Travel & Touring | WA Things To Do
By: Tatum Stafford
Sometimes, to find Western Australia’s best views, you’ll need to climb a few steps.
Stretching from the far North West to the Great Southern region, WA is overflowing with beautiful forests, oceans, bushland and national parks that appear most impressive from above. And lucky for visitors, there are tons of skywalks, viewing platforms and lookouts across the State to explore.
So if you’re ready to take your next local holiday to the next level (literally), here are 10 of our favourite scenic lookouts in WA.
1. Granite Skywalk, Porongurup National Park
Perched atop the iconic Castle Rock, the Granite Skywalk is comprised of a suspended walkway that spirals around the rock’s granite outcrop, and two lookouts that offer spectacular views of the national park and farmland surrounding Albany. The rock’s tallest point is 670 metres high, making it one of the Porongurup National Park’s tallest climbable peaks.
Access: To reach the skywalk, hop on the 4.4-kilometre return Castle Rock Walk Trail. The walk travels through beautiful marri and karri forests, takes you past the famous Balancing Rock, and offers plenty of spots to rest your legs on the steep climb upwards. Near the summit, you’ll need to scramble under and over granite rocks, and climb a six-metre ladder – so moderate levels of fitness are required.
2. Kelly's Knob Lookout, Kununurra
Boasting panoramic views of Lake Kununurra, Elephant Rock and the Ord River, Kelly’s Knob Lookout is the highest point in Kununurra at 191 metres high. The lookout is a popular spot for picnics, and is also one of the best spots in town to watch the sun set.
Access: The base of the lookout is a short one-kilometre drive from town, and can be accessed via a sealed road which leads to a path with steps. The walk up to the lookout takes around 20 minutes each way, and can be rocky in sections, so enclosed shoes are recommended.
3. Observatory Point and Lookout, Esperance
Esperance’s Observatory Point and Lookout is one of the best vantage points of the sprawling Cape Le Grand National Park, a park famed for its wildflower walks, native wildlife and countless natural attractions. It’s a place of military significance as it was a place of shelter for French explorers in 1792, and is also a fantastic spot for whale-watching from June to October.
Access: There’s plenty of parking close to the lookout steps, and it’s a gentle climb to reach the top vantage point.
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4. Oxer Lookout, Karijini
Karijini National Park is one of WA’s most remarkable destinations, and the Oxer Lookout is one of the best vantage points of the park’s impressive gorges, chasms and crystal-clear rock pools. This lookout isn’t one for the faint of heart, as if you peek over the edge you’ll see gorge walls that plunge 100 metres to a floor of pools and layered rocks.
Access: From the Weano Gorge car park, it’s a short 15-minute walk to reach the Oxer Lookout. After you’ve enjoyed the view, make your way over to the neighbouring Junction Pool Lookout, which you can reach on the 800-metre walk trail that connects the two lookouts.
5. Mount Brown Lookout, York
Sitting 342 metres above sea level, the towering Mount Brown is a short drive from the York townsite, and provides 360-degree views of York and its beautiful surrounding bushland. The neighbouring Mount Bakewell is best viewed up here, and you’ll also be treated to beautiful wattle acacia, wild pittosporum and mulla mullas that have regrown within rocks near the lookout platform.
Access: There’s a car park at the base of the lookout’s steps, or a longer walk trail if you’d prefer to explore more of the town before climbing Mount Brown. A moderate level of fitness is recommended, as the trail follows firebreaks and some rocky surfaces. Just before the lookout point sits a picnic and barbeque area, perfect for a sunset dinner.
6. Kalbarri Skywalk
Located in the impressive Kalbarri National Park, this picturesque skywalk is one of WA’s newest lookouts – and definitely makes a statement with its twin 100-metre-high viewpoints of the sweeping Murchison Gorge below. As well as the incredible views, visitors to the skywalk can learn about traditional Nanda heritage and culture through a series of interpretive signs, and view a collection of statues depicting local fauna.
Access: The skywalk provides easy access for wheelchairs and prams as the pathways are flat and at the same level as the twin platforms. It’s an easy 100-metre walk between the platforms.
7. Roebuck Bay Lookout, Broome
Located in Broome’s Chinatown, the recently completed Roebuck Bay Lookout provides beautiful views over Dampier Creek and Roebuck Bay (including its famous mangroves). The viewing platform features interesting artwork and interpretive information about the area, created by local high school students and Yawuru Traditional Owners.
Access: There’s a car park near the lookout entry, with access for wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
8. Mount Frankland Wilderness Lookout, Walpole
For a truly unique view of the Walpole forest, head for the 411-metre-high Mount Frankland Wilderness Lookout. Nestled amongst karri, jarrah and tingle trees, the lookout offers uninterrupted views of the sprawling natural landscape, and is one of three key sites that forms the Walpole Wilderness Discovery Centre – the other two are the Swarbrick art in the forest, and the famous Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk.
Access: It’s a short, 600-metre walk from the car park to the lookout – and in spring, the walk trail is a hotspot for native wildflowers. The lookout is wheelchair accessible.
9. Lions Lookout Walk, Lesmurdie
Though it takes a bit of effort to reach this lookout, the views you’ll enjoy of the scenic Korung National Park are well worth it. This four-kilometre walk trail follows four-wheel drive tracks within rich jarrah forest, and involves a gradual ascent to the 600-metre-high lookout point. On the way up, you’ll be treated to beautiful wildflowers (in springtime), other local fauna and numerous glimpses of the Perth CBD – though none compare to the spectacular lookout point.
Access: There’s a car park at the trail’s entry point. A moderate level of fitness is recommended as sections can be quite steep. Take extra care if completing the trail in wet weather.
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10. Radio Hill Lookout, Newman
Located in the mining town of Newman, Radio Hill Lookout provides a 360-degree view over the Newman township, and a glimpse at the Mount Whaleback mine site in the distance. It’s a brilliant spot to catch a Pilbara sunset, thanks to the red dust that surrounds the town and appears to melt into the sun’s yellow tones as it sets.
Access: It’s a short drive up the hill from the Newman Visitor Centre to reach the lookout. There’s plenty of observation space at the lookout, as well as a few sheltered tables and barbeques that are perfect for a sunset picnic.
Last updated: February 2021
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