Situated between the “Humpback Highway” and the Ben Boyd National Park, the little fishing village of Eden makes an ideal nature escape. Take a whale-watching boat trip, relax on the beach and hike the stunning rocky coastline.
Learn about Eden’s former whaling industry at the Davidson Whaling Station and Eden Killer Whale Museum. The skeleton of an Orca known as “Old Tom” is housed in the Whale Museum. A pod of these predators, including “Old Tom,” would hunt and attack baleen whales and alert whalers of their arrival. In return, the pod was given the lips and tongue of the hunted whale.
The family the Orcas had the closest relationship with were the Davidsons who continued to use hand harpoons and rowing boats even after other whalers had taken up motorboats. Visit the old Davidson Whaling Station to see the tools of the grisly trade.
Families travelling with children can find out more about the underwater world at the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre. Aquariums, touch tanks, educational films and hands-on experiments and activities will delight young travellers. The centre is open daily during school holidays and on weekdays during term time.
Explore the Ben Boyd National Park on a 3-day hiking adventure on the Light to Light walk between Boyds Tower and the Green Cape Lightstation. Shorter walks through heathland will give you ample time to admire the scenery and spot potoroos, ground parrots and seabirds. On the Pinnacles loop track, amble along the rocky coastline to the unusual red and white cliffs of the Pinnacles.
View whales in their natural environment on a whale-watching boat cruise. Cruise the ocean and look for bottlenose and common dolphins, fur seals, penguins and turtles. Southern right, minke, blue and Bryde’s whales sometimes feed in the bay and “Old Tom’s” relations are also still seen in the area.
Eden is set in the deep natural harbour of Twofold Bay. The town is served by regional buses.
