The Light to Light Walk: a planning guide to Beowa National Park's coastal hike

The Light to Light Walk follows the red-rock coastline of Beowa National Park south of Eden, from Boyds Tower on Red Point to Green Cape Lighthouse, the southernmost lighthouse in New South Wales. Along the way it crosses wind-sculpted headlands, quiet beaches, coastal heath and eucalypt forest, with some of the best whale watching on the east coast. In 2025, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) opened an upgraded version of the walk, with realigned and repaired track and two new walk-in campgrounds.

This guide summarises NPWS information to help you plan. Always check the official visitor information and local alerts before you go.

Key facts

The route, section by section

NPWS publishes detailed day-by-day track notes. In broad terms, the walk unfolds like this.

Boyds Tower to Mowarry Point

The walk begins at Boyds Tower, a sandstone tower built in the 1840s for Benjamin Boyd's whaling and shipping ventures in Twofold Bay. The track heads south along the coast past the striking red and white rock formations of the area, crossing small beaches and headlands. Mowarry Point, one of the new hike-in campgrounds, is the first overnight stop on the classic three-day itinerary.

Mowarry Point to Hegartys Bay

The middle day passes Saltwater Creek, a beachside campground with reliable tank water and car access, and continues along cliffs, heath and forest towards Hegartys Bay, a small rocky bay with the second hike-in campground.

Hegartys Bay to Green Cape Lighthouse

The final day passes Bittangabee Bay, with the ruins of a storehouse built by the Imlay brothers in the nineteenth century, then heads through coastal forest and heath to Green Cape and its lighthouse, completed in 1883.

Campgrounds and bookings

There are four campgrounds on the walk. All have non-flush toilets and rainwater tanks.

• Mowarry Point and Hegartys Bay are walk-in only, with camping platforms. They must be booked online through NPWS.
• Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee are car-accessible campgrounds on the route, useful for building your own itinerary or for doing the walk as day walks.

Book well ahead for school holidays and spring weekends.

Water

NPWS warns that the small tanks at Mowarry and Hegartys are not a reliable supply. You pass Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee on days two and three, where tank water is more reliable. Treat all water before drinking by boiling it for at least five minutes or using treatment tablets, a filter or UV treatment. Carry enough capacity for hot days.

Fitness and preparation

The walk is graded 4. Expect steep and uneven sections, soft sand on beaches, rock platforms that can be slippery, and exposure to wind and sun on the headlands. Carrying a full pack with tent, food and water makes each day harder than the distances suggest. If you are new to multi-day walking, consider a guided trip or walking a section as a day walk first.

Transfers and parking

The walk is one way, so you need to arrange transport between the start and finish. Parking is available at Boyds Tower, Saltwater Creek, Bittangabee and Green Cape. NPWS lists optional transfer services from Merimbula and Eden. A vehicle entry fee applies in the Green Cape area of the park.

When to go

• Spring brings migrating humpback whales close to the coast, wildflowers and mild walking weather.
• Autumn is often settled, with cooler days.
• Winter can be cold and windy, but clear days are beautiful and whales pass on their northern migration.
• Summer is warm and busy, with higher fire danger and a need for extra water.

The park can close for poor weather, fire danger or management works such as pest control programs. Check NPWS local alerts and the NSW Rural Fire Service before you set out.

Wildlife

Watch for humpback whales from the headlands in season, as well as seals, dolphins and seabirds. On land, look for lyrebirds, wallabies and goannas. Keep food secured at camp, and never feed wildlife.

What to pack

• a tent suitable for the platforms (check NPWS platform dimensions)
• sleeping bag and mat, stove and fuel (check fire rules)
• water treatment and enough water capacity
• broad-brimmed hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
• waterproof and warm layers for changeable coastal weather
• first-aid kit, map and a personal locator beacon
• sturdy, broken-in walking boots

Safety

• Tell someone your plans and expected return time.
• Stay well back from cliff edges and take care on rock platforms, where waves can surge unexpectedly.
• Mobile coverage is patchy. A personal locator beacon is strongly recommended.
• In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Doing the walk as day walks

If you prefer not to carry a full pack, you can walk sections as day walks from the car-accessible points, or base yourself at Saltwater Creek or Bittangabee and walk out and back. This is also a good way to sample the walk before committing to the full three days.

Plan the rest of your trip

Eden is the closest town to the walk. Combine it with a visit to the Killer Whale Museum and a whale watching cruise in season. Our national parks page covers other parks nearby, and the Sapphire Coast hub brings everything together.