The Captain Cook Lookout

Norfolk's north coast keeps its discovery ground: the Captain Cook Lookout marks the 1774 sighting with monument and platform above the island's wildest shore - basalt cliffs taking the swell in white columns, red-tailed tropicbirds and boobies riding the updrafts at eye level, and the coastal reserve's pine-and-palm forest running walking tracks along the clifftops toward rock arches and cathedral formations offshore. The lookout's picnic ground serves the classic island afternoon; the seabird traffic serves the photographers; and the shore below reminds everyone why landings happened elsewhere. The monument stands on the clifftop reserve with the north coast running away on both sides.

Highlights

• The discovery monument - 1774 marked on the platform.
• The cliff columns - swell exploding on basalt.
• The tropicbird traffic - red tails at eye level.
• The reserve tracks - clifftop pines to the arches.

When to go

October to April, the warmer season; mornings fly the most seabirds and the clearest light.

Things to know

Cliff edges run honest - rails where provided, sense where not; the shore below is viewing, never swimming.

Nearby

The national park's pines, Anson Bay and Burnt Pine.