Norman Lookout

Norman Lookout is a roadside viewpoint on the way into Tidal River, with a broad sweep of rugged coast and open water. It's an easy short pause if you want a first look at the shoreline without committing to a hike.

From here, pick out Picnic Bay and Leonard Point, then look offshore for the Norman and Glennie island groups. The view is all about the contrast between low, scrub-covered headlands and the blue stretch of Bass Strait. On a clear evening, the islands sit against the sunset, a view the park highlights here.

Keep a little coastal scrub in the foreground when you take a photo; it gives the islands a stronger sense of place than a tight shot across the water. This is an easy add-on along the drive to Tidal River, rather than a stop that needs its own outing. Dogs aren't allowed in the national park.