Margaret Knoll Lookout, Christmas Island
NewScape Design was engaged by Parks Australia to upgrade Margaret Knoll Lookout, a highly visited destination within Christmas Island National Park. Following the closure of the original structure due to structural issues, NewScape led the design, documentation and construction-phase services for a new lookout that enhances visitor experience while respecting the island’s unique environmental and cultural values.
The design transforms the lookout into an immersive and interactive experience. Shaped through consultation with park staff and local tour operators, the project balances access, safety and conservation, while celebrating the island’s extraordinary wildlife. The Brown Booby — synonymous with Margaret Knoll — inspired the sculptural shade structure, while embedded footprints guide visitors through stories of the island’s ecology, including the endangered fern growing at the base of the lookout and the seabirds overhead.
Artist Peta Misbrener (@elmemporium) created bespoke artworks for interpretation signage and teak seating, with burnt and etched imagery encouraging visitors to pause and engage with place. Recycled plastic seat bases reinforce environmental stewardship, while a life-sized Brown Booby sculpture perched on the handrail creates an iconic, shareable moment overlooking the Indian Ocean.
