Davidson Whaling Station
South Coast
Overview
Take a guided tour at historic Davidson Whaling Station – discover how killer whales helped the Davidson family. And when you're done, finish the day with a picnic at the nearby beach.
- Type
- Historic buildings/places
- Where
- 447 Boyd Road, Edrom, NSW, 2550 - in Green Cape area in Beowa National Park, Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site in South Coast
- Accessibility
- Medium
- Entry fees
-
It's free to visit Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site. Park entry fees apply in nearby Beowa National Park.
- Opening times
Entry to Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site is available at any time without a guide. Tours operate during the Eden Whale Festival. Please contact the park office to arrange a tour.
- Please note
The road to Ben Boyd Road is sealed, followed by 4km of unsealed road.
Discover a lifestyle from the past at Davidson Whaling Station historic site, located at Kiah Inlet on the shores of Twofold Bay, just a short drive from Beowa National Park.
Plan a trip in the summer or easter holidays or during the Eden Whale Festival and take a guided tour to see the fascinating 1890s weatherboard homestead. See where the Davidson family took to the seas, assisted by a pack of killer whales. The skeleton of the pack’s leader, ‘Old Tom’, is today displayed at the Eden Killer Whale Museum.
Check out the historic try-works, where blubber was processed, and learn all about the whaling operation. Walk a few steps to the beach to enjoy a picnic, swim, or just feel the sand between your toes.
Nearby
-
Boyds Tower walking track
Take an easy walk to historic Boyds Tower near Eden, find out about local history and marine animals, and enjoy whale watching from the lookouts.
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Light to Light walk
Begin this multi-day walk at Boyds Tower down the far south coast, and end at Green Cape Lighthouse. Stop for a swim and the opportunity to spot seals, seabirds and whales.
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Boyds Tower
Boyds Tower is the starting point of the Light to Light walk. Near Eden, this accessible landmark tells the story of Benjamin Boyd who built the tower in 1847. Visit for some of the best whale watching on the NSW south coast.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/davidson-whaling-station-historic-site/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site in the South Coast region
- in the Green Cape area of Beowa National Park in the South Coast region
The Green Cape area of Beowa National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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$8 per vehicle per day in the Green Cape area of the park (south of Eden).
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Davidson Whaling Station.
Getting there and parking
Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site is approximately 10 minutes' drive south from Beowa National Park.
To get there:
- Travel south from Eden on the Princes Highway for 18km
- Turn off at Edrom Road and drive for 11km
- Turn left into Boyd Road
- Drive for 4km to the station’s carpark
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available in gravel carparks at Davidson Whaling Station Historic Site.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Beowa National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Camp at Bittangabee campground and see lyrebirds performing their characteristic dance and tail display.
Spring
Visit Green Cape Lighthouse or Boyds Tower to spot whales migrating south to their Antarctic feeding grounds - you might even see females with young calves.
Summer
Plan a camping trip to Saltwater Creek - to enjoy the lagoons and beautiful surf beach.
Winter
Take the Light to Light walk when it's nice and cool and the banksias are in bloom.
Facilities
Amenities
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Step-free access
- There are step-free pathways that run between each of the historic buildings at Davidson Whaling Station.
- There's also an asphalt path that leads to the try-works site and beach, but this path has a number of steps.
- Step-free outdoor pathways
Seats and resting points
There are 2 bench seats along the wood boardwalk towards the centre of the historic site.
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Assistance may be required at Davidson Whaling Station historic site:
- A gently sloping hard-packed ground path and boardwalk run down to the historic house
- The path to the try-works site and the beach has a number of steps
- The toilets are not accessible or ambulant
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.