Green Cape area

Beowa National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Upgrades to Light to Light Walk

Upgrades to Light to Light walking track are underway and should be completed by mid 2024. Check for current and upcoming closures here. The date has been impacted by ongoing wet weather and additional track improvements. Find out more about the investment being made to upgrade Light to Light Walk in Beowa National Park.

Overview

Green Cape area is the southern section of Beowa National Park, located south of Eden. It’s your gateway to the Light to Light walk, camping, lighthouse accommodation and superb whale watching.

Read more about Green Cape area

The Green Cape area stretches from Boyds Tower, at the southern headland of Twofold Bay, to Disaster Bay at the southernmost tip of the park. And so does the 32km Light to Light walk which traces the park’s spectacular rocky coastline. It’s one of the best coastal walks in NSW.

Camp close to secluded beaches and bays at Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee campgrounds. You won’t be camping alone—the bush is alive with wildlife so you might be sharing with wombats, kangaroos, wallabies and superb lyrebirds. If you’re after a little bit of luxury, stay in a heritage lighthouse cottage at Green Cape and wake up to the waves.

The coast around Eden is one of Australia’s best whale watching destinations. To watch the action from land, you’ll get a good view from Boyds Lookout and Disaster Bay lookout. Drop in to Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site if you’re interested in the area's shore-based whaling history.

If you’re short on time, day trippers can still find plenty to do. Walk a small section of the Light to Light walk or stop at Boyds Tower for views of the ocean and the heavily folded red rock beds at Red Point.

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/green-cape-area/local-alerts

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See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about the Green Cape area.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    To get to attractions in the Green Cape area of Beowa National Park from Merimbula (40mins):

    • Travel on the Princes Highway past the town of Eden for around 16km.
    • Turn left onto Edrom Road.
    • Travel 4km along Edrom Road and then turn right onto Green Cape Road.
    • Travel along Green Cape Road through Forestry for approximately 8km until you hit the park entrance.
    • Or to get to the start of the Light to Light walk at Boyds Tower, travel along Edrom Road for 10km and turn right on Boyds Tower Road.

    You can also fly into Merimbula Airport from Sydney and Melbourne.

    Parking Show more

    Road quality

    2WD vehicles can access all areas in the Green Cape area but Green Cape Road can be very rough and bumpy. Please watch out for logging trucks that share this road.

    Best times to visit

    Autumn

    Cook up freshly caught fish by the campfire at Saltwater Creek campground. Pulpit Rock and City Rock are popular land-based fishing spots for experienced fishers (you need a fishing licence).

    Spring

    Are you wild about whales? Plan your visit around the Eden Whale Festival in early November and combine it with a whale watching tour.

    Summer

    Wake up at sunrise for a morning swim at Bittangabee Bay or Saltwater Creek and spend your days paddling, swimming and surfing. Bring your surfboard if you’re camping at Saltwater Creek campground—it’s close to the beach.

    Winter

    Hike the multi-day Light to Light walk when it’s nice and cool and the banksias are in bloom. If you’re starting your hike from Green Cape Lightstation, rest your head and take a hot shower at Telegraph Station bunkhouse before continuing. You can also walk the Light to Light in shorter sections if you’re short on time.

    Facilities

    Maps and downloads

    Fees and passes

    $8 per vehicle per day in the Green Cape area of the park (south of Eden).

    • All Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (including Kosciuszko NP) $190 (1 year) / $335 (2 years)
    • Multi Parks Pass - For all parks in NSW (except Kosciuszko) $65 (1 year) / $115 (2 years)
    • Single Country Park Pass - For entry to a single park in country NSW (except Kosciuszko). $22 (1 year) / $40 (2 years)
    • Country Parks Pass - For all parks in Country NSW (except Kosciuszko) $45 (1 year) / $75 (2 years)

    Annual passes and entry fees (https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/passes-and-fees)

    Safety messages

    For your safety, please don’t feed the wildlife.

    Beach safety

    Beaches in this park are not patrolled, and can sometimes have strong rips and currents. These beach safety tips will help you and your family stay safe in the water.

    Bushwalking safety

    If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

    Camping safety

    Whether you're pitching your tent on the coast or up on the mountains, there are many things to consider when camping in NSW national parks. Find out how to stay safe when camping.

    Fire safety

    During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

    Fishing safety

    Fishing from a boat, the beach or by the river is a popular activity for many national park visitors. If you’re planning a day out fishing, check out these fishing safety tips.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    River and lake safety

    The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

    Permitted

    Camp fires and solid fuel burners

    Camping

    Cycling

    You can only cycle or mountain bike on vehicle tracks. No cycling on walking tracks.

    Fishing

    A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.

    Prohibited

    Gathering firewood

    Generators

    Pets

    Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

    Smoking

    NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

    Nearby towns

    Eden (33 km)

    Eden is a historic whaling town, ideal for a whale-watch tour. It's built around a promontory that juts into Twofold Bay.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Merimbula (60 km)

    The main coastal towns of the Sapphire Coast include Bermagui, Tathra, Merimbula and Eden. This stunning coastline has sparkling beaches and bays, lakes and national parks, all accessible via excellent walking tracks and coastal drives. You'll find beaches just perfect for surfing, swimming and walks.

    www.visitnsw.com

    Learn more

    Green Cape area is a special place. Here are just some of the reasons why:

    Plants and animals protected in this park

    Animals

    • Yellow-tailed black cockatoo. Photo: Peter Sherratt

      Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)

      The yellow-tailed black cockatoo is one of the largest species of parrot. With dusty-black plumage, they have a yellow tail and cheek patch. They’re easily spotted while bird watching, as they feed on seeds in native forests and pine plantations.

    • White-bellied sea eagle. Photo: John Turbill

      White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

      White-bellied sea eagles can be easily identified by their white tail and dark grey wings. These raptors are often spotted cruising the coastal breezes throughout Australia, and make for some scenic bird watching. Powerful Australian birds of prey, they are known to mate for life, and return each year to the same nest to breed.

    •  Superb lyrebird, Minnamurra Rainforest, Budderoo National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

      Superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae)

      With a complex mimicking call and an elaborate courtship dance to match, the superb lyrebird is one of the most spectacular Australian animals. A bird watching must-see, the superb lyrebird can be found in rainforests and wet woodlands across eastern NSW and Victoria.

    • An eastern ground parrot bird's green and yellow colouring camouflages it amongst grassland. Photo: Lachlan Hall © Lachlan Hall

      Eastern ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus wallicus)

      The eastern ground parrot is a beautiful, ground-dwelling native bird that lives in low heathland habitat along the NSW North and South coasts and escarpments. It’s listed as a vulnerable species in NSW.

    • Lace monitor, Daleys Point walking track, Bouddi National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

      Lace monitor (Varanus varius)

      One of Australia’s largest lizards, the carnivorous tree-dwelling lace monitor, or tree goanna, can grow to 2m in length and is found in forests and coastal tablelands across eastern Australia. These Australian animals are typically dark blue in colour with whitish spots or blotches.

    Plants

    •  Black sheoak. Photo: Barry Collier

      Black sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis)

      The black sheoak is one of a number of casuarina species found across the east coast of Australia and nearby tablelands. Growing to a height of 5-15m, these hardy Australian native plants can survive in poor or sandy soils. The barrel-shaped cone of the black sheoak grows to 10-30mm long.

    •  Grey mangrove, Towra Point Nature Reserve. Photo: John Spencer

      Grey mangrove (Avicennia marina)

      Grey mangrove is the most common and widespread mangrove found within intertidal zones across Australia, and throughout the world. Growing to a height of 3-10m, they thrive best in estuaries with a mix of fresh and salt water. They excrete excess salt through their long thick leaves, and absorb oxygen through their aerial root system.

    • Old man banksia, Moreton National Park. Photo: John Yurasek

      Old man banksia (Banksia serrata)

      Hardy Australian native plants, old man banksias can be found along the coast, and in the dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone mountain ranges of NSW. With roughened bark and gnarled limbs, they produce a distinctive cylindrical yellow-green banksia flower which blossoms from summer to early autumn.

    Environments in this area

    What we're doing

    Green Cape area has management strategies in place to protect and conserve the values of this park. Visit the OEH website for detailed park and fire management documents. Here is just some of the work we’re doing to conserve these values: