BushwalkBushwalk
12 h, 2 days to 3 days
| Start | (-37.1044837,149.9512282) |
| Mode | Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.) |
| Directions | From Princes Highway, A1
|
| Finish | (-37.2595414,150.0479313) |
| Mode (end) | Car Shuttle Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.) |
| Turn map | Directions & comments |
|---|---|
  |
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Boyd Tower Intersection. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. 
Boyd car park (about 15 m back from the start).
 Boyd car park
Boyd car park
Boyd car park is found at the end 1.1km long unsealed Boyd Tower Rd, Edrom. The car park is spread around a turning circle at the end of the road. There is a concrete path leading to a toilet and water tank (empty) in the middle of the turning circle. Car parking bays are not marked, and there is space for about 20 cars plus a bus. There are no marked mobility parking areas. The surface is a fairly smooth gravel/clay. A manual pay station is available for park entry fees near the sheltered large information sign. The carpark is the start of the Light to Light walk and the path to Boyd Tower.
+
-
Boyd car park is found at the end 1.1km long unsealed Boyd Tower Rd, Edrom. The car park is spread around a turning circle at the end of the road. There is a concrete path leading to a toilet and water tank (empty) in the middle of the turning circle. Car parking bays are not marked, and there is space for about 20 cars plus a bus. There are no marked mobility parking areas. The surface is a fairly smooth gravel/clay. A manual pay station is available for park entry fees near the sheltered large information sign. The carpark is the start of the Light to Light walk and the path to Boyd Tower.
After 10 m find the "Pinch Point" (6 m on your right).
 Pinch Point
Pinch Point
Timber bollard pinch points at the start of the track at the carpark. The gap between the bollards are 1.18m, they are 55cm high.
+
-
Timber bollard pinch points at the start of the track at the carpark. The gap between the bollards are 1.18m, they are 55cm high.
After another 20 m find the "Toilet" (30 m on your right).
Toilet
Toilet
Unisex non-flushing toilet. Entrance is 90cm wide, toilet seat 40cm high, handrails 80cm high. Bolt lock 1m high.
+
-
Unisex non-flushing toilet. Entrance is 90cm wide, toilet seat 40cm high, handrails 80cm high. Bolt lock 1m high.
After another 2.4 km find the "Red sands bay" (10 m on your left).
 Red sands bay
Red sands bay
Red sands bay (not officially named) is a north-facing bay between Boyd Tower and Leather Jacket Bay in Ben Boyd National Park. The rocky bay is accessed via the Light to Light walk. The beach in this bay is made up of small boulders and a fine red gravel. Most of the red gravel is on the western side of the bay. The gravel is made from the sea smashing the red siltstone into small pieces. The red sands/gravel of this bay makes for a fantastic contrast on sunny days.
+
-
Red sands bay (not officially named) is a north-facing bay between Boyd Tower and Leather Jacket Bay in Ben Boyd National Park. The rocky bay is accessed via the Light to Light walk. The beach in this bay is made up of small boulders and a fine red gravel. Most of the red gravel is on the western side of the bay. The gravel is made from the sea smashing the red siltstone into small pieces. The red sands/gravel of this bay makes for a fantastic contrast on sunny days.
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
After another 1.1 km find the "Leather Jacket Bay" (10 m on your left).
 Leather Jacket Bay
Leather Jacket Bay
Leather Jacket Bay is a north-east facing beach between Boyd Tower and Mowarry Point in the Ben Boyd National Park. The bay has a sandy beach with small rock boulders between the sand and the ocean. The wooded forest behind the bay provides some shade, making this a great place to rest on the Light-to-Light walk. The bay can be access by the Light-to-Light track or by Newtons Road service trail from Edrom Rd.
+
-
Leather Jacket Bay is a north-east facing beach between Boyd Tower and Mowarry Point in the Ben Boyd National Park. The bay has a sandy beach with small rock boulders between the sand and the ocean. The wooded forest behind the bay provides some shade, making this a great place to rest on the Light-to-Light walk. The bay can be access by the Light-to-Light track or by Newtons Road service trail from Edrom Rd.
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
After another 680 m find the "Mowarry Point lookout" (10 m on your left).
 Mowarry Point lookout
Mowarry Point lookout
Mowarry Point lookout is an informal vantage on Mowarry Point in Ben Boyd National Park. There is no signage or other infrastructure. The lookout provides a unobstructed view to the north and north-east, along the coast of Ben Boyd National Park. The view extends up to Eden, into Twofold Bay and out over the South Pacific Ocean. There are some Melaleuca trees that offer limited shade.
+
-
Mowarry Point lookout is an informal vantage on Mowarry Point in Ben Boyd National Park. There is no signage or other infrastructure. The lookout provides a unobstructed view to the north and north-east, along the coast of Ben Boyd National Park. The view extends up to Eden, into Twofold Bay and out over the South Pacific Ocean. There are some Melaleuca trees that offer limited shade.
After another 2.6 km find the "Red Cliffs" (7 m on your left).
 Red Cliffs
Red Cliffs
Red Cliffs - These fantastic red coastal cliffs are found about 1km north of saltwater creek in Ben Boyd National Park. The cliffs are made of a red siltstone. As the name suggests, this rock is made from deposited silt, making it much finer grain than sandstone. The red silt came from nearby volcanic eruptions long ago, and is clearly different from the other brown siltstone and sandstone in the region. The cliff is unfenced and provides views out to sea and into a few surrounding bays.
+
-
Red Cliffs - These fantastic red coastal cliffs are found about 1km north of saltwater creek in Ben Boyd National Park. The cliffs are made of a red siltstone. As the name suggests, this rock is made from deposited silt, making it much finer grain than sandstone. The red silt came from nearby volcanic eruptions long ago, and is clearly different from the other brown siltstone and sandstone in the region. The cliff is unfenced and provides views out to sea and into a few surrounding bays.
|
 |
After another 65 m find the "Saltwater Creek Beach" (on your right).
 Saltwater Creek Beach
Saltwater Creek Beach
Saltwater Creek meets the South Pacific Ocean at a beautiful white sand beach in Ben Boyd National park. The beach looks north-east and has a rock shelf at either end. The wide Saltwater Creek forms a lagoon at the northern end, popular for swimming. Woodburn Creek also forms a lagoon on the southern end of the beach. Both creeks have a brown colouration from the tea tree, that forms a beautiful contrast with the white sand and blue ocean. The back of the beach is heavily wooded, providing some shade, and is home to the Saltwater Creek campsite. The beach can be accessed from the Saltwater Creek campsite at the end of the access road from Duck Hole Road.
+
-
Saltwater Creek meets the South Pacific Ocean at a beautiful white sand beach in Ben Boyd National park. The beach looks north-east and has a rock shelf at either end. The wide Saltwater Creek forms a lagoon at the northern end, popular for swimming. Woodburn Creek also forms a lagoon on the southern end of the beach. Both creeks have a brown colouration from the tea tree, that forms a beautiful contrast with the white sand and blue ocean. The back of the beach is heavily wooded, providing some shade, and is home to the Saltwater Creek campsite. The beach can be accessed from the Saltwater Creek campsite at the end of the access road from Duck Hole Road.
|
 |
After another 6.2 km find the "Black cliffs" (20 m on your left).
 Black cliffs
Black cliffs
The black cliffs of Ben Boyd National Park provide a great vantage point. The headland on the north side of Bittangabee has a fairly large clearing on a rock platform, high above the ocean. There are great views out to sea and into the mouth of Bittangabee Bay. There are no fences or facilities at this informal lookout. Being dark in colour, this rock platform can get very uncomfortable on hot days - trees on the south side provide some respite with shade. The rock slopes into the sea on the south side, but would be too dangerous for swimming.
+
-
The black cliffs of Ben Boyd National Park provide a great vantage point. The headland on the north side of Bittangabee has a fairly large clearing on a rock platform, high above the ocean. There are great views out to sea and into the mouth of Bittangabee Bay. There are no fences or facilities at this informal lookout. Being dark in colour, this rock platform can get very uncomfortable on hot days - trees on the south side provide some respite with shade. The rock slopes into the sea on the south side, but would be too dangerous for swimming.
Then find the "Bittangabee Creek" (8 m on your left).
 Bittangabee Creek
Bittangabee Creek
Bittangabee Creek is a small creek feeding Bittangabee Bay in Ben Boyd National Park. The creek enters the bay and is crossed by the Light to Light track about 800m north-west of Bittangabee Campsite. The creek provides a quiet place for people to paddle and relax.
+
-
Bittangabee Creek is a small creek feeding Bittangabee Bay in Ben Boyd National Park. The creek enters the bay and is crossed by the Light to Light track about 800m north-west of Bittangabee Campsite. The creek provides a quiet place for people to paddle and relax.
|
 |
After another 340 m find the "Imlay House" (on your left).
 Imlay House
Imlay House
Imlay House ruins still show the foundations of a house built by the Imlay brothers in 1844. The ruins are found in Bittangabee Bay in Ben Boyd National Park, along the Light to Light track. The house was to be a station for the Imlay family to further their grazing and whaling in the area. It appears the stone house was never completed, with the brothers dying in 1846 (George) and 1847 (Alexander). Soon after the Imlay brothers died, Benjamin Boyd began using the bay for his own whaling company in 1848.
+
-
Imlay House ruins still show the foundations of a house built by the Imlay brothers in 1844. The ruins are found in Bittangabee Bay in Ben Boyd National Park, along the Light to Light track. The house was to be a station for the Imlay family to further their grazing and whaling in the area. It appears the stone house was never completed, with the brothers dying in 1846 (George) and 1847 (Alexander). Soon after the Imlay brothers died, Benjamin Boyd began using the bay for his own whaling company in 1848.
|
 |
|
 |
After another 30 m find the "Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area" (on your right).
 Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area
Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area
Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area is near Bittangabee Bay and camp area in Ben Boyd National Park. The picnic area is a day-use only area with a few picnic tables, an electric BBQ and a pit toilet. There is a reasonable amount of natural shade, and is close to a car park. There is short walk to the beach and ruins at Bittangabee Bay. The picnic area is well signposted on the loop road near the Bittangabee camping area.
+
-
Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area is near Bittangabee Bay and camp area in Ben Boyd National Park. The picnic area is a day-use only area with a few picnic tables, an electric BBQ and a pit toilet. There is a reasonable amount of natural shade, and is close to a car park. There is short walk to the beach and ruins at Bittangabee Bay. The picnic area is well signposted on the loop road near the Bittangabee camping area.
|
 |
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Bittangabee Beach. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
|
 |
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Int. Light to Light Trk and Bittangabee Storehouse Trail. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 255 m find the "Southern Bittangabee Point lookout" (20 m on your left).
 Southern Bittangabee Point lookout
Southern Bittangabee Point lookout
Southern Bittangabee Point lookout is an unofficial lookout on the southern headland forming the entrance to Bittangabee Bay in Ben Boyd National Park. The lookout is not fenced or signposted and does not have any facilities. The lookout provides a view across the mouth of Bittangabee Bay and a short way down the coast to the south. There is also a view of the red rock platform below, forming a picturesque contrast with the ocean on sunny days.
+
-
Southern Bittangabee Point lookout is an unofficial lookout on the southern headland forming the entrance to Bittangabee Bay in Ben Boyd National Park. The lookout is not fenced or signposted and does not have any facilities. The lookout provides a view across the mouth of Bittangabee Bay and a short way down the coast to the south. There is also a view of the red rock platform below, forming a picturesque contrast with the ocean on sunny days.
|
 |
|
 |
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip to Pulpit Rock. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
|
 |
After another 50 m find the "Ly-ee-moon Graveyard" (10 m on your left).
 Ly-ee-moon Graveyard
Ly-ee-moon Graveyard
The Ly-ee-moon Graveyard is a stark reminder of the horrific accident on the night of May 31st, 1886, when 71 men, women and children lost their lives. The white stone and single cross marks the positions of the unnamed graves. The nearby plaque names the people who lost their lives - sadly some names where not known and these people are remembered only by comments such as 'one who had a German accent'.
During the dark night, the lighthouse keeper and assistant heroically rescued 16 people from the sea, and were left to listen to cries for help though the night of other people who could not be saved. The mother of Blessed Mary MacKillop, the first Australian to be beatified by the Catholic church, was one of those lost during the night.
The fast and normally reliable ship, operated by the Australian Steam Navigation Company, was a single screw ship converted from a paddle steamer when it was brought to Australia in 1876. The graveyard is about 300m north-west of the Green Cape lighthouse, which was operational at the time the SS Ly-ee-moon struck the reef and sunk.
+
-
The Ly-ee-moon Graveyard is a stark reminder of the horrific accident on the night of May 31st, 1886, when 71 men, women and children lost their lives. The white stone and single cross marks the positions of the unnamed graves. The nearby plaque names the people who lost their lives - sadly some names where not known and these people are remembered only by comments such as 'one who had a German accent'.
During the dark night, the lighthouse keeper and assistant heroically rescued 16 people from the sea, and were left to listen to cries for help though the night of other people who could not be saved. The mother of Blessed Mary MacKillop, the first Australian to be beatified by the Catholic church, was one of those lost during the night.
The fast and normally reliable ship, operated by the Australian Steam Navigation Company, was a single screw ship converted from a paddle steamer when it was brought to Australia in 1876. The graveyard is about 300m north-west of the Green Cape lighthouse, which was operational at the time the SS Ly-ee-moon struck the reef and sunk.
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
After another 6 m find the "Toilet" (on your right).
 Toilet
Toilet
Unisex non-flushing toilet. Entrance is 85cm wide, toilet seat 39cm high, handrails 77cm high. Floor space is 1.5x2.4m. Tank water tap 1m high.
+
-
Unisex non-flushing toilet. Entrance is 85cm wide, toilet seat 39cm high, handrails 77cm high. Floor space is 1.5x2.4m. Tank water tap 1m high.
|
 |
After another 115 m find the "Green Cape Telegraph Station" (6 m on your left).
 Green Cape Telegraph Station
Green Cape Telegraph Station
Green Cape Telegraph Station was established in 1882. The station acted as a relay station, re-sending ship-to-shore messages from boats passing by. Ships, and communication staff on Green Cape, would use semaphore flags to communicate a message. When required, the messages could also be relayed using Morse code. The telegraph station is a white concrete building with a tin roof. The building has a blue painted base and is less than 100m north of Green Cape Lighthouse in Ben Boyd National Park.
+
-
Green Cape Telegraph Station was established in 1882. The station acted as a relay station, re-sending ship-to-shore messages from boats passing by. Ships, and communication staff on Green Cape, would use semaphore flags to communicate a message. When required, the messages could also be relayed using Morse code. The telegraph station is a white concrete building with a tin roof. The building has a blue painted base and is less than 100m north of Green Cape Lighthouse in Ben Boyd National Park.
After another 30 m find the "Cape Lighthouse Keepers" (20 m on your left).
 Cape Lighthouse Keepers
Cape Lighthouse Keepers
The Cape Lighthouse Keepers' cottages is a large concrete building near Green Cape Lighthouse in Ben Boyd National Park. There are two cottages that have been refurbished, each sleeping up to 6 guests and boasting 3.5 stars. Each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, bathroom, lounge room (with sofa bed), Master bedroom (Queen) and second bedroom (2 singles). The price starts from $250 a night per cottage. Bookings are essential, for more info call NPWS on 13000 72757 or online
+
-
The Cape Lighthouse Keepers' cottages is a large concrete building near Green Cape Lighthouse in Ben Boyd National Park. There are two cottages that have been refurbished, each sleeping up to 6 guests and boasting 3.5 stars. Each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, bathroom, lounge room (with sofa bed), Master bedroom (Queen) and second bedroom (2 singles). The price starts from $250 a night per cottage. Bookings are essential, for more info call NPWS on 13000 72757 or online
After another 150 m find the "Green Cape Lighthouse" (10 m on your left).
 Green Cape Lighthouse
Green Cape Lighthouse
Green Cape Lighthouse is a majestic, 29 meter tall, white octagon-shaped, concrete and blue stone monolith, at the southern tip of Ben Boyd National Park. The lighthouse construction was tendered in 1880 and Albert Aspinall started construction in 1881. He built a timber tram line from Bittangabee Bay to transport materials. After having to dig footing much deeper than expected, in addition to dealing with workers' disputes, Aspinall went broke and his creditors completed the project. The original lantern was oil-fired and was visible 19NM out to sea. Today, the lighthouse still operates with a solar-powered electric light. The lighthouse buildings and grounds can be visited on a tour, otherwise enjoyed from outside the fence. The lighthouse was functionally replaced with a more modern metal tower 60m down the hill in 1992.
+
-
Green Cape Lighthouse is a majestic, 29 meter tall, white octagon-shaped, concrete and blue stone monolith, at the southern tip of Ben Boyd National Park. The lighthouse construction was tendered in 1880 and Albert Aspinall started construction in 1881. He built a timber tram line from Bittangabee Bay to transport materials. After having to dig footing much deeper than expected, in addition to dealing with workers' disputes, Aspinall went broke and his creditors completed the project. The original lantern was oil-fired and was visible 19NM out to sea. Today, the lighthouse still operates with a solar-powered electric light. The lighthouse buildings and grounds can be visited on a tour, otherwise enjoyed from outside the fence. The lighthouse was functionally replaced with a more modern metal tower 60m down the hill in 1992.
Then find the "Seat" (5 m on your left).
 Seat
Seat
A white painted timber bench seat, 27cm high, 20cm deep and 89cm wide with no arm or backrest.
+
-
A white painted timber bench seat, 27cm high, 20cm deep and 89cm wide with no arm or backrest.
After another 20 m find the "Picnic Table" (25 m on your left).
 Picnic Table
Picnic Table
A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 71cm high, 91cm deep and 2.5m wide. The seats are 49cm high, 35cm deep and 2.5m wide (no backrest). The ground on one side of the table is eroded.
+
-
A timber slat picnic table and bench seats. The table is 71cm high, 91cm deep and 2.5m wide. The seats are 49cm high, 35cm deep and 2.5m wide (no backrest). The ground on one side of the table is eroded.
Then find the "Trip Hazard" (5 m on your right).
 Trip Hazard
Trip Hazard
The boardwalk is slightly elevated and has an ungraded side with a 25cm drop to the side.
+
-
The boardwalk is slightly elevated and has an ungraded side with a 25cm drop to the side.
After another 105 m find the "Green Cape Lookout" (8 m on your right).
 Green Cape Lookout
Green Cape Lookout
The lookout at the point of Green Cape, at the southern end of Ben Boyd National Park, provides great views out to sea and along the coast. On the right, the view extends across Disaster Bay to Nadgee Nature Reserve and down into Victoria. To the left, there are views north along rugged sea cliffs and views of Green Cape Lighthouse and accommodation. An information sign at the lookout tells some of the story of the Ly-ee-moon tragedy. The lookout platform is fenced (1.07m high). There are no seats at the lookout.
+
-
The lookout at the point of Green Cape, at the southern end of Ben Boyd National Park, provides great views out to sea and along the coast. On the right, the view extends across Disaster Bay to Nadgee Nature Reserve and down into Victoria. To the left, there are views north along rugged sea cliffs and views of Green Cape Lighthouse and accommodation. An information sign at the lookout tells some of the story of the Ly-ee-moon tragedy. The lookout platform is fenced (1.07m high). There are no seats at the lookout.
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
"Green Cape".
 Green Cape
Green Cape
Green Cape is a headland at the southern end of Ben Boyd National Park, forming the northern head of Disaster Bay. The cape's traditional owners are the people of the Yuin nation, from whom there remains evidence of a number of camps in the area. The cape was named 'Green Point' by Matthew Flinders in 1798. The area began its notorious fame in 1802 when eight of Flinders' crew disappeared when fetching water, in what he then appropriately named 'Disaster Bay'. The Imlay brothers and Boyd both established whaling business in the area in the early to mid 1800's, leaving several buildings in the park. There were many shipwrecks in the surrounding waters, the most famous being the SS Ly-ee-moon, whose victims are buried on the cape. The most visible feature on the cape is the 29-metre high lighthouse that is still operational today. NPWS run 1-hour tours of the site based on bookings . There is a composting toilet at the car park at the end of Green Cape Road. Accommodation is also available in the renovated lighthouse keeper cottages.
+
-
Green Cape is a headland at the southern end of Ben Boyd National Park, forming the northern head of Disaster Bay. The cape's traditional owners are the people of the Yuin nation, from whom there remains evidence of a number of camps in the area. The cape was named 'Green Point' by Matthew Flinders in 1798. The area began its notorious fame in 1802 when eight of Flinders' crew disappeared when fetching water, in what he then appropriately named 'Disaster Bay'. The Imlay brothers and Boyd both established whaling business in the area in the early to mid 1800's, leaving several buildings in the park. There were many shipwrecks in the surrounding waters, the most famous being the SS Ly-ee-moon, whose victims are buried on the cape. The most visible feature on the cape is the 29-metre high lighthouse that is still operational today. NPWS run 1-hour tours of the site based on bookings . There is a composting toilet at the car park at the end of Green Cape Road. Accommodation is also available in the renovated lighthouse keeper cottages.
|
|
|
Class 4/6 Hard track |
|---|---|
| Length | 30.6 km |
| Time | 12 h, 2 days to 3 days |
| Quality of track | Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6) |
| Gradient | Very steep (4/6) |
| Signage | Minimal directional signs (4/6) |
| Infrastructure | Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6) |
| Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) |
| Weather | Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6) |
Toilet: There are 5 on route, on average they are 5.3 km apart with the largest gap of 14.2 km. Seat: There are 3 on route, on average they are 7.8 km apart with the largest gap of 30.1 km.| Item | From Start | Name & link to notes |
|---|---|---|
Seat
| 0 m + 420 m | Seat |
Seat
| 0 m + 260 m | Seat |
Entity|toilet
| 30 m | Toilet |
Toilet
| 13.3 km | [toilet] |
Toilet
| 26.8 km + 630 m | [toilet] |
Toilet
| 29.8 km | [toilet] |
Entity|toilet
| 29.8 km | Toilet |
Seat
| 30.1 km | Seat |
{{title}} {{title}}{{title}}
After another 15 m turn left.
There is a sign (about 10 m back from the start).
After another 1.5 km cross the ford.
Then pass the BBQ (65 m on your left).
After another 20 m head through/around the gate.
Then cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 275 m to the main route.
After another 10 m head down the 33 surface|wood steps (about 10 m long)
