From Pambula Beach in the north to historic Green Cape lighthouse in the south, Ben Boyd National Park features rugged coastlines, vivid rock formations, pristine beaches, extensive areas of coastal heath and intriguing history. South of Eden, Boyd's Tower marks the entrance to Twofold Bay and is named after the 19th century entrepreneur Ben Boyd who played an important role in the early development of the area.
Whilst this tower was never actually used as a lighthouse, it provided a handy lookout point for many years from which Eden's shore based whalers could watch for whales migrating along the coastline. Nearby, Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site stands as a reminder of the early whaling days when a pod of Killer Whales led by ‘Old Tom' assisted the whalers in the hunt for baleen whales.
Boyds Tower is connected to Green Cape Lightstation by the spectacular 30km Light to Light Walking Track which ends at the lighthouse with its renovated Assistant Lightkeepers Cottages.
The walk can be done over 2 nights, or in shorter half day sections.
For more detailed information please visit:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0003
Ben Boyd National Park - Topographic Maps
The CMA 1:25 000 maps which cover the park are (from north to south):
Pambula 8824-II-S | Eden 8823-I-N | Kiah 8823-I-S
Ben Boyd National Park - Camping Information
Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee Bay campgrounds provide coastal bush camping facilities along the Light to Light track and can also be accessed by road. Bookings are required during summer and Easter school holidays.
For further information on camping please see: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkCamping.aspx?id=N0003
Camping facilities are located in the south of the park at Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee Bay. Picnic facilities are provided at Haycock Point in the north of the park and Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee in the south.
Popular lookout spots include the Pinnacles in the northern section and Boyds Tower and Disaster Bay lookouts in the south. Whilst there is no access to the top of Boyds Tower, lookout platforms are in place at the cliff edge to provide you with striking coastal views.
The Light to Light walktrack runs from Boyds Tower to Green Cape Lighthouse. It is the park's most popular walk. Camping is available at Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee Bay in the southern section of Ben Boyd. Backpack camping is available at Hegartys Bay.
Other popular visitor areas include Severs Beach and Barmouth Beach in the north of the park. These provide sheltered beachside locations in a riverside environment.
Ben Boyd National Park - Recreation
Striking coastal scenery and a range of both sheltered and surfing beaches are a feature of Ben Boyd National Park. Accordingly the park provides for a range of activities revolving around the enjoyment of these resources.
Picnicking, swimming and generally exploring the coastal environment for example are very popular activities within the park. Whilst some camping facilities are provided (see details above) most visitors tend to be daytrippers relying on accommodation in neighbouring towns.
The park has two important historical features which help to link it to the early European settlement of the local area. These are Boyds Tower located on the southern headland of Twofold Bay and Bittangabee Ruins in the south of the park at Bittangabee. When visiting Boyds Tower, it is worthwhile to drop into the Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site located just off from the road leading into the tower (Edrom Rd). Taken together with a visit to the Eden Killer Whale Museum, a visit to these two locations provides a good opportunity to appreciate the way in which shore based whaling operations were undertaken at Eden in the 19th century. A lookout at Boyds Tower also provides an excellent vantage point from which to look for whales migrating along the NSW coastline.
Ben Boyd National Park - Location and Access
Access to the northern section of the park is via Pambula Beach, and Haycock Rd which leaves the Princes Highway 8 km north of Eden. Access to the southern section is via Edrom Road which leads off from the Princes Hwy 18km south of Eden.
