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Tag: Forster

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Bennetts Head Lookout

View from the Lookout

Bennetts Head Lookout

Located on the Bicentenial Way in Forster New South Wales, Bennetts Head Lookout is a popular place for whale watching during migration season. We were lucky and saw a few swimming south, but they were too far out to get a good look. Several tour operators provide whale watching trips locally, with one of the operators using the lookout to spot whales and direct the boats.

Getting There

Parking is available next to the main lookout on Bennetts Head Road. Alternately, the lookout would make a great rest stop if you were walking the Bicentennial Track.

The Lookout

As well as whales the lookout gives great views down the coast and over the ocean. As well as the main viewing platform near the road, several others are located a little further along the Bicentennial Track only a few minutes walk away. Some whale watchers had been there for several hours and mentioned that whales had swum in closer to the shore earlier. Unfortunately during our visit, they decided to stay out at sea.

This is a great lookout, especially during the whale migration when newly born calves swim south with the adults to the Antarctic.

View from the Lookout
View from the Lookout
View from Bennetts Head Lookout
View of the cliffs from the lookout
Memorial to those who lost their lives off Cape Hawke
Memorial to those who lost their lives off Cape Hawke
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Cape Hawke Lookout Track

The view from the top of the lookout tower

Cape Hawke Lookout Track NSW Australia

Named after First Lord of the Admiralty, Edward Hawke by Captain Cook (a Lieutenant at the time), the Cape Hawke Lookout Track is on the northern end of the Booti Booti National Park. With only a 10-minute drive to travel the 11km from the centre of Forster, it was easy to find. Parking is available in a small carpark at the start of the track, but this will fill up quickly on a busy day. From here it’s uphill for 500m with 420 steps to the top. Don’t be put off by the climb, as there is a bench seat provided to sit and rest on before tackling the rest of the climb.

Maintained by NSW National Parks and Wildlife, the track was in very good condition during our visit. Trees have regrown around the 8m tower, but the view is still amazing and worth the climb.

The area is covered with littoral rain forest that is quite dense and very shady on a hot day. Although we heard animals moving through the vegetation, all we saw were some brush turkeys.

The walk downhill back to the car was much easier than going uphill.

Start of the track uphill Cape Hawke Lookout Track
Start of the track uphill
Memorial to James Cook naming Cape Hawke on 12 May 1770
Memorial to James Cook naming Cape Hawke on 12 May 1770
The lookout tower Cape Hawke Lookout Track
The lookout tower
The view from the top of the lookout tower
The view from the top of the lookout tower
View of Forster from the lookout tower
View of Forster from the lookout tower
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The Tanks

Waves coming over the rocks

The Tanks

Located on the New South Wales mid-north town of Forster, The Tanks are a rock formation and rock pool. The name comes from the water tanks that were placed here in the 1890’s during the construction of the Forster breakwater. The water was used for steam strains that hauled rock from Bennetts Head to the site.

With the water tanks long gone, the area forms a natural swimming area protected from the ocean swell by the rock formation. At high tide it is completely full of water, but becomes shallower as the tide retreats. Depending on the surf, some waves crash over the rocks, adding fun for those swimming there.

We parked on Head Street next to Bicentennial Park which has a lovely grassed area, barbecue facilities and toilets. Pebbly Beach is close by and opposite the park. Remember to be careful in this area as the beaches are not patrolled by lifeguards.

Rock structure forming the Tanks
Rock structure forming the swimming hole
Swimming Hole
Swimming Hole
Swimming Hole
Swimming Hole
Waves coming over the rocks
Waves coming over the rocks
Rocky beach next to the Tanks
Pebbly Beach