Beowa National Park (formerly Ben Boyd National Park) is a spectacular national park on the South Coast of New South Wales. Featuring breathtaking beaches, geological wonders, superb coastal lookouts, abundant wildlife and historical attractions, Beowa National Park is a worthwhile natural space to explore. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting Beowa National Park.
Table of Contents
About Beowa National Park
Beowa National Park is the southernmost national park in New South Wales, covering approx. 10,500 hectares along the Sapphire Coast. Managed by NSW National Parks, the park is split into two major areas, divided by Twofold Bay.
The northern section is known as the Pambula-Haycock area, which is bordered by Pambula River to the north. The southern section is known as the Green Cape area, which is bordered by Wonboyn Lake to the south. You’ll find the town of Eden in between these areas – a town famous for its stellar location for whale watching. Although, the town falls outside of the national park’s boundaries.
Personally, Beck and I really enjoyed our visit to the national park. We spent time in both the Pambula-Haycock and Green Cape areas, and highly recommend that you visit both areas too, if you’re visiting the national park. In this guide, we’ll reveal our favourite places to explore in both areas of the national park. This includes details about visiting the best beaches, natural wonders, lookouts and historical attractions.
Before we tell you about the best things to do in the national park, let’s have a brief look at the park’s interesting history.
Beowa National Park History
Beowa National Park was established in 1971 under the name Ben Boyd National Park. The park was named after Scotsman Benjamin Boyd, who was a wealthy pastoralist, businessman and slave trader in the 1840s.
Given his link to the slave trade and in an effort to acknowledge and respect local Aboriginal cultural heritage, Ben Boyd National Park was renamed Beowa National Park in 2022. The word ‘Beowa’ means ‘orca’ or ‘killer whale’ to the Thaua people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the national park. The word ‘Beowa’ is of cultural significance to the Thaua people, who believed when a person died they were reincarnated as an orca.
In Beowa National Park, you’ll find over 50 Aboriginal sites, including middens, rock shelters, campsites and travel routes. As well, there are more recent attractions steeped in seafaring history, such as the Green Cape Lighthouse.
So, exactly where is the national park located?
Where Is Beowa National Park?
Beowa National Park is located in the South Coast region of New South Wales. It’s located just south of the coastal towns of Pambula and Merimbula, while the town of Eden is surrounded by the national park. It takes around 6–7 hours to drive to the national park from Sydney. Did somebody say road trip?
To help get your bearings, please click on the image below to access an interactive map of the national park.
Where to Stay Nearby?
Things to Do in Beowa National Park
There are many fun things to do in Beowa National Park. During our visit, Beck and I divvied up our time between scoping out natural and historical attractions. To help you plan your trip, we’ll list all of the best places to visit in both the Pambula-Haycock and Green Cape areas. Then, we’ll point out the highlights and what we consider must-see places to explore during your trip to the national park.
Let’s start with the best things to do in the Pambula-Haycock area.
Pambula-Haycock Area (North) Highlights
These are all of the best places to visit and things to do in the Pambula-Haycock area of the national park. Please click on the image below to access an interactive map of the Pambula-Haycock area.
- The Pinnacles Loop Walking Track
- Pinnacles Beach
- Haycock Point
- Barmouth Beach
- Severs Beach
- Terrace Beach
- Lennards Island
- Pambula River Walking Track
Below, we’ll look at our three favourite attractions in the Pambula-Haycock area. Undoubtedly, the standout natural attraction in the entire national park, let alone the Pambula-Haycock area, is The Pinnacles.
The Pinnacles Loop Walking Track
The Pinnacles is an astonishing half-white and half-orange rock formation, which consists of a soft white sandstone base, topped with a layer of orange gravelly clay. It’s believed that The Pinnacles formed around 65 million years ago during the Tertiary geological period.
By doing the Pinnacles Loop Walking Track, you can reach several lookouts, which provide stellar views of the incredible landform.
Read more: Pinnacles Loop Walking Track – 20 Things You Need to Know
Pinnacles Beach
The Pinnacles are located on the picturesque Pinnacles Beach. Interestingly though, you don’t need to step foot on the beach to actually see The Pinnacles. You can simply do the Pinnacles Loop Walking Track, which leads to lookouts overlooking the remarkable landform.
Inevitably, many people simply do the Pinnacles Loop Walking Track without ever setting foot on Pinnacles Beach. Personally, Beck and I think this is a shame as the beach is stunning and worth visiting in its own right. Also, by accessing the beach at low tide, it’s possible to get to the base of The Pinnacles!
Read more: Pinnacles Beach – The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide
Haycock Point
Not far from The Pinnacles, you’ll find the underrated Haycock Point. Awash with mesmerising purple-coloured rocks, Haycock Point is easily one of the most naturally wondrous spots along the Sapphire Coast. From the car park, which is located next to the Haycock Point Picnic Area, you’ll walk around 300–400 metres to get to Haycock Point.
Green Cape Area (South) Highlights
Other than exploring the Pambula-Haycock area, the Green Cape area is just as worthy of your time. The Green Cape area of Beowa National Park features important historical attractions, glorious bays and lookouts and is also home to the multi-day Light to Light Walk. Again, feel free to click on the image below to access an interactive map of the area.
- Boyds Tower Walking Track
- Disaster Bay Lookout
- Green Cape Lighthouse
- Green Cape Lookout
- Bittangabee Bay
- Light to Light Walk
Below, we’ll talk about most of the attractions listed above, except the Light to Light Walk, as we sadly didn’t have enough time to do it. For details about the Light to Light Walk, click here.
Boyds Tower Walking Track
Along this short walking track (400 metres one-way), you can visit the imposing Boyds Tower. Fascinatingly, the tower, instigated by Ben Boyd, was never completed nor commissioned as a lighthouse. There is even a missing section that was displaced by lightning!
Other than seeing the tower, you’ll enjoy superb views of the Pacific Ocean, Twofold Bay and the surrounding coastline.
Bonus tip: if you want to do a longer walk, but are not up for the multi-day Light to Light Walk, you can walk just a section. This includes following along the Boyds Tower to Saltwater Creek Walking Track or even the Bittangabee Bay to Green Cape Lighthouse Walking Track.
Disaster Bay Lookout
The Disaster Bay Lookout is perhaps the best viewpoint in Beowa National Park, let alone the Green Cape area. As you may have guessed, the lookout provides views of Disaster Bay. On top of that, the views extend out to the Nadgee-Howe Wilderness area that edges towards the Victorian border. You’ll find a car park located at the lookout, so you’ll enjoy a stellar view without much effort to reach the lookout.
Green Cape Lighthouse
The 29 metre high Green Cape Lighthouse was built in 1883 and is the southernmost lighthouse in New South Wales. If you want to learn more about the history of the lighthouse, it’s possible to do a guided tour on request. Otherwise, you can simply do the short walk to the Green Cape Lighthouse and Lookout. From the car park, it’s a very easy and flat 1km return walk, where you’ll pass the lighthouse and then enjoy epic views of the coastline from the lookout.
In terms of animals in Beowa National Park, Beck and I were lucky to see a wombat grazing on the lawn of the Green Cape Lightstation Keeper’s Cottages. These cottages are located right next to the lighthouse.
Bittangabee Bay
Bittangabee Bay is a secluded bay, where you’ll find a campground and a picnic area. The bay is quite small, yet it’s packed with beauty. The water is a surreal shade of turquoise blue, while the bay is surrounded by rocky headlands and coastal bushland. You’ll feel quite removed from civilisation during a visit to Bittangabee Bay – oh, what a feeling!
Things to Do Near Beowa National Park
Other than Beowa National Park itself, there are many other naturally captivating national parks and places to visit nearby. Below, we’ll talk about two other nearby national parks and a waterfall worth chasing.
Mount Imlay National Park
Sure, there aren’t as many things to do and points of interest in Mount Imlay National Park. But, perhaps it’s the rawness and ruggedness of Mount Imlay National Park that make it appealing for the outdoor explorer.
Located around 30km south of Eden, the landscape of the in-land national park is dominated by Mount Imlay, which rises approx. 886 metres above sea level. It’s actually possible to hike to the peak of the mountain by following the challenging Balawan Summit Walking Track. Otherwise, birdwatching, picnicking and scenic driving are popular things to do in this national park.
Mimosa Rocks National Park
Mimosa Rocks National Park is certainly one of the most underrated national parks in the South Coast region of New South Wales. As a whole, this national park is about half the size of Beowa National Park. But, there are still loads of great things to do and places to see at Mimosa Rocks National Park.
The area is a diverse ecosystem of beaches, lagoons, sea caves, headlands, rock formations, bushland and coastal forest. So, expect plenty in the way of bushwalking, beach hopping, swimming, surfing, snorkelling, kayaking, birdwatching and camping. Personally, Beck and I really enjoyed doing the Mimosa Rocks Walking Track and visiting Moon Bay. FYI – make sure to also visit the lovely Tathra Beach, just north of Mimosa Rocks National Park.
Read more: Mimosa Rocks National Park – The Complete Visitor’s Guide
Nethercote Falls
Nethercote Falls is an enchanting 10 metre high waterfall found along the Yowaka River just outside of Beowa National Park. The waterfall is located in a mind-blowing gorge. Certainly, the rocky amphitheatre surrounding the waterfall is just as spectacular as the falls itself. Definitely, go chase this waterfall!
Read more: Nethercote Falls – Everything You Need to Know
Accessibility at Beowa National Park
According to NSW National Parks, the Boyds Tower Walking Track and one of the Greencape Lighthouse cottages are wheelchair friendly.
Beowa National Park Accommodation
Other than camping options, there are also lodging options in Beowa National Park. You can choose from the historic self-catering cottages at the Green Cape Lightstation Keepers’ Cottages or Telegraph Station Bunkhouse. For more information and to book, please click on the links above.
Beowa National Park Camping
There are two campgrounds in the Green Cape area of Beowa National Park. These include the Saltwater Creek Campground and the Bittangabee Campground. Both campsites are sensationally located on the coast. You’ll find both campsites are used by those doing the Light to Light Walk. For more details and to make a booking, please click on the links above.
Camping Gear
Where to Stay Near Beowa National Park
Many people visit Beowa National Park on a day trip from either Eden or Merimbula. As mentioned, Eden is conveniently positioned near the national park. While Merimbula is just a short drive from the Pambula-Haycock area.
So, many people stay in either Eden or Merimbula and visit the national park from there. Both have excellent accommodation options by the coast.
Personally, Beck and I stayed in Eden during our time exploring the national park. Eden was a great base as it’s located between the Pambula-Haycock and Green Cape areas. Indeed, from Eden, most attractions in the national park are fairly close by.
Stay in Eden or Merimbula
How to Get to Beowa National Park
The only way to get to and around Beowa National Park is to drive there as there is no public transport access. If you don’t have a car, we recommend hiring one for your trip to the national park. Simply use Google Maps or the interactive maps we’ve provided to help you navigate the area.
Car Hire
If you don’t have your own car, you should hire one using Discover Cars. Personally, we use Discover Cars and highly recommend them for finding your ideal car hire at an affordable price. Booking online is super easy and the free cancellation policy is great.
To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.
Travel Essentials
Here are some gear essentials, which are especially useful if you plan on walking in the national park.
Osprey Skarab 30
The Osprey Skarab 30 is our go-to hiking backpack for day hikes. This well-designed unisex backpack is comfortable and spacious, so you’ll have plenty of space to pack everything without feeling the strain on your upper back.
Osprey Ultralight Raincover
A waterproof backpack cover is an absolute must when you’re adventuring outdoors. The Osprey Ultralight Raincover Medium is a high-quality waterproof cover that’ll keep your backpack bone dry.
GRAYL Reusable Water Bottle
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best water filter bottle that allows you to purify 710mL (12 ounces) of water. This bottle will make water safe to drink wherever you’re hiking.
BUFF Original Ecostretch
The BUFF Original Ecostretch is a great option when it comes to multifunctional headwear. We use the Ecostretch as a neck gaiter to keep the sun off our necks and it helps us keep warm in cooler climates.
Sony Cybershot RX100 VII
Capture epic photos and videos with the Sony Cybershot RX100 VII. This is hands-down the best compact camera. We love using this simple point-and-shoot camera when we’re hiking as it’s lightweight and durable.
To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.
Beowa National Park FAQs
Below, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about Beowa Nationa Park (formerly Ben Boyd National Park).
What Is the New Name For Ben Boyd National Park?
The new name for Ben Boyd National Park is the Beowa National Park. The Beowa National Park name change occurred in 2022.
How Much Does It Cost to Go to Beowa National Park?
It’s free to visit the Pambula-Haycock area, but it costs $8/vehicle to enter the Green Cape area. Of course, those with a NSW National Parks Annual Pass are exempt from paying this fee.
Who Are the Traditional Owners of Beowa National Park?
The Thaua people (also known as the Yuin people) are the Traditional Custodians of the national park.
Is Beowa National Park Worth Visiting?
Yes, for sure! When it comes to NSW South Coast national parks, Beowa National Park is one of the most naturally beautiful and historically fascinating places to visit. We hope this guide and photos of Beowa National Park will help inspire you to visit!
Please let us know if you have any questions about visiting Beowa National Park (formerly Ben Boyd National Park).
We acknowledge and respect the First Nations people as the Traditional Custodians of the land/water that we visited and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
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