Holmes lookout
Clyde River National Park
Overview
Get a wonderful bird’s-eye view of Clyde River and scenic views of the district at Holmes lookout, a popular picnic spot that’s perfect for a birdwatching day trip.
- Type
- Lookouts
- Where
- Clyde River National Park in South Coast
- Accessibility
- Medium
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
Sitting up high on the ridge line, Holmes lookout offers spectacular scenic views looking out over mighty Clyde River as it winds its way towards the sparkling blue of the Pacific Ocean.
You’ll see Batemans Bay to the southeast and glimpses of the beautiful Budawang Ranges to the northwest. Breathe deeply and take in the fresh air and smells of the Aussie bush.
Pack a picnic, sit back and enjoy the views with a hot cuppa and a gourmet feast. It’s only a short drive from Batemans Bay, so you can do a whole day trip or just watch the sunset, then head back to town in time for dinner.
Set among the beautiful tall gums, it’s also a fantastic spot for birdwatching, particularly early morning and late afternoon. Look out for vibrantly coloured parrots and laughing kookaburras in the branches above. You’ll also see honeyeaters, treecreepers, yellow robin and eastern spinebills.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/lookouts/holmes-lookout/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Clyde River National Park in the South Coast region
Clyde River National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Holmes lookout.
Getting there and parking
On entering Clyde River National Park:
- From the Kings Highway follow Rotary Drive for about 1.5km until you reach Holmes lookout
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at Holmes lookout.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Clyde River National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
Take in magnificent sunset views from Holmes lookout after a day of exploring.
Summer
Get away from the holiday crowds and enjoy peaceful camping, swimming and kayaking on mighty Clyde River.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
14°C and 24°C
Highest recorded
43.3°C
Winter temperature
Average
6°C and 17°C
Lowest recorded
0°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
August
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
867.5mm
Facilities
- Drinking water is not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.
- You’re encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Assistance may be required to access this area.
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Firewood may not be collected from the park.
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Holmes lookout is in Clyde River National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Forests along the foreshore
Clyde River National Park has patches of rare forest red gum and three endangered ecological communities; swamp oak floodplain forest; river-flat eucalypt forest on coastal floodplains; and coastal saltmarsh. Mangroves along the river also provide important fish nurseries.
- Holmes lookout Get a wonderful bird’s-eye view of Clyde River and scenic views of the district at Holmes lookout, a popular picnic spot that’s perfect for a birdwatching day trip.
Protecting the unique
As you enjoy the natural beauty of the Clyde River National Park, you’ll see the unique plants and animals protected here. The threatened glossy black cockatoo finds much needed feed trees such as black she-oak in the park. The yellow-bellied glider and masked owl, also a threatened species, make homes here where trees with suitable nest hollows for living and breeding occur.
- Holmes lookout Get a wonderful bird’s-eye view of Clyde River and scenic views of the district at Holmes lookout, a popular picnic spot that’s perfect for a birdwatching day trip.
Sites and storylines
Welcome to the land of the Walbunja people. Clyde River, or Bhundoo as the locals call it, has provided an abundant food source for Aboriginal people for thousands of years. Several middens have been found along the shores where there are freshwater soaks and flat areas suitable for camping. The river, islands, and surrounding bushlands also have important cultural significance for the Walbunja people. Holmes lookout is part of a local dreaming story and was an important meeting and communication point due to its high vantage point.
Waterway wonders
The waterways of Clyde River offer plenty of options to explore and enjoy. Launch your boat, kayak or canoe to see the natural beauty here from the water. Explore the shorelines paddling along the river and see the abundant birdlife. There are also plenty of spots to enjoy a peaceful swim in the calm waters of the river, or throw in a fishing line and relax as you watch the world go by.
- Holmes lookout Get a wonderful bird’s-eye view of Clyde River and scenic views of the district at Holmes lookout, a popular picnic spot that’s perfect for a birdwatching day trip.