Queen Elizabeth II Lookout

The “Queen Elizabeth II Lookout” is another favourite place to stop when travelling around Norfolk Island. The Lookout is down Rooty Hill Road, the viewpoint has a magnificent view of Kingston Historic Area, the Norfolk Island Golf Club and ocean view out to Phillip Island and Nepean Island.

Queen Elizabeth II visited Norfolk Island on her Royal Tour in 1974 travelling on the Royal yacht Britannia. This was the first visit of a a reigning Monarch and during her visit the Royal family made a tour of the historic areas in Kingston and Her Majesty laid a wreath on the cenotaph and officially named the “Queen Elizabeth II Lookout”.

This year the historic sight was upgraded earlier this year and during May and June I took a few photographs while visiting the site to record the recent changes. There are now picnic tables and Ian Kenny memorial seat has been re-instated with a new seat crafted by local tradesmen.

The lookout is one of my favourite places to sit and watch for whales or photograph Kingston from above, especially during the 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay in March. On 8^th September this year, after the bereavement of Queen Elizabeth II, I left a bunch of flowers from my garden at Her Majesty’s memorial plaque at the lookout site. The lookout also gives a great view of the recent flooded wetlands, during ship visits and I even took a few photos on Bounty Day, which was fantastic to view from up the hillside as the community walked along Quality Row and back across the Golf Club greens.

This is an extract from the 1974 Royal visit.

http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC5H23T_queen-elizabeth-lookout

“The first visit to Norfolk Island by a reigning Monarch was on the 11^{th of} February 1974 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Norfolk Island. The Royal

yacht Britannia anchored in Sydney Bay in the early hours on 11 February 1974 and Her Majesty was transported ashore in an Administration Launch. Her Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness the Prince Philip (Duke of Edinburgh), Her Royal Highness the Princess Anne, and Captain Mark Phillips. The Royal Party made a tour of the historic areas in Kingston during which the Queen laid a wreath on the cenotaph and named the “Queen Elizabeth Lookout”.”

Norfolk Island has strong links with the monarchy. “Queen Elizabeth Avenue” is named in the Queen’s honour upon Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II coronation on 2nd June 1953. A wonderful sign can be viewed, at the beginning of the avenue where the road meets Taylor Road. The plaque celebrates the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 4th June 2012. On Cascade side of Norfolk Island is “Prince Philip Drive” with another lookout with a plaque for Prince Philip, who died on 9^th April 2021. Norfolk Island also has the beautiful “Queen Victoria Gardens” on Queen Elizabeth Avenue, which is where we celebrated her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Diamond Jubilee on Queen’s birthday weekend this year.

Here are a few photographs of the new signage and fenced off picnic area at “Queen Elizabeth II Lookout”. I am sure Her Majesty would have enjoyed the view from the lookout during her 1974 visit. I hope you have an opportunity to stop and sit on the seats and enjoy the view out to sea as well.

Betty Matthews

October 2022