The construction of Karuah's reborn rock roadhouse will start this month with the aim of being complete in time for the booming Christmas-new year trade.
The landmark south-bound site originally opened in 1990 as part of Leyland Brothers World, which included a replica of Uluru.
A massive fire destroyed the site and the adjoining service centre in August 2018.
Coastal Service Centres spokesman Luke Roberts said it was exciting to see the site on the verge of coming full-circle.
"We want to get it back to what the Leyland Brothers had," he said.
"The M1 to Raymond Terrace bypass is about to open so it's a great time to get the business operating."
"We are building kids playgrounds and those sorts of facilities, so hopefully everyone will get used to stopping here."
The Drayton Group has been appointed as the principal contractor for the 24-week construction.
"The plan is to get into the new buildings and get rid of the demountables. Then we will build the drive-throughs," Mr Roberts said.
He said negotiations were underway with a number of food operators who were keen to lease space at the site.
The south-bound service centre will be the first major development on the stretch of Pacific Highway between the Mid-North Coast and the Central Coast since the 24-hour service centre opened at Taree in 2008.
Planning is also underway for a north-bound roadhouse, which is expected to be built in about two years.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Transport for NSW has previously identified the Station Creek rest area, just north of Karuah, as a suitable site for service amenities on the Pacific Highway.
The president of the NSW Livestock Bulk and Rural Carriers Association, Wade Lewis, endorsed the proposal, which is consistent with the state government's rest area strategy.
"The amount of freight on our roads is expected to double by 2030; we urgently need more service rest areas where heavy vehicles can stop," he said.
"What I like about it is they have really thought about the future needs and designed it for higher productivity vehicles."
"It complements what is happening at Cooranbong, which is the first decent rest opportunity when you are coming from western NSW."
Meanwhile, work is continuing on the twin service centres on the M1 motorway at Cooranbong.
Fuel and convenience chain OTR is building the $50 million service centres, which will include 24-hour petrol stations, as well as McDonald's, Hungry Jack's, KFC, and Taco Bell outlets.
