Ben Boyd National Park
- Introduction
- Fact file
- A look at the past
- Natural features
- Native plants
- Wildlife
- NSWNPWS 1300 361 967
- NPWS Merimbula Discovery Centre
- (02) 6495 5000
- Gaze at Boyds Tower and survey the park and Pacific Ocean from the nearby cliff-top lookout
- Walk to the intriguing ancient rock formation of the Pinnacles
- Watch for migrating southern right whales
- Canoe on the calm waters of Pambula River
Introduction
Ragged wave-worn cliffs, salt-pruned heath and banksia woodlands, beautiful beaches, historic buildings and a fascinating whaling heritage make Ben Boyd National Park a wonderful holiday destination. Located on the state’s south coast, in two sections, north and south of Twofold Bay, with the township of Eden in between, the northern part of the park is notable for its rocky coastline, while the southern part has historic sites to explore.
Fact file
Access
From Pambula, just south of Merimbula, via Pambula Beach Rd or south on Princes Hwy then Haycock Rd (northern section); from Eden via Princes Hwy then Edrom Rd (southern section)
Best Season
Spring to autumn
Location
470 km south of Sydney; 20 km south of Merimbula and 8 km north of Eden (northern section); 33 km south of Eden (southern section)
Park Information
Size
22 222 ha
Where to Stay
Eden (02) 6496 1953, 1800 633 012
Merimbula (02) 6495 1129
www.sapphirecoast.com.au
A look at the past
Whaling was a huge industry along this coast, beginning in 1828 and lasting for a century. Davidson Whaling Station, on Twofold Bay, was the longest operating shore-based whaling station in Australia
and vestiges of the station remain. Farming also flourished in the district in the 1800s and cattle were
shipped from Twofold Bay. Colourful entrepreneur Benjamin Boyd – landowner, grazier, and whaling station owner – built the tower that still bears his name. When his business went bust in the 1840s, he
headed for the Californian goldfields.
Natural features
The northern part of the park is distinguished by its craggy coastline and in particular the Pinnacles, a formation dating back 60 million years, where layers of white sand are capped with crumbling red clay.
Follow the Pinnacles walking track for the best view.
Native plants
Open forest and woodland cover the park, with tall red bloodwood and blackbutt in the north and silvertop ash in the south, and occasional small fragments of rainforest survive in moist gullies. On the windswept headlands, salt-pruned heath and scrub form a tough, low covering.
Wildlife
Keep your eyes peeled early in the morning or as dusk sets in for eastern grey kangaroos and at night
watch as ringtail possums scurry along the branches and the ground in search of sustenance. In all, 50
mammal species have been recorded, but most are shy and nocturnal. Near the coast waterbirds and seabirds nest and feed – red-capped plovers, Australian shelducks, great cormorants and whitefronted terns are among the 200-plus bird species sighted here. And offshore there is also plenty of wildlife – migrating humpback and southern right whales cruise along the coast from June to November, pods of dolphins are regularly seen cavorting in the water and seals swim by.
Featured Activities in the National Park
Introduction
Green Cape, Disaster Bay, Haycock Point and the lookout near Boyds Tower are all excellent vantage points for panoramic views and photographs. Pambula River and Saltwater Creek are ideal for stillwater canoeing, and sea-kayaking along the coast is becoming popular. There are a number of picnic spots with barbecues. For those with limited time, most of the park’s main attractions can easily be reached by car.
Bushwalking
The mild climate, terrain and historic sites make Ben Boyd excellent walking territory. Light to Light (30 km one way, 3 days, easy) is a trek from Boyds Tower to Green Cape Lighthouse, with Aboriginal and historic sites, splendid views and, in season, the chance to spot whales breaching offshore. There are numerous shorter walks: to Boyds Tower, the colourful Pinnacles and along the Pambula River. Pick up a list of walks from the NPWS Merimbula office.
Fishing
The district is renowned for its first-class beach, bay and river fishing. Pambula River is known for bream and flathead, with salmon or tailor the likely catches on the northern beaches. Netting, spearfishing and collecting crustaceans and marine animals from the rocks is prohibited.
Historic sites and tours
History buffs will find much of interest in this area – Boyds Tower, built in 1847 as a lighthouse but never used (there is no access to the tower), the remains of the old Davidson Whaling Station and historic Green Cape Lighthouse, erected in 1883 (ask at Merimbula Discovery Centre about guided tours).
Swimming and surfing
The quiet Pambula River estuary and beaches at Bittangabee and Saltwater Creek are favourite venues for swimming, and there are some great surfing breaks.
Campsites
Hegartys Bay camping area (bush camping)
Mowarry Point camping area (bush camping)
Explore Australia’s National Parks
Buy nowRRP $49.95