," he said.

Mr Shepherd said it had also taken longer than expected to import more than 20 tonnes of marine-grade stainless-steel from Sweden, but the ship carrying the steel was expected to dock in Fremantle in mid-July.

The steel sheets will be cut and welded into six support beams, then transported to Albany in mid-August and installed using a 100-tonne crane.

More than 40 cores have been drilled to 7m-9m depths into the granite using a diamond-tipped drill rig, and 15 main rock anchors are in place to secure the lookout to the rock.

"Visitors will be able to stand 3m off the edge of the rock over the lip of The Gap and look through a graded floor to the ocean 40m below," Mr Shepherd said.

"You will see the full impact of the waves, the full apex of The Gap and the majesty of the ocean - it will be impressive."

Mr Shepherd said works to the Natural Bridge, which include a platform, railings and two benches, were 85 per cent complete.