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 LookoutView of the cliffs from the lookoutMemorial to those who lost their lives off Cape Hawke
Located on Bridge St, not far from Circular Quay, the Museum of Sydney focuses on the history of the city with an emphasis on the impact white settlement had and still has on Aboriginal People.
Bust of Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet and the First Governor of Australia
Getting There
As with many attractions in Sydney, public transport is the easiest and cheapest way to travel. We caught the Light Rail from Central Station, getting off the Bridge Street stop. From here, it was an easy 5-minute walk to the museum.
Entry
Entry was free with staff only requesting a post code to see where visitors were from.
Exhibits
Edge of Trees
Located in the museum’s forecourt, these 29 pillars represent 29 clans from the Sydney area.
Edge of Trees
The First Fleet
The first display we saw was a series of scale models of the first fleet. This impressive display had each ship represented along with a short description and history. Many of the names of these ships are commemorated in Royal Australian Navy ships and Sydney Harbour ferries.
Model ships of the First FleetHMS Sirius Flagship of the First Fleet
Government House
A model of the original Government House shows how the site appeared in the 1780s. This building was the centre of colonial administration for 57 years until replaced by the new Government House.
Located in the museum’s forecourt on Bridge Street, a glass-fronted display provides a view of subterranean remains of the first Government House. Inside the museum, near the gift shop, additional glass panels in the floor provide glimpses of archaeological remains, including foundations and drains.
Model of the First Government HouseModel of the First Government House
Special Exhibition: The Sydney Opera House
The top floor of the Museum houses rotating displays, often with an aboriginal theme. During our visit, the Sydney Opera House’ 50th anniversary was being celebrated. As a result, there was a large exhibition detailing its history.
This exhibit only runs until 12 November 2023, when it will be replaced by a new series of displays.
Lego Model of the Opera HouseWoven Model of the Opera HousePosters of shows held at the Sydney Opera HouseCostume worn by Dame Joan Sutherland in Lucrezia Borgia
Located on the New South Wales Central Coast in Brisbane Water National Park, Elephant Rock is less than five-minutes drive from Patonga, 25 minutes from Gosford or 1 Hour 20 minutes from Sydney by car.
There are several ways to reach Elephant Rock, depending on how far you want to walk, or what other tracks you want to take. Having walked the Pearl Beach to Patonga Track before, we chose a short path off Patonga Drive.
Apparently, the rock looks like an elephant from some directions, but a drone view seems to be the best way to see it. It also gives great views over Brisbane Water and the surrounding forest.
After parking in a small siding only big enough for two cars we followed a narrow track into the bush. Although only a short walk, the track was very narrow, often requiring climbing over boulders. If you are not stable on your feet, this is not a track for you.
The narrow bush trackLichen cover rock on the track
Arriving at elephant rock not long after sunrise, we found the views over Brisbane Water covered in fog. Although disappointed not to see the view, the atmosphere was great with the fog rolled in, slowly covering the forest and then the rock.
Mist rolling over the forestMist rolling over Elephant RockElephant Rock
Wild Flowers
Many native species were in flower when we walked here in June 2023. This was a great bonus and very colourful, with the trail surrounded by colour the whole way.
Grass tree on Elephant RockBanksia in flowerBanksia in flowerRed Five-Corners (Styphelia tubiflora)
After returning to our car, we continued on to Patonga where we bought coffee and relaxed on the beach before returning home.
Patonga BeachFishing boat moored off Patonga
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
