One of the best walks on Lord Howe Island (after Mount Gower), this walk combines the shorter Kims Lookout Circuit with an ascent of Mount Eliza, at the northern end of Lord Howe Island. (The walk is also known as Malabar Hill Circuit.) The track to Kims Lookout climbs up Malabar Hill, with views toward Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird in the distance, and Neds Beach below.
From the top of the ridge, about 200m above the beach, there are views towards the north of Soldiers Cap island immediately below, and the Admiralty Islands further out on the other side of Sugarloaf Passage.
The Kims Lookout Circuit track follows the cliff top to Kims Lookout, which has great views over most of the the island, with the Gower and Lidgbird peaks in the distance.
From Kims Lookout, the highest point on this walk (155m above sea level) the you can descend via Memorial Track to the other side of the island to finish the walk at Old Settlement Beach – this makes it about a 4.5km loop. However, it’s worth continuing down to North Beach (a sanctuary zone) and then up the short but steep climb up to Mt Eliza. From the Mt Eliza summit (147m above sea level) are great views to the twin peaks at the opposite end of Lord Howe Island.
From the top, you can see the Old Gulch, a very narrow, gravel beach, below. At the end of the steep cliffs that line the coast is Soldiers Cap, a small rock islet.
Further offshore, to the north of Soldiers Cap, is Sugarloaf Passage and the Admiralty Islands.
Return the same way from Mt Eliza, to complete the loop at Old Settlement Beach.
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- Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird from Malabar Hill
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- Ned Beach, from Maabar Hill (Lord Howe Island)
The Kims Lookout Circuit track follows the cliff top to Kims Lookout, which has great views over most of the the island, with the Gower and Lidgbird peaks in the distance.
From Kims Lookout, the highest point on this walk (155m above sea level) the you can descend via Memorial Track to the other side of the island to finish the walk at Old Settlement Beach – this makes it about a 4.5km loop. However, it’s worth continuing down to North Beach (a sanctuary zone) and then up the short but steep climb up to Mt Eliza. From the Mt Eliza summit (147m above sea level) are great views to the twin peaks at the opposite end of Lord Howe Island.
From the top, you can see the Old Gulch, a very narrow, gravel beach, below. At the end of the steep cliffs that line the coast is Soldiers Cap, a small rock islet.
Further offshore, to the north of Soldiers Cap, is Sugarloaf Passage and the Admiralty Islands.
Return the same way from Mt Eliza, to complete the loop at Old Settlement Beach.
When to go?
Lord Howe Island has a mild climate, and is ideal for hiking year-round. Average rainfall is highest from April – June, but you can should be able to hike to Kims Lookout at any time of the year.
Accommodation on Lord Howe Island
There are many places to stay on Lord Howe Island – but as there’s a cap on the number of visitors (40 per night) book as far in advance as you can. The Lord Howe Island official site has the full list of places to stay Booking.comMore information on Kims Lookout Circuit
- Lord Howe Island walking tracks
- Lord Howe Island blog – Hiking to Kims Lookout and Malabar
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