Consisting of two sections, on either side of Twofold Bay and the town of Eden, Ben Boyd National Park features rugged coastlines, vivid rock formations, unspoilt beaches, extensive areas of coastal heath and intriguing history. The smaller northern section is bordered by Pambula River and Twofold Bay���s North Head, and bounded on its western border by the Princes Highway. South of Eden, the park begins on the southern side of Twofold Bay, where the historic Boyd���s Tower stands tall, then continues to Green Cape Light Station some 30 kilometres to the south.

The geology of this section is mainly sedimentary rock (ironstone and clay) laid down in the Paleogene, with some quartzite outcrops. The main attraction for tourists is the Pinnacles, a multicoloured erosion gully with white sands overlaying rusty red clay. The southern section coastline is metamorphic and Devonian in age, with some heavily folded sections at Red Point, near Boyd's tower. Other highlights in the south include the remains of the Davidsons Whaling Station, Bitangabee Ruins and Green Cape Light House.

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 track and can also be accessed by road. Bookings are required during summer and Easter school holidays. Striking coastal scenery, remnants of early European settlement and opportunities to watch whales in spring are a feature of Ben Boyd National Park. Whether bushwalking, kayaking or boating, the park���s landscape is unique.

Access to the southern section is via Edrom Road which leads off from the Princes Highway 18km south of Eden.

Striking features in the northern section include coastal lookout and earth history hot spot The Pinnacles, where you can also see Lennards Island and Haycock Point. Access to the northern section of the park is via Pambula Beach, and Haycock Road which leaves the Princes Highway 8km north of Eden.

Ben Boyd's Tower


Boyds Tower, originally designed as a lighthouse by Benjamin Boyd, was built in 1847. The tower was designed by Oswald Brierly who had accompanied Boyd to Australia from England. was built from sandstone quarried in Sydney. Boyd was a well known entrepreneur of the time who also built nearby Boydtown - he also had interests in both he whaling and shipping industries as well as owning vast grazing properties on the Monaro and in the Riverina. Whaling was already an established industry when Boyd arrived in the Edfen area and he brought with him his own boats and crew. He went aggressively went into competition with the locals and expanded his fleet until he had nine whaling boats working for him.

Boyd's legacy includes the decaying buildings of Boydtown near Eden on Twofold Bay in New South Wales. The township was established by Boyd to provide services for the extensive properties he owned locally. It was abandoned in the mid-1840s when Boyd's finances failed. Boyd's tower was then taken over by the Davidson family who used it to spot whales for their whaling operations at Kiah Inlet. During season, the tower was manned daily and when a whale was observed, boat crews were alerted with a gunshot. Twenty metres tall, the tower is surrounded by the sea on three sides. This constant exposure to the elements results in erosion of the tower. For protection, maintenance work is required every ten years - particularly to safeguard the mortar. It was not until 1973 that the area was declared a National Park with Boyd's Tower being added to that Park in 1976. Visitors can now enjoy magnificent views in this historic area.

Davidson Whaling Station


Davidson Whaling Station 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. Located on the shores of the Kiah Inlet at Twofold Bay, it was the longest-operating shore-based whaling station in Australia and the last of its type to close down. Protected today as an historic site, the station gives a unique insight into the lives and industry of the 19th century whalers. Shore based whaling was conducted from 1826 to 1932. Three generations of the Davidson family worked from this site to hunt migrating whales. They were the only whalers known in the world to work in partnership with killer whales (orcas).

Interpretative signs incorporating historic photographs and sketches have been installed around this site to explain the whaling operations. A viewing platform has been erected around the remains of the 'Tying Down Works' (The area where the whale blubber was boiled to extract the oil).


Whaling played a very important role in the area's economy for over 100 years before its end in 1930. Eden Killer Whale Museum tells the story of whaling at Twofold Bay, with a particular focus on the killer whale. Yuin aboriginals, employed as whaling boat crew, refused to kill orcas, and a new policy encouraged collaboration between whalers and the killer whales; the killer whales would trap humpback whales that entered Twofold Bay, the whales would then be harpooned, and the orcas rewarded with prize pieces of the humpback carcasses.

Walking trails

Walking trails in the northern section include Pambula River Walking Track and the Pinnacles Walking Loop and there are sandy several river side and coastal beaches long beaches to explore such as Severs, Long Beach and Quondola.

The best way to explore all these facets is to take the Killer Whale Trail. Uncover the dramatic history of shore based whaling from 1828-1930 and learn about the unique relationship between people and the wild killer whales (orcas). The self-drive trail takes you to five sites of important heritage and stunning natural beauty. both in Eden and in the southern section of Ben Boyd National Park. The 30 km. Light to Light walking track, which runs from Boyds Tower to Green Cape Lighthouse, 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.