Lookouts have always been popular spots for dates. However, with outdoor exercise becoming a regular part of people’s days and weeks, the tracks leading to lookouts are more in demand than ever before.
Whatever the reason you’re looking for Wollongong lookouts with amazing views, we have the most popular spots you’ll want to add to your list. From bird watching, learning about Illawarra history, casual strolls on paved paths and the health kick from many of the challenging walks, there is a type of lookout in the region for almost anyone.
Disclaimer: Remember to abide by your local lockdown and stay-at-home orders. This may limit access to these Wollongong lookouts and walking tracks, depending on current ordinances.
7 Most Popular Wollongong Lookouts
1. Sublime Point Lookout
Located: 661 Princes Hwy, Maddens Plains NSW 2508
The Sublime Point Lookout in Maddens Plains is ideal for fit walkers looking for a hard trek. While the suggested walk time is 45 minutes, it’s well worth it, with 180-degree views over 17 of Wollongong’s beaches.
As one of the few tracks linking to the coastal foothills and plateau, the Sublime Point walking track isn’t for the faint hearted. It branches off Gibson’s track, ascending sharply to the lookout. You’ll need to use the steel ladder up the jagged cliff lines to ascend the top of the climb.
Amenities at Sublime Point Lookout
- Barbecues.
- Picnic shelters.
- Toilets.
- Car park.
- Sublime Point Café is open Wednesday to Sunday.
2. Bald Hill Lookout
Location: Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Otford NSW 2508
The Bald Hill Lookout is one of the most popular in all of the Illawarra region. Its spectacular views make it a prime spot for hang gliding, as well as casual trips or even a proposal.
Of course, Bald Hill is also where aviation legend and Australian inventor of the box kite, Lawrence Hargrave, flew his invention for the first time. To mark the occasion, there is now a memorial cairn dedicated to this achievement from 12 November 1894 at the peak of the hill near the car park.
One of the things to see from Bald Hill Lookout is also the Sea Cliff Bridge, which spans the 140 km of the award-winning Grand Pacific Drive. The lookout also wheelchair friendly, with paved walking paths and disabled parking spaces.
Amenities at Bald Hill Lookout
- Car park.
- Picnic tables.
- Paved walkways.
- Café open Tuesday to Thursday.
- Hang gliding available for a fee.
3. Sea Cliff Bridge
Location: 199-229 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Coalcliff NSW 2508
Add the stunning 665m long famous Sea Cliff Bridge walk to your bucket list. Even the drive itself is as scenic as they come, with 140km of coastal views from the Royal National Park to Nowra.
While you can walk the paved bridge, there is also the not-so-secret Sea Cliff Bridge Lookout. The lookout is not deemed as safe due to regular mudslides and rock falls, with several deaths each year due to falling rocks or falls. For this reason, we will not be sharing how to find the Sea Cliff Bridge Lookout. Safety first!
4. Royal National Park
Location: Sir Bertram Stevens Dr, Royal National Park NSW 2233
The Royal National Park is a short 43-minute drive from Wollongong or 46-minutes from Sydney, and is open 7:00am ’til 7:00pm every day. It’s only $12 per vehicle per day to enter the park, with vehicles with more than 8 seats set at $4.40 per adult and $2.20 per child per day.
There are more than 10 walking tracks of varying difficulty in the park, including some beach tracks, coastline lookouts, vantage points and other amazing views. However, it’s best to check the National Parks website to make sure there are no current closures to visitors during daylight hours.
3 Top Lookouts at Royal National Park Wollongong
Curra Moors Track
The Curra Moors Track is one of the Royal National Parks more difficult bushwalks, measured a grade 4 out of 5. This 10km walking track will take you around 4 to 5 hours, and there are some short steep hills, so it’s advised to be an experience bushwalker.
Curra Moors Track takes you through the woodlands, to Curracurrong Waterfall and along the coastal track south of Garie North Head. Whale season is mid-May to late-November in Wollongong, so keep an eye out along the stunning coastal lookout. For another lookout, take the short detour to Eagle Rock.
Providential Point Lookout
The Providential Point Lookout is one of the easier tracks in the national park, with only a 1.6km 45-minute return walk. This is one of the region’s most popular lookouts for coastal views, looking over the large cliffs and Wattamolla Beach.
Pack a picnic to stop at the Northern End Wattamolla Picnic Ground. There are also toilets about 600m from the car park. You’ll need to pay a fee to park.
Bungoona Lookout Point
If you’re after an easily accessible lookout that offers spectacular views, pencil in the 30-minute Bungoona Lookout. The short .92km return journey along the ridge top leads you to a panoramic view over the Hacking River, with a wheelchair-accessible concrete path leading to the Bungoona lookout.
Only a short distance away is Reids Flat Picnic Area, so it’s a good morning or afternoon out near Wollongong.
Amenities in the Royal National Park
- Visitor Centre at Audley, which offers tourist information, walking track maps and other practical information.
- Audley Dance Hall Café.
- Garie Beach picnic area.
- Various picnic areas, including Bonnie Vale picnic area, Pool Flat picnic area, Reids Flat picnic area and more.
- Day tours.
- Cycling tracks.
And more.
5. Mount Keira Lookout
Location: Keira Summit Track, Mount Keira NSW 2500
For one of the most scenic views over Wollongong, Mt. Kembla and Lake Illawarra, you need to make the trip up the high mountain to the Mt. Keira Lookout. Mount Keira towers 463.9 metres over the Wollongong CBD and is part of the Illawarra escarpment.
You can both walk and drive up Mount Keira, taking Mt Keira Road. The Mt Keira Ring Track takes you through varied terrains, but there is a scenic picnic spot at the top and bottom for breaks. You’ll also find a kiosk for coffee and light meals, as well as barbecues and public toilets. It’s one of the best lookouts in New South Wales, and is accessible 7 days a week.
Mount Keira is known as Djera to the local Dharawal people, which means large lagoon or high mountain. Coal was found at Mount Keira in 1839, with underground tunnels created to deliver the coal, which was deemed the finest coal in the world by the local newspaper.
Amenities at Mount Keira
- Access for people with a disability.
- Picnic spots.
- Barbecues.
- Picnic tables.
- Public toilets.
- Kiosk.
6. Port Kembla Hill 60 Lookout
Location: Military Rd, Port Kembla NSW 2505
A 15-minute drive south of Wollongong is the Port Kembla Lookout Hill 60. While the walking track to Hill 60 is narrow, it’s well worth it with stunning views over this stunning region of New South Wales. In the deep foothills of Hill 60 are fortifications built during the early time of World War II. While there are no longer large guns, you can still see the concrete bunkers connected to a series of underground tunnels not open to the public.
Hill 60 is a heritage-listed Aboriginal site, which overlooks many Aboriginal shell middens, giving visitors an insight into the beaches the local Aboriginal community fished commercial up until the 1940s. Conservation management plans are in place to ensure any facilities and walking tracks at Hill 60 do not impede on the importance and history of the location.
Amenities at Hill 60
- Picnic tables.
- Public toilets.
7. Jamberoo Lookout
Location: Budderoo National Park
Located in the Budderoo National Park is the Jamberoo Lookout. On clear days, you’ll be treated to views of the entire region, including Illawarra and Five Islands. Park entry fees apply into the Minnamurra Rainforest, but if you’re making a day of exploring where the mountains meet the coast, it’s well worth exploring.
The walk to Jamberoo Lookout is considered a medium-level for accessibility by National Parks NSW. Pets and smoking are also not allowed at the lookout or the journey there.
Of course, what’s a day hiking without a pitstop at a café. If you’re in Wollongong looking for a café near you, check out Localsearch.com.au.
More from Sarah 
