A former whaling station on the NSW on the
NSW South Coast's Twofold Bay 512km south of Sydney, Eden’s natural beauty is matched only by the district’s extraordinary history. A safe, Twofold Bay haven, Eden is home port to a large commercial fishing fleet and deep-sea angling enthusiasts can hop an off-shore charter craft to chase the big game. Despite the locals' insistence that you are, indeed, in a fishing paradise, the town owes its monicker not to heavenly intervention, but to the family name of Baron Auckland who was the British Secretary for the Colonies when Eden was being laid out in 1842.
Apart from the fishing, Ben Boyd National Park’s walking trails, swimming and camping
attractions, Eden also boasts continuing links with whales. Whale watching is a growth industry, while the Killer Whale Museum’s prized displays include skeletons and fossils of snails which died more than 70 million years ago
To the south of Eden lies Boydtown, established when in 1843 London banker turned whaler Ben Boyd unveiled plans to build a town to rival Sydney. Within five years he was bankrupt. Only the restored Sea Horse Inn and ruins of several buildings including Boydtown’s church remain.
Festivals: Eden Whale Festival (October)
Things to do:
Eden Killer Whale Museum - Imlay St, that is home most notably to the skeleton the killer whale called 'Tom' who helped whalers find their quarry.
Whale Watching - from the platforms along Aslings Beach
Fishing - there are good fishing spots off Aslings Beach, off the rocks, Eden Wharf or out from Quarantine Bay and Womboyn Lake. Cruises and fishing expeditions can be arranged in town.
Cannery Wharf - Tuna canning was a major industry in the town for the last half of the 20th century, but closed down in 1999 to move its cannery off shore.
Visitor Information Centre - Princes Highway, Eden.
In the area
Moarroo Bubbaroo Guddoo Keeping Place - in Pambula, for aboriginal cultural experiences
Ben Boyd National Park - for camping, bushwalking, swimming
Boydtown - a settlement including Seahorse Inn, built by convicts (and still running), set on the shores of a safe beach.
Boyd Tower - at Red Point, built as a lookout for whalers to spot potential catch
Davidson Whaling Station - historic site
Nadgee Nature Reserve - with unspoilt coastal habitats
Find out more about the NSW South Coast region.
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