Captain Cook Lookout, Copacabana

Captain Cook Lookout is a scenic viewpoint found on the NSW Central Coast, roughly 20 minutes from Gosford. Jutting out from Tudibaring Head, Captain Cook Lookout offers sweeping views up and down the coast; on a clear day, views extend from Norah Head in the north all the way down to the skyscrapers of the Sydney CBD.

With such extensive views, Captain Cook Lookout is also considered one of the best places in NSW to watch humpback whales as they migrate along the coast. The large viewing platform offers a great vantage point from which you might spot whales swimming close to the headland between late May and early August.

Just below the lookout lies Copacabana beach, one of the Central Coast’s most picturesque beaches. Watch local surfers catching waves towards the northern end of the beach, or spot people kayaking and snorkelling in huge Cockrone Lagoon, just behind the sands of Copacabana Beach. Neighbouring Bouddi National Park is also a great spot for bird watching, bushwalking, or a quiet picnic in lush surrounds.