Aireys Inlet - Reef Lookout

Reef Lookout is a peaceful clifftop viewpoint overlooking the rugged coastline and reefs surrounding Aireys Inlet. Located at the end of Eagle Rock Parade, this easily accessible lookout offers expansive views across Bass Strait, the rocky shoreline and the powerful Southern Ocean. Although often overshadowed by nearby Split Point Lighthouse, it is a rewarding stop for visitors seeking spectacular coastal scenery away from the crowds.

A short walk from the parking area leads to the lookout, where visitors can watch waves breaking over the offshore reefs that give the lookout its name. The elevated vantage point provides excellent opportunities for photography, while the surrounding coastal heath supports a variety of native birds. During the whale migration season from May to October, Humpback and Southern Right Whales are occasionally seen offshore, while pods of dolphins sometimes pass close to the coast.

Reef Lookout is connected to a network of coastal walking tracks, making it easy to combine with a visit to Split Point Lighthouse, Land's End Lookout and Eagle Rock. The lookout is particularly impressive at sunrise, when the morning light illuminates the cliffs and ocean, and in the late afternoon when the coastline glows in warm colours. Visitors should remain on the formed paths and keep well back from the unfenced cliff edges.

Although compact, Reef Lookout is one of Aireys Inlet's lesser-known scenic stops and offers uninterrupted ocean views in a tranquil setting. It is an ideal place to pause while exploring the lighthouse precinct or walking sections of the Surf Coast Walk.