Point Lookout, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Point LookoutNorth Stradbroke Island, Queensland |
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Eastern wall of the North Gorge, as seen from the Gorge Walk at Point Lookout
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 Point Lookout
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 785 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 178.4/km2 (462/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4183 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 4.4 km2 (1.7 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Redland City | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Oodgeroo | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Bowman | ||||||||||||||
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Point Lookout is a small coastal town in Queensland, Australia. It is located on the eastern side of North Stradbroke Island, also known as Minjerribah. Point Lookout is a headland, which is a piece of land that sticks out into the sea.
In 2021, about 785 people lived in Point Lookout. It is a popular spot for tourists.
Contents
Exploring Point Lookout's Geography
Point Lookout is the most easterly point in Queensland. This means it's the furthest east you can go in the state! To the north, you'll find Cape Moreton. To the south, the next big headland is Point Danger, near the border with New South Wales.
Other towns on North Stradbroke Island include Dunwich and Amity Point. Point Lookout has several interesting spots. Near the caravan park, you'll find Rocky Point and Adder Rock. Cylinder Beach stretches towards Cylinder Headland. Frenchmans Beach is in front of Frenchmans Bay. At the very eastern end, there's North Gorge and Whale Rock.
What Can You See from the Headland?
Point Lookout is a fantastic place to watch for sea animals. You can often see Humpback whales migrating along the east coast of Australia. This happens as they travel between their feeding and breeding grounds. The town has many houses and tourist apartments. They are built close to the beach or on ridges to offer amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. You can also find a few shops and a caravan park here.
There are no trains on the island. The closest train station is in Cleveland, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) to the west. Dunwich airport is about 14.5 kilometers (9 miles) southwest.
Point Lookout's Climate
Point Lookout has a warm and humid climate. Summers are hot and wet, while winters are very mild and quite dry. The area gets a lot of rain, especially in autumn. This is because of its location right on the coast.
A Glimpse into Point Lookout's History
Point Lookout has a rich history. It was first seen and named by Captain James Cook. He was exploring the east coast of Australia on May 17, 1770. He was sailing on his ship, HMS Endeavour.
Early Encounters and Assistance
In 1803, Matthew Flinders came ashore at Cylinder Beach. He was looking for fresh water after his ship, HMS Porpoise, was wrecked. This was the first recorded meeting between the British and the Noonuccal people in this area. The local Aboriginal people helped Flinders find water for his barrels. This act of kindness is remembered today.
Important Landmarks and Events
The Point Lookout Lighthouse was built in 1932. It is still used today to guide ships.
A sad event happened near Point Lookout during World War II. On May 14, 1943, a Japanese submarine sank the hospital ship AHS Centaur. This caused the greatest loss of life from a submarine attack in Australian waters. A memorial for the Centaur was unveiled on Cylinder Beach Headland in 1994.
The Point Lookout Library opened its doors in 2011.
Who Lives in Point Lookout?
In 2021, Point Lookout had a population of 785 people. Slightly more males lived there than females. The average age of people in Point Lookout was 55 years old. This is a bit older than the national average in Australia.
Most people living in Point Lookout were born in Australia (about 71.5%). Other people came from countries like England, New Zealand, and the United States. Most residents (about 83.2%) speak only English at home. Some other languages spoken include Italian, Thai, and German.
Protecting Point Lookout's Heritage
Point Lookout has one special heritage site. It is the Point Lookout Foreshore along East Coast Road. This area is protected because of its historical and cultural importance.
Learning and Community in Point Lookout
There are no schools directly in Point Lookout. Students usually go to Dunwich State School for primary education. For high school, they travel to Cleveland District State High School on the mainland.
The Redland City Council runs a public library in Point Lookout. It is located at the Point Lookout Community Hall on Dickson Way. This hall is a place for community events and activities.
Amazing Attractions in Point Lookout
Point Lookout has several monuments that tell its story.
- There is a monument celebrating James Cook naming Point Lookout in 1770. You can find it near the Gorge Walk.
- Another monument remembers the help the Aboriginal people gave to Matthew Flinders in 1803. This "Act of Kindness" monument is on the Cylinder Beach Headland.
- You can also find a monument for the Stradbroke Island Radar Site. This site was part of Australia's air defense during World War II. It is located on the Gorge Walk.
- Finally, there is a monument for the sinking of the AHS Centaur. This memorial is also on the Cylinder Beach Headland.
