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Gan Gan Lookout Port Stephens

View towards the Stockton Sand Dunes Gan Gan Lookout

Gan Gan Lookout Port Stephens

Located on the Tomaree Peninsula, Gan Gan Lookout gives amazing views over Nelson Bay, Tomaree National Park and the Stockton Sand Dunes. There are also great views over the Katich River and out to both Tomaree and Yacaaba Headlands.

Getting there is only a five- minute drive from Nelson Bay where a narrow track takes you to the lookout. At the top of the track, is a small car park. To the right of the car park, a small viewing platform gives views towards Stockton Sand Dunes. The dunes are visible in the distance surrounded by Australian coastal forest.

To the left of the car park, a track leads to the main viewing area with excellent views over the surrounding area. Binoculars mounted at both platforms (which need to be paid for to use), let you get a better view of distant objects.

Because of its elevation, several large communication towers are also here. Although not most people’s idea of an attraction, there are still interesting because of the numerous transmitters and receivers covering them.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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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.

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.