Sydney’s New North Head Lookouts Wins Top Architecture Award

 

Sydney’s stunning new lookouts, which boast epic ocean views from North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park, recently won the prestigious Nicholas Murcutt Award for Small Project Architecture.

Award-Winning Lookouts

The works won the Nicholas Murcutt Award at the National Architecture Awards 2024 for their beautiful design and ability to integrate with the landscape while encouraging visitors to foster a relationship with Country.

The design was created by Chrofi and Bangawarra, with a focus on functionality, connection to Country, durability, and aesthetics. The lookouts are designed to merge with the landscape through the materials, echoing the earthy quality of the surrounding sandstone and plant life.

‘The platforms are already establishing a legacy that symbolises our dedication to preserving Sydney’s natural and cultural heritage’, says NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Head Atticus Fleming.

‘This win reinforces our commitment to protecting and showcasing Sydney’s natural beauty for future generations’, he said.

Two Lookouts Two Stories

The proposal for the unique lookouts originally started due to rockfall and bushfire impact in the area in 2020. The two new lookouts were planned in addition to works to improve the affected environmental areas. The design also acknowledges and connects with the history and stories of the area.

Burragula lookout, meaning ‘sunset’, provides views southwards across to South Head and Sydney Harbour. It is associated with burraga, the Long-nosed bandicoot, which is most active at dusk. At this lookout, solid sandstone plinths symbolise the mounds left by bandicoot burrows.

The spectacular views at Burragala lookout at North Head

Yiningma lookout, meaning ‘cliff edge’, provides views along the coastline and out to sea, and the sandstone seating is in the shape of a bara, or fish hook. This platform honours gawura the whale by featuring a D’harawal ceremonial song that’s traditionally sung to guide whales on their yearly migration along the coastline.

The sandstone seating at Yiningma lookout is shaped like a fish hook

The lookouts are a short distance away from Manly in Sydney, and can be discovered on the Fairfax Walk — a short 1km loop at North Head, and a top spot for whale watching.

Read more: Best Whale Watching Near Sydney

Photos supplied by DCCEW