BEOWA national park

OUR LARGEST coastal NATIONAL PARK


From Haycock Point in the north to historic Green Cape lighthouse in the south, spectacular Beowa National Park (formerly Ben Boyd National Park) features rugged coastlines, vivid rock formations, unspoilt beaches and intriguing history.


The park is divided into two sections, with the township of Eden at its centre. It is bordered by Pambula River in the north and Wonboyn Lake in the south, with most of the built heritage, and all of the camping, in the south. Whether bushwalking, kayaking or boating, the park’s landscape is unique.


Some areas of this park were affected by fire in 2019/2020. You’ll notice some changes to the landscape, as well as signs of recovery. Be sure to check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for alerts and updates. You can also visit the Merimbula National Parks and Wildlife Office from Monday - Friday, or call them on 02 6495 5000.

LIGHT TO LIGHT WALK

The iconic Light to Light walk is known as one of the best multi-day coastal walks in New South Wales. It extends 30 kilometres between Boyds Tower and Green Cape Light Station, best enjoyed over 2-3 days.

CAMPING

Camping is available in the southern part of the park, at Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee Bay  campgrounds. Both can be stops on the Light to Light walk and can also be accessed by road.

LIGHTHOUSE STAY

Couples, groups and families can stay at the historic Green Cape Light Station. The lighthouse is perched on Australia’s second most eastern point and is a remarkable, wild and uplifting stay for nature lovers.

STEEPED IN HISTORY

Beowa National Park was formerly called Ben Boyd National Park, named after a young Scottish entrepreneur Benjamin Boyd, who almost created an empire here in the late 1800s. While in his early 30s, Boyd used a fleet of ships to establish a base at Twofold Bay. When it failed, he sailed, broke and en route to the Californian Goldfields. It is believed he was murdered in the Pacific Islands. His legacy remains at Boyds Tower and the Seahorse Inn.


There’s a much older tale too. The fine sands of Beermuna (Boydtown Beach) is where the relationship between the first peoples, the Thaua People, and wild orca began. The Thaua people performed rituals and dances to call and honour the killer whales, their brothers or ‘beowas’. Later, after Boyd left and Eden was established, the symbiotic relationship deepened and both parties hunted alongside the  Davidson whaling family to catch around 8 whales a year.


In a commitment to acknowledging and respecting Aboriginal cultural heritage of this area, Beowa National Park was renamed in 2022, in consultation with local Aboriginal custodians. The word 'Beowa' means ‘orca’ or ‘killer whale’ in Thaua language, recognising the Aboriginal cultural heritage of the area. More information is available here.

Loading listings...

SEE AND do

Immerse yourself in nature with one of our guides, zoom down a twisting mountain bike trail, find your dream beach, secret fishing spot, hidden cove or perfect wave. Make the most of the Sapphire Coast.

SEE AND DO
Share by: