About Us

The lookout offers magnificent views of the upper Spencer Gulf, Southern Flinders Ranges and Middleback Range in the west. In 1802 Matthew Flinders was the first European to navigate and chart this unknown coast of South Australia, solving the centuries old mystery as to whether Australia was one continent or two. Ten months later, in January 1803, Louis-Claude de Freycinet navigated and charted the isolated coast for the Baudin expedition. He and his crew spent a night at sea, off what was to become Whyalla, and were impressed by the local scenery. In September 2001, as part of the Encounter 2002 project to recognise French exploration, the two explorers were commemorated at the lookout by contemporary sculptures and the area was renamed the Flinders and Freycinet Lookout.