Photo: View from Holmes Lookout via NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The South Coast is loved by many for its stunning coastline, fantastic beaches and gorgeous hinterland. But there’s another perspective of the area’s waterways, mountains and sandy shores to be had from the region’s lookouts. As well as offering stunning views, the South Coast’s lookouts are the perfect place to greet the sunrise, revel in the perfection of a sunset, meet some friendly local fauna or explore some excellent walks. Bring a picnic and discover your own little piece of paradise away from the crowds – often you’ll be the only ones there.
Here are some of our favourite lookouts that show the South Coast at its best.
1. Holmes Lookout, Batemans Bay
Holmes Lookout is a short drive from Batemans Bay. Head north over the bridge and turn left onto the Kings Highway. After a couple of kilometres, you’ll see Rotary Drive, which will take you up to the lookout, where you’ll find picnic tables and a fantastic view of the bay.
Set among the beautiful tall gums, it’s also a fantastic spot for birdwatching, particularly early morning and late afternoon. Look out for vibrantly coloured parrots and laughing kookaburras in the branches above. You’ll also see honeyeaters, treecreepers, yellow robin and eastern spinebills.
2. Broulee Lookout, Broulee
You’ll find Broulee Lookout off Heath Street in Broulee. Park at the surf club and walk up the hill, or you can drive all the way up. It’s a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. If you’re there during daylight hours, take a walk across the sand-spit connecting to Broulee Island Nature Reserve. It’s an easy walk through a magnificent coastal landscape.
3. Moruya Heads Lookout, Moruya Heads
From Moruya, turn onto South Head Road from the turnoff opposite the golf course on the Princes Highway. Follow the road for approximately 6 km then turn into Charles Moffit Drive, Coronation Drive and Elizabeth St.
From the lookout, you’ll find brilliant views as well as the perfect location for a spot of whale watching during the season. Remember to bring your binoculars!
4. Big Bit Lookout, Batemans Bay
It can be tricky to find but the view is worth it once you get to the top of Big Bit lookout. You’ll find the turnoff about 14 km north of Batemans Bay on the Princes Highway, but the sign to Big Bit Road is easy to miss. Big Bit Road is unsealed, but it’s quite short (only 4km) and the 360° views from the top make the trip worthwhile. On a clear day, you can see the whole area before you, including Durras Lake and the coastline as well as inland. It’s a great spot to catch the sunrise over the ocean or the sunset behind the mountains.
Photo: View from One Tree Lookout, Tuross Head, via Visit NSW.
5. One Tree Lookout, Tuross Head
The whole of Tuross Head is a magnificently beautiful area but the lookout that juts out over the ocean gives truly impressive views of the coastline and headland. It’s another good spot to see whales and dolphins in season, and also has a grassy picnic area with barbecues, tables and fabulous views. Find the lookout at the end of Hawkins Road, which comes off Hector McWilliam Drive, the main road through Tuross Head. The lookout is an easy stroll from the car park.
When to go
Whale watching season is between September and November, but the coastline of the South Coast is spectacular regardless of the time of year that you go. The views are better on sunny days – rain and mist can obscure the outlook.
Do you have a favourite lookout at the South Coast that you think others should know about? Let us know in the comments.
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