Sydney's Circular Quay has received a multi-million dollar boost for its much-needed facelift with work due to start in 2019, the state government has announced.

An upfront payment of $192 million has been secured following the sale of the rights to the ground lease rental income at Darling Quarter for 30 years, said Minister for Finance, Services and Property Dominic Perrottet in a statement on Monday.

“The ferry wharves are long overdue for a facelift, and now we have secured almost the full $200 million we promised to make them shine again,” he said.

Early preliminary work has started on the upgrade, with construction set to begin in two years time.