Ben Boyd National Park is known for picturesque beaches and colourful cliffs. The park is on New South Wales south coast, close to Victoria. It’s split into two areas, both north and south of Eden and Twofold Bay.
What’s most memorable about Ben Boyd National Park is its curious wildlife, colourful cliffs and rocks, blended into a paradise of clear blue beaches and untouched forests. For wildlife, it’s one of the first places I saw wild wallabies and kangaroo up close—at Haycock Point. Close to the shore, you may also see dolphins.
Aside from Ben Boyd’s beauty, I found it not as busy as many other national parks, such as Wilsons Promontory and the Blue Mountains. So it’s just you, the park with the wild life and natural beauty.
Kangaroo at Haycock Point 
Multi-Purpose Warf, Ben Boyd National Park.
Although it didn’t immediately feel this way when first entering the national park. The entrance off the highway looks like an over-cleared forest with a touch of Navy pride. Mind you, there is a Navy base in the area. Try to ignore this awkward first impression, the park is better closer to the ocean.
The best time of year to visit the park is anytime aside from winter, due to the cold. Spring and autumn’s cool weather is best to discover walking tracks. Summer is better for spending time in the water for swimming, kayaking and snorkelling.
Most of the roads in Ben Boyd National Park are unsealed, especially in the northern end. These roads are accessible by conventional vehicles but be prepared to take it slow.
This guide to Ben Boyd National Park is everything visitors need to know about the park and what to do there. Keep in mind, the photos included are taken before the bush fires during the summer of 2019/2020. Many of the areas are still closed due to damage from bushfires, check NSW Parks for more information on closures in the area.
The Pinnacles, Ben Boyd National Park 
Haycock Point 
Haycock Point 
Haycock Point
Table of Contents
Northern Area: Pambula-Haycock
The northern area of the park, Pambula-Haycock, is free the enter. Here you can expect rocky beaches with colourful cliffs and sparkling water. This is also where Pambula River and Pambula Lake is located. The river has multiple spots for swimming, whereas the lake is better known for fishing.
Something to keep in mind for Pambula-Haycock is there’s no campgrounds, but there is some in the southern end of the park. Check out the bottom of this article for more information.
Where to Visit
Everything there is to do and see in the northern end of Ben Boyd National Park is in this list. In addition to where to visit, I’ve included what each place is known for and how to stay busy there. Keep scrolling further for walking tracks below.
Barmouth Beach
One of the best places to swim in the northern end of Ben Boyd National Park is Barmouth Beach. The beach is located where Pambula River flows into the ocean, on the southern side of the river. There’s big red rocks which make for a good place to discover the area. Watch the sunset across the water at Pambula Beach.
Haycock Point
This is the best area in Pambula-Haycock for walking trails through airy forests, rocky cliffs and clear water. The rocks at the end of Haycock Point are a great spot to see dolphins and whales.
On the walk from the parking lot to Haycock Point it’s common to see walk see the local kangaroo and wallabies. There’s facilities at Haycock Point, including a picnic area, barbecues and bathrooms. This makes it the perfect place to sit down for food, or just bask in the sun.
There’s multiple walking tracks from Haycock Point, including to Barmouth Beach. Check below for more information on this walk.
Severs Beach
This beach spot is right on Pambula River and is a good starting point for kayaking along the river. It’s also a great swimming area. But, there’s no toilet facilities so think twice before planning a day trip here.
Terrace Beach and Lennards Island
Terrace Beach and Lennards Island is the final spot to stop at in Ben Boyd National Park. It’s a quiet area with a beach and walking tracks. Visitors frequent this area for fishing and bird watching. But, make sure to purchase and carry a fishing license before throwing out a line.
Walks and Hikes
While there aren’t any multi-day hikes on this end of the park, there’s many day hikes to keep your legs busy.
Pinnacles loop walking track – 20-40 mins
This is the walk to see the iconic Pinnacles that Ben Boyd National Park is known for. This walk passes by two lookouts. The walk also goes past small trails down to the beaches. Keep an eye out for the huge termite hills as well!
Pambula River walking track – 20-40 mins
This walking track around the river is ideal for those wanting a closer look at wildlife, and scenic views of the coast. It’s an easy walk, that’s an alternative to just sitting on the beach.
Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach – 1.5-2.5 hours (one-way)
Remember to arrange a ride or pickup for this walk, unless you intend to do it twice, back to your vehicle. This walk hovers over the cliff sides between Haycock Point and Barmouth Beach. Lookout for wildlife along the way, including dolphins in the ocean.
Southern Area: Green Cape
Green Cape is the southern end of Ben Boyd National Park. It has more paid areas than the northern section, which will set you back A$8 a day per vehicle. There are some free areas even in the southern area though. Green Cape is home to multi-day and short walks, clear water, historical points and whale watching.
Visiting Green Cape area in Ben Boyd National Park calls for a more busy day than its northern neighbour. What’s unique about the southern end is that it’s shared with Australia’s armed forces and other industrial businesses, such as trees plantations. It makes driving around a bit confusing, but with the right knowledge, everything will fall into place.
Sightseeing
These places to visit have suggestions of what to do and what makes each place special. But, this section of the park is likely still closed due to bush fires, check NSW Parks for more information, before planning a visit.
- Davidson Whaling Station
- Bittangabee Bay ruins
- Disaster Bay lookout
- Green Cape lookout
- Multi-Purpose Warf (free to park)
Interested in swimming? The only swimming spot in Green Cape is Bittangabee Bay, but watch out for rips and other hazards while swimming.
Hikes and Walks
This end of Ben Boyd National Park is a paradise for walks and hikes. Some even span multiple days, whereas others lead to some of the most peaceful and historic spots in the park.
Light to Light walk – 2-3 days (one-way)
This is the most iconic walk in Ben Boyd National Park. This multi-day hike begins around Boyd Tower and finishes at Green Cape Lighthouse. Through the 30 kilometres, walkers are immersed into the park’s natural peace and beauty.
Campgrounds to stay at along the way include: Bittangabee and Saltwater Creek. Remember to arrange a ride and/or pickup, as the beginning and end of the walk is different. These walks make up the Light to Light walk, they can also be done as stand-alone walks.
- Boyds Tower to Saltwater Creek – 4-5.5 hours (one-way)
- Saltwater Creek to Bittangabee Bay – 3-4 hours (one-way)
- Bittangabee Bay to Green Cape – 2-3 hours (one-way)
Boyds Tower walking track – 15-45 minutes
This walking track goes from the parking lot to the tower on the coast. There’s two lookouts throughout the walking track looking out to the coast. One looks towards the ocean and the other towards Twofold Bay. The tower is a historic area, but coupled with lookouts, this is more than a walk into the past.
Accommodation
There’s more than just campgrounds at Ben Boyd National Park, there’s also an accommodation specifically for walkers doing the coastal Light to Light walk. Read on for all the ways to sleep in the park overnight.
Green Cape Lightstation Keepers’ Cottages
Find comfort in sleeping close to shipwrecks? Well you don’t necessarily have to. But, the Green Cape Lightstation Keepers’ Cottages will keep you feeling cozy throughout your stay. The area has walks, sightseeing and whale watching available to guests. It’s also the only non-camping accommodation in Ben Boyd National Park.
Saltwater Creek Campground
This budget-friendly campground has just 14 sites and can accommodate most types of vehicles—as long as they survive the unsealed road. It has drop-toilets, picnic areas, barbecue facilities and a beach.
As it’s a remote campsites, there’s no water available including for cooking and drinking. Bring your own campfire wood for when campfires are permitted. This campground doesn’t have any cellphone service.
Bittangabee campground
Bittangabee is the second campground in Ben Boyd National Park. This campsite is suitable to all types of campers, including motorhomes, camper trailers, and tents. Facilities at the campground include toilets, picnic areas and barbecue facilities close to the beach. There’s no cellphone service at the campground.
Telegraph Station bunkhouse
This accommodation is specifically for those doing the Light to Light walk. There’s only one room which accommodates up to four people. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s the perfect place to hide from the elements and take a hot shower during a multi-day walk. As the name alludes to, this accommodation is converted from a 19th century telegraph station.
Interested in more national parks along the Australia’s east coast? Check out these guides for Wilsons Promontory National Park and Booderee National Park.
