Light to Light Walk

Walk Overview

This walk is located in the southern section of Beowa National Park (formerly Ben Boyd National Park) and generally follows the coastline. It runs between Boyds Tower, located approximately 20 km south of Eden, and Green Cape Lightstation, a further 30 km south. The walk can be done in either direction, but a finish at Green Cape Lightstation lends itself to a night (or more) staying in one of the delightful restored lighthouse keeper’s cottages.

The walk can be accessed by road at a couple of spots, but is generally a remote, wilderness walk. There are no settlements on or near to the walk route and no night accommodation options on the route itself other than camping. There are, however, several walking tour operators that provide a range of services for walkers. With the assistance of these operators, the walk can be undertaken by most people with a reasonable level of fitness.

Beowa National Park is part of New South Wales’ Sapphire Coast.The Sapphire Coast is the southern-most stretch of New South Wales’ coast. It runs from Bermagui in the north for about 140 km’s down to the Victorian border. It is renowned for the sapphire blue colour of its Pacific Ocean waters, coastal forests, picture-perfect beaches and temperate climate.

Further information:

• A three day itinerary is described below.

• For more information on walking on the Sapphire Coast, click the button below.

Itinerary

The walk takes 2-3 days to complete. An itinerary completing the entire track is shown below.

Day 1

Boyd Tower to Saltwater Creek

Distance: 13km

Time: 5 hours

Accommodation: Camping or transport to accommodation

Day 2

Saltwater Creek to Bittangabee Bay

Distance: 9km

Time: 4 hours

Accommodation: Camping or transport to accommodation

Day 3

Bittangabee Bay to Green Cape Lightstation

Distance: 7km

Time: 3 hours

Accommodation: Cottages at Green Cape Lightstation

Walk Options

Guided

Several tour operators offer this walk as a guided trip.

The tour operators generally follow the three day walking itinerary described above.

Accommodation options include camping, glamping, accommodation in the restored lighthouse keeper’s cottages at Green Cape Lightstation and a variety of accommodation in Eden (with transport to and from the track).

Generally, the tour operators that offer the walk as a guided camping trip have arrangements in place so that day packs only need to be carried while walking.

Some tour operators offer additional activities or enticements, such as oyster tastings, a short coastal cruise and local specialties incorporated into the menu.

Typically, the package offered by these operators includes:

• Transfers to and from Eden or Merimbula

• 3 day tour with professional guides,

• 2 nights accommodation

• All meals

• Transfers between the track and the accommodation (where applicable)

• Emergency support

• National park entrance fees 

Assisted self-guided

Some of the tour operators who offer guided trips on the Light to Light Walk provide self-guided services as well. Typically, the service includes:

• Track notes, maps and information pack

• 2 nights accommodation

• Luggage transport and vehicle transfers between track and accommodation

• Breakfasts, packed lunches and dinners (where needed)

• National Park admission

• Emergency support

The duration of the self-guided options is usually three days.

Independent

Along the track there are two National Park campsites with minimal facilities, Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee. These campsites mark the usual finishing spots for walking on day one and day two, respectively.  

The track campsites have bush toilets, rainwater tanks (often empty), picnic tables and BBQs. Shelters are not provided, walkers must bring their own tents. For the independent walker, water is an issue and it may be necessary to pre-arrange delivery by one of the walk service providers.

Essential Information

Access

The starting point for the Light to Light Walk is either Boyd Tower or Green Cape Lightstation. In each case, Eden is the nearest town, being about 20 km’s from Boyd Tower. 

There are no public transport facilities directly to the track. Public bus lines provide services along the Sapphire Coast, including to Eden.

There are private transport operators located in Eden who can provide transport to and from the Light to Light Walk for individuals and groups. Self-guided and guided tour operators also provide access to the track.

Taxis are also available in Eden.

Park entry

An $8 per vehicle per day charge applies to the southern section of Beowa National Park. A self-registration fee collection system operates. 

Best time

The walk can be done at any time of the year and different times have different attractions:

Autumn - lyrebirds put on a show

Spring - you have a great opportunity to see whales migrating south to their Antarctic feeding grounds

Summer - make the most of the pristine beaches and lagoons

Winter - various native plants bloom and the cooler weather makes for pleasant walking.

Difficulty

Under the Australian Walking Track Grading System, the walk is a Grade 4 walk, meaning that: “Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited”.

For your own assessment, it is noted that:

• The total walk distance is 31 km, typically undertaken over 3 days, meaning an average daily distance of 10 km’s

• The Beowa National Park is fairly flat, with the highest peak at 250 metres.  

Accommodation

In addition to the walk accommodation described in ‘Walk Options’ above, there are many accommodation options at Eden and Merimbula, both being popular holiday destinations.  Accommodation options range from camping and caravan park cottages and cabins through to large hotels, resorts and apartments.

Some of the accommodation providers near to the track are attuned to walkers’ needs or offer amenities suited to walkers. 

We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.

Other activities

As a popular tourism destination, the Sapphire Coast offers many attractions in addition to the Light to Light Walk. Many walkers choose to add extra days to their trip so that they can experience some of those attractions. The attractions include whale watching, fishing, coastal cruises, visiting an oyster farm, surfing, canoeing/kayaking and golf.