With a plethora of things to do in Eden NSW with kids (or without!) you just have to visit!
Eden is considered one of the best places in Australia to watch whales. It is the last major town on the New South Wales south coast prior to the Victorian border and is positioned on a headland that protrudes out into Twofold Bay, the third deepest natural harbour in the Southern Hemisphere.
Eden is surrounded by stunning bushland with Ben Boyd National Park lying to the north and south, and Nullica State Forest and Mount Imlay National Park lying to the west. It makes it one of the perfect spots to head to enjoy our Australian wilderness.
Folklore has it that Eden was named by Europeans for its beauty, and its likeness to the garden detailed in Genesis. However, it was actually named for the Earl of Auckland, George Eden (1784-1849) who was the British First Lord of the Admiralty and Governor-General of India. Despite this, Eden is stunningly beautiful and a place to add to your travels.
Visit Eden NSW
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Traditional Owners
The traditional owners of Eden and its surroundings are the Thaua or Thawa, people of the Yuin nation.
Whaling History
Eden has been on our kid bucket list for a few years after we learned of the Eden Killer Whales and the whaling stories.
The Yuin people had stories of their people riding on the backs of killer whales and cooperating with them to drive fish into shallow waters so they could be speared and then shared. Between 1840 and 1930, European whalers used this partnership with the killer whales of Twofold Bay to hunt baleen whales.
For decades, the killer whales hunted alongside the European whalers. Old Tom, the leader of the pod, would alert the whalers that there were Baleen whales by breaching or tail slapping at the mouth of the Kiah River.
The whalers would then head out and harpoon the whale, before anchoring it for the evening so the Killer Whales could eat the tongue and lips of the whale before it was pulled ashore the following day. This arrangement was called “the law of the tongue” and continued until John Logan broke the law in the 1920s.
John Logan attempted to bring a carcass to shore without Old Tom and the pod having the feast of lips and tongue. Old Tom attempted to intervene by grabbing the tow rope, losing teeth in the process. This resulted in Old Tom developing abscesses in his mouth, starving and then dying. His skeleton is now on exhibit at the Killer Whale Museum.
Sadly, the Killer Whales are a rare sight at Eden these days, although, with the demise of whaling, it is one of the best places to go whale watching in Australia.
Things to See and Explore in Eden
Eden Killer Whale Museum
The Eden Killer Whale Museum was at the top of our Kid Bucket List on our trip to Eden. It is here that you can learn about one of the most incredibly unique partnerships between humans and animals.
Visit the Killer Whale Museum in Eden to explore the history of whaling in New South Wales and Australia through the museum’s displays which feature between five and ten thousand items, focusing on the Australian whaling industry, general maritime and fishing artifacts, the timber industry, and local social history.
Address: 184 Imlay Street, Eden NSW
Opening Hours: Open daily until 3.45 pm
Admission: $12.00 per adult | $3.00 for children over 5 years
Website: Eden Killer Whale museum
Green Cape Lighthouse
The Green Cape Lighthouse is the southernmost lighthouse in New South Wales. It is located on an unsealed road around 45 minutes south of Eden in the Ben Boyd National Park.
Learn about disasters and survival, like the passenger ship Ly-ee-Moon, mysteriously wrecked below the lighthouse in 1886. Tombstones of those shipwrecked lie among the rolling green hills at the foot of the lighthouse.
The Green Cape Lighthouse was fully operational by 1883. Three years later, in 1886, it was the location of one of NSW’s worst-ever maritime disasters: the Ly-ee-Moon disaster. Seventy-one lives were lost in the paddle-steamers sinking, including Mary MacKillop’s mother, Flora.
Today, the grounds are open to the public, and the Green Cape Lightstation tower is open to guided tours on some days of the week. Accommodation is also available in the two assistant keepers’ cottages which sleep up to six people each. Make sure to book both in advance!
Exploring the grounds of the Green Cape Lighthouse is quite interesting. You will find the original lighthouse; the 1994 light tower; the Head Keepers Quarters; duplex quarters for the two Assistant Keepers; stables; telegraph station; ancillary buildings; communication tower; solar panels; and remnant foundations of various structures.
Around 300m from the lighthouse, is the Ly-ee-Moon cemetery and, located off-shore, the shipwreck itself.
Watch out for the resident wombats who can often be sighted on site, as well as the array of reptiles that like to bask in the sun.
You will need a NSW National Parks permit to visit. This can be purchased on site if you have the correct change by filling out the envelope in the car park. If you love hiking, you may be interested in taking the multi-day Light to Light Walk.
Ben Boyd Tower
If you are interested in either the colonial history of Eden or the Whaling history, then a trip to the Ben Boyd Tower just south of Eden is for you.
The Ben Boyd Tower is over 170 years old and stands at around twenty metres in height. It is surrounded by water from three sides, which over the course of time has led to some erosion of the tower.
Ben Boyd Tower is found south of Eden. From the parking bay, take the Boyds Walking Track to the tower.
The History of Ben Boyd Tower
Originally designed as a lighthouse and built in 1847 by Benjamin Boyd, a local squatter who also built nearby Boydtown, Ben Boyd Tower was repurposed into a whale spotting tower after Boyd’s empire collapsed. Sadly, it never became a lighthouse, although Green Cape Lighthouse is not to be missed when you are exploring the Boyd National Park.
The Davidson Family used Boyds tower as part of their whaling operations at Kiah Inlet. Each whaling season, one of the crew would man the tower, watching the ocean for whales. Upon spotting a whale, a gunshot would alert the boat crews so they could head out to harpoon the whale.
In 1977, Ben Boyd Tower was added to the Boyd National Park.
Benjamin Boyd the Man
I have many reservations around Benjamin Boyd, particularly as he attempted to start a Slave Labour market in Australia by bringing Pacific Islanders. He has a number of places named after him including the Ben Boyd National Park. I wonder if it is time that this was rethought and the original names given by the Yuin are adopted.
Head to the NSW National Parks for the Boyds Tower Walking track.
Disaster Bay Lookout
The scenic lookout from Disaster Bay in Ben Boyd National Park offers striking views over Disaster Bay and Nadgee-Howe Wilderness Area.
Disaster Bay is named in memory of the many ships that have run aground in the area. The view itself is stunning and worth the short walk out to the viewing platform.
Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site
Built in 1896, the Davidson Whaling Station saw three generations of the Davidson Family occupy their Loch Garra homestead and process the carcasses of the baleen whales on the beach below.
This Whaling Station was the longest-operating shore-based whaling station in Australia and the last of its type to close down. You can explore the grounds and spot some of the historic pieces from this era including the large pots used to boil the whale blubber.
Visitors can book a guided tour via NSW National Parks. Click here for full details.
Ben Boyd National Park
Spanning 47km of rocky coastline and sheltered inlets (8,900 hectares in total), the Ben Boyd National Park has two distinct areas near Eden to explore: the Pambula-Haycock area in the north, and the Green Cape area to the south.
Make sure you get a NSW National Parks pass before you start exploring and watch for wildlife! The Ben Boyd National Park boasts 212 species of bird, 50 species of mammals, and numerous reptiles.
Highlights for us were the Pinnacles, Disaster Bay Lookout, and the Green Cape Lighthouse.
Bundian Way Story Walk
The Bundian Way runs for 265 kilometres between Targangal (Mount Kosciuszko) and the coast at Bilgalera (Twofold Bay, Eden) and is a heritage listed ancient Aborigianl route.
It was most notably used to attend ceremonies associated with whaling in springtime at Twofold Bay in Eden and Bogong moth hunting in the high country during summer. It was also used for to conduct business and trade, maintain kinship ties, share knowledge and resources and for lore keeping purposes.
Work is underway to develop the Bundian Way for walkers. Whilst it is not yet open in its entirety, you can experience the Whale Dreaming Trail and Story Trail in Eden via the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Eden Lookout and Rotary Park
The Eden Lookout provides a stunning view across Twofold Way and is a great spot for Whale spotting.
Snug Cove
The first wharf was built in Snug Cove back in 1860. Back then, it was used for whaling. Today, Snug Cove consists of three wharves. It is a great spot to watch the boats come and go each day. It is from here that charters depart for fishing trips, diving, whale watching and coastal cruises.
Drop into the Eden Welcome Centre for tips on exploring the region and enjoy the interpretive installations and foreshore Maritime History Pathway
Aslings Beach
Aslings Beach is probably the best beach in Eden for kids as it is patrolled in summer and offers some safe areas to swim. To the south you will find a natural rock pool. Be warned, it still is susceptible to rips and rough surf, so choose your day carefully.
Eden Whale Festival
The Eden Whale Festival is an annual event, celebrating the southern migration of the humpback and other whales.
The festival combines whale watching experiences with onshore activities to entertain the whole family. Enjoy the festival parade, hands-on family fun, outdoor entertainment, photography, film, music, seafood, local produce and so much more…
Head to the Eden Whale Festival for more details.
The Best Whale Watching Spots in Eden
Eden is one of the best whale watching locations in Australia with numerous spots to head to that will, with over 30,00 whales travelling past each year, provide a good chance of spotting a whale between May and September each year from most vantage points in Eden.
Ben Boyd National Park
Green Cape Lighthouse
Boyds Tower
Twofold Bay
Rotary Park Lookout – considered one of the best vantage points in Eden
Eastern end of Bass Street
If you want to get out onto the water, Cat Balou Cruises come highly recommended.
Where to Eat in Eden
Sprout Eden
Opening back in 2012, Sprout Eden serves breakfast, lunch, and all-day treats, as well as selling and using produce supplied by local growers.
Learn more about Sprout Eden here.
Ollie Masons Cafe & Wine Bar
As a Piattini Wine Bar, Ollie Masons offer small plate meals that are ideal for sharing or combining so that you can build your meal to your liking whether it be for brunch, lunch or dinner accompanied by some tried and tested wines from Australia and New Zealand.
Learn more about Ollie Masons Cafe & Wine Bar here.
Eden Fish & Chips
How can you visit Eden and not sample the local seafood? Eden Fish and Chips offers a good variety of locally sourced seafood.
Head to 160 Imlay St Eden
Seahorse Inn
The Seahorse Inn Brasserie serves Australian Cuisine specialising in fresh local seafood accompanied by fine wines from many regions of Australia. Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week all year round.
Head to the Seahorse Inn Website for more details.
Accommodation in Eden
A word of warning: Eden and the Sapphire Coast are popular summer holiday destinations, particularly for Victorians. Accommodation books out months in advance, so make sure you plan your trip and book early.
Reflections Holiday Parks Eden
Offering cabins, powered sites and unpowered sites, Reflections Holiday Parks Eden (Eden Holiday Park) is idyllically positioned on the shores of Lake Curalo, with the warm blue waters of Aslings Beach on your back doorstep, you’d be hard pressed to find a better spot to relax, connect with friends and family, and create memories you’ll treasure for years to come.
Head to the Eden Holiday Park for more details.
Bittangabee Campground
Enjoy bush camping by the beach at Bittangabee campground. This is a place to totally unwind. There is no mobile phone coverage at the campground. It can be intermittent along the access road.
Sites are marked and unpowered. It’s suitable for motorhomes and there are sites for camper trailers.
Take a virtual tour of Bittangabee campground captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Head to the Bittangabee Campground for more details.
Saltwater Creek Campground
Not far from Eden, Saltwater Creek Campground offers remote and intimate camping in the Ben Boyd National Park. Numerous wild animals like to come into the campground – make sure you don’t feed them.
Sites are marked and unpowered with a maximum stay of two weeks. There is no mobile phone coverage at the campground. It can be intermittent along the access road.
Take a virtual tour of Saltwater Creek campground captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Head to the Saltwater Creek Campground for more details.
Discovery Parks Eden
Formerly Twofold Bay Beach and Big4 Discovery Parks – Eden, Discovery Parks Eden is set on the magnificent shores of Twofold Bay. The Park includes cabins, powered and unpowered sites.
Head to Discovery Parks Eden for more details.
The Seahorse Inn
The Seahorse Inn is a luxurious boutique hotel, situated on the shores of Twofold Bay. The newly refurbished Inn offers modern luxury combined with original detail such as hand-carved doors, stained-glass ornamentation, winding staircases, large open grates and attic bedrooms.
Head to the Seahorse Inn for more details.
Coachmans Eden
Formerly known as Coachman’s Rest Motor Inn, Coachmans Eden is a recently renovated motel offering quality rooms that are comfortable, modern and very well priced.
Head to the Coachmans Eden for more details.
Eden Oceanview
Eden Oceanview is a bright and spacious, fully self-contained beach house, nestled on a headland between two bays, with spectacular views of the ocean, beaches and rocky headlands on one side and Eden’s picturesque harbour and wharf on the other.
Head to the Eden Oceanview for more details.
Getting to Eden
By Car, Eden is just over 6 hours from Sydney, 7 hours from Melbourne and around 3.5 hours from Canberra. If you aren’t keen to drive the k’s, then you can choose to fly into Merimbula Airport and hire a car (it’s around 20 minutes away from Eden).
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