Captain Cook Reserve, Lower Lookout Re-Opened

The Norfolk Island National Park staff maintain a lovely picnic area at Captain Cook Lookout Memorial Reserve and is a favourite recreation area for many people. When I visit, I also like the viewing area to watch the coastal birds as well as watching passing whales or turtles in the water below.

During 2023 the lower viewing platform has been closed to the public awaiting repairs as it was considered a risk to public safety. I am unsure of the exact date the lower lookout was closed, but I know it was many months ago.

Early in December 2023 the upgraded lower lookout was re-opened and on 10 December my husband and I drove out to Captain Cook Reserve and was impressed with the wonderful new wooden deck and steps.

Early in November 2023, the Duncombe Bay Roadway was also re-opened after being closed for many months for roadway maintenance. It is fantastic to have this area of Norfolk Island once again opened to the visitors.

Thank you to the workers and maintenance crew and Parks managers and staff who have a achieved the reopening of the lovely Captain Cook Reserve lower lookout in time for Christmas.

The Reserve is named after the British explorer James Cook, arriving on Norfolk Island on the 10 October 1774. The landing place can be viewed from the picnic area, Cook anchored the HMS Resolution in the area known as “The Cord”, looking towards Duncombe Bay.

If you wander down the grassy slope you will come to a stone cairn which was erected in 1953. The plaque reads “Captain James Cook, RN, on his second voyage around the world discovered and named this island, Norfolk Isle, landing in the Vicinity of this point on October 10, 1774.”

Cook was the first European to sight Norfolk Island while sailing in command of the HMS Resolution from New Caledonia to New Zealand. Cook took possession of the Isle as he had done with all the others he had discovered and named it “Norfolk Isles” in honour of that noble family. Next morning Cook came ashore and gave his first detailed description of the Island. The tall Norfolk Pine was of value to England and needed for the ship building and flax plants for sails for the English ships.

The National Park walkways are linked to the Captain Cook Lookout Memorial Reserve, this is great walk if you wish to explore the coastal tracks in the Norfolk Island National Park. For the fit and energetic walkers, they can enjoy the walks along the Bridal Track and Red Road tracks. These walks start up Mt Pitt Road from the Mount Pitt to Mount Bates Summit Tracks. Another lovely picnic area is Palm Glen and the walkways along Palm Glen also link into the coastal tracks, or you can start your return walk from Red Road entry. If hiking the walkways, consider your fitness for walking a hilly track that follows the coastal hills and bush areas. Please take refreshments, water, food, and always check weather conditions and take weather protection and sun protection. Plus, remember your camera to capture the lovely walkway.

It is fantastic that the lower lookout and the Duncombe Bay Road has been repaired and many locals and visitors will be able to enjoy a picnic at the Captain Cook Lookout Memorial Reserve and read the history of “The Cord”, where James Cook sailing on the HMS Resolution, arrived on 10 October 1774, next year in October, will be the 250 anniversary of Cook’s arrival.

Thank you, to the Norfolk Island National Park managers, staff, the builders and maintenance staff and engineers who have managed the lower lookout and Duncombe Bay Road repairs this year and the reports leading up to the work completed during 2023. I am sure we all appreciate the work involved in repairing the wooden platform and the sections of the park’s roadway

Betty Matthews

December 2023