Point Lookout

Perched atop the Great Dividing Range in the New England National Park, Point Lookout offers one of the most breathtaking panoramas in New South Wales. At 1,564 metres above sea level, this is the highest point in the park, and on a clear day you can see all the way to the coast, some 80 kilometres away. The air is crisp and scented with eucalyptus, and the silence is broken only by the wind and the calls of lyrebirds. It's a place that demands you stop, breathe, and take in the vastness of the Australian bush.

Highlights & What to See

• Lookout Platform: The main attraction is the expansive viewing platform, which provides 360-degree views of the park's wilderness, including the Bellinger Valley and the distant Pacific Ocean. It's especially magical at sunrise or sunset.
• Lyrebird Walk: A short, easy trail from the carpark leads through cool temperate rainforest where you might hear (and see) the superb lyrebird mimicking other birds and even camera shutters.
• Wollomombi Falls: A 15-minute drive away, these are among the highest waterfalls in Australia, plunging 220 metres into the gorge. The viewing platform offers a dizzying perspective.
• Wildlife Spotting: Keep an eye out for wallabies, wombats, and a variety of birdlife. The park is also home to the elusive platypus in its streams.
• Self-Guided Drives: The scenic loop through the park, including the Point Lookout Road and the Lyrebird and Wollomombi Falls walks, makes for a perfect half-day self-drive from Armidale or Dorrigo.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend 1–2 hours at the lookout itself, including the Lyrebird Walk. To fully appreciate the area, allocate a full day to combine Point Lookout with Wollomombi Falls and a picnic in the park. If you're a keen photographer or birdwatcher, an early morning or late afternoon visit will reward you with the best light and wildlife activity.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• New England National Park: Explore more of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest, with its extensive walking tracks and camping grounds.
• Dorrigo National Park: Just an hour's drive east, this park features the Skywalk, a raised walkway through the canopy, and the stunning Dangar Falls.
• Armidale: A charming university town with art galleries, museums, and excellent cafés, about 90 minutes north.
• Bellingen: A bohemian riverside village with a vibrant food scene and markets, perfect for a relaxed stopover.
• Coffs Harbour: If you're heading to the coast, this popular beach destination is about two hours east, offering beaches, the Big Banana, and the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

Please check official sources for current details.