Tasmania · Attraction
Whalers Lookout Scenic Reserve
Panoramic views above the Gulch
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Whalers Lookout Scenic Reserve sits on a rocky headland near the centre of Bicheno and delivers sweeping 360-degree views from two dedicated platforms, one facing east over The Gulch and the Tasman Sea, the other looking west across the town and its crescent beaches. A steep but short 10-minute walk from Foster Street, the reserve takes its name from the whaling industry that operated in Bicheno during the 1830s and 1840s. Entry is free and the lookout is open at all times.
The Gulch below the lookout is a natural deep-water cleft in the granite shoreline that has sheltered Bicheno's fishing fleet for generations. Today it functions as the town's working harbour, and watching the colourful fishing boats bob in the calm of the ravine while the Tasman surges outside is a quintessentially Bicheno experience. Fresh fish and chips are available from vendors near the wharf, and the jetty at the Gulch is a popular spot for recreational fishing in the late afternoon, targeting salmon, mackerel, trevally, and squid.
The walk up to the lookout begins at the corner of Foster and Burgess streets and is well signposted. Despite the gradient it is manageable for most ages and the platforms are fenced for safety. May through October brings migrating humpback and southern right whales within viewing distance, and the eastern platform is an outstanding vantage point for scanning the horizon. The reserve is a genuine highlight of any Bicheno visit and requires nothing more than comfortable shoes.
Scenic views
