West Head Lookout

Client
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Year
2022–2023
A significant upgrade ensures safety for visitors, maintains spectacular views, and celebrates heritage.
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Image:

Simon Wood

Image:

Simon Wood

Image:

Simon Wood

Image:

Simon Wood

Image:

Simon Wood

Situated on Garigal Country within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, West Head Lookout is a major Sydney destination with sweeping views.

Constructed in 1965, a 2021 assessment of the lookout’s condition identified structural and safety risks to visitors, so strengthening works to the existing retaining wall and a new barrier to address fall risks were required. The new design balances the heritage and landscape character of West Head Lookout with visitor safety.

Working closely with the original designer, Bruce Mackenzie, OCULUS coordinated the detailed design, documentation, and delivery of the new lookout respecting the original design ethic.

The approach for the concept, a ‘balustrade that is out of sight and out of mind’ has been achieved by creating a lower terrace where the required safety balustrade is hidden behind planting with a curvilinear recycled sandstone seating wall on the viewing terrace so that visitors continue to enjoy uninterrupted views of the landscape.

The upgraded West Head Lookout will provide new generations safe access to some of Sydney’s best views. The existing sandstone was reused in the design, and the majority of sandstone paving was re-laid to make it safer and more accessible. New native planting has been incorporated to blend the rebuilt structure into the natural landscape.

Image:

Simon Wood

Image:

Simon Wood

Image:

Simon Wood

Image:

Simon Wood

Client

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Year
2022–2023
Location

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, NSW

Aboriginal Country

Garigal

Collaborators

Bruce Mackenzie

Dunnings Consulting Engineers

Carfax Commercial Constructions

Master Landscaping Australia

Awards

2024 National Trust NSW Heritage Awards Landscape Winner

2024 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) NSW Award of Excellence for Tourism

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