This is the final of the three formal sections of the classic Light to Light track. This walk starts at Bittangabee Bay, where walkers can explore the ruins and and the scenic beach. The walk follows the coast through a variety of environments, mostly in open heath, taking full advantage of the coastal views. The walk explores a variety of natural splendours and human stories of triumph and tragedy. The walk finishes at the lighthouse on Green Cape.
A popular beach-side campsite, Bittangabee campground is a bush campsite with a short walk to the nearby Bittangabee Bay. The bay has a beach and a couple of creeks. This is a great place to access the coastal walking track - there is also plenty of swimming, fishing and snorkeling. The area has some interesting history, with the ruins of the storehouse and Imlay Brothers' house worth exploring. There are a some rainwater tanks, but these are not suitable for drinking so bring your own water.
Bittangabee Bay Beach
Alt = 3 m
Bittangabee Bay Beach, Ben Boyd National Park, is a small beach at the south-western corner of the bay. The beach can be accessed by a short walk from Bittangabee picnic area in Ben Boyd National Park. The yellow sand beach has a small creek and lagoon behind. The beach also has rock platforms at each end and is fairly well-protected from swells, being tucked away in the bay. The historic storehouse is visible on the shore to the right.
(0 km)
Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area
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Bittangabee Storehouse Ruins Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 322 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 13 m
Descent = -19 m
From the picnic area, the track follows the sign to 'Camping Area 500m', keeping the car park on the right of the track. The track leads below the road (above on the right) for some time, following the arrow markers to a signposted intersection next to the log road barriers. From the intersection, the track follows the sign for 'Walking Track' (not the same direction as the 'Beach' arrow) down the hill. The track leads down the hill a short way to an arrow track marker. From the intersection, the track does not follow the arrow marker but heads straight down the hill towards the water. The track steps down onto the water's edge where there is a roofless building on the right. The track follows around the building on the water side, to an information sign.
Bittangabee Storehouse ruins
Alt = 2 m
Bittangabee Storehouse ruins is located on the shore of Bittangabee Bay, near the campground, in Ben Boyd National Park. The concrete structure was built by Albert Aspinall (1839 - 1903) in 1881. The building was used to store material unloaded from ships onto a wooden jetty built at the same time. Aspinall then built a wooden tramway to move material and supplies to Green Cape to help in the construction of the lighthouse. The building is now a basic shell, missing roof, windows and a door. The concrete foundations of the timber wharf are still visible. Unfortunately, the building has been marred by graffiti, but is still worth the visit. More info
(0.32 km)
Bittangabee Storehouse Ruins
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Bittangabee Sth Headland Lookout Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 219 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 9 m
Descent = 0 m
From the intersection, the track leads up the hill, keeping the bay on the left of the track and the storehouse ruins behind on the right. The track veers right, up the hill to a signposted intersection. From the intersection, this walk follows the 'Walking Track' sign and arrow posts up the hill. The track winds through the heath and melaleuca for a short time, passing near the campsite (on the right) while following the arrow markers. The track leads closer to the sea on the left, to a clearing overlooking a rock shelf below at the sea and the mouth of Bittangabee Bay.
Southern Bittangabee Point lookout
Alt = 9 m
Southern Bittangabee Point lookout is an unofficial lookout on the southern headland forming the entrance to Bittangabee Bay in Ben Boyd National Park. The lookout is not fenced or signposted and does not have any facilities. The lookout provides a view across the mouth of Bittangabee Bay and a short way down the coast to the south. There is also a view of the red rock platform below, forming a picturesque contrast with the ocean on sunny days.
(0.54 km)
Bittangabee Sth Headland Lookout
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Int. Light to Light Walk and Pulpit Rock Rd Access Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 3.83 km
Time = 1 hr 11 mins
Climb = 99 m
Descent = -62 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow markers around the headland, keeping the ocean to the left and the camping area to the right. The track soon comes to a set of wooden stairs. The walk heads down these stairs into the creek bed, and then up the stairs on the other side. From the top of the stairs, this walk leads upstream of the creek, which is below on the right. The track follows this creek for some time, tending left away from it into the bush at times. The track winds slightly uphill for a while, then winds downhill to cross the rocky surface of another creek. The track heads up the hill and over the ridge before heading down to another creek bed. The track then leads up the hill to the cul-de-sac of a service trail.
(4.37 km)
Int. Light to Light Walk and Pulpit Rock Rd Access
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Int. Light to Light Trk and Pulpit Rock Rd Track: Moderate - servicetrail
Length = 255 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 6 m
Descent = -2 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the track markers up the hill to a signposted intersection. From the intersection, this walk follows the track marker along the hillside, keeping the ocean on the left of the track. The track passes a few overgrown service trails on either side, as it continues on to the signposted intersection with the main service trail.
(4.63 km)
Int. Light to Light Trk and Pulpit Rock Rd
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Pulpit Rock Optional sidetrip: Track: Hard - servicetrail,bushtrack
Length = 697 m
Time = 14 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -49 m
From the intersection, this walk follows none of the signs but instead heads down the hill towards the sea. The track winds down through the heath to the one-way car park and toilet. The walk continues through to the far side of the car park, where there is a fenced lookout over the rocks. From the intersection, the track heads down the stairs just near the lookout. The stairs lead the track onto the rock shelf, with stunning views to the north (left) and of waves crashing onto the rocks below.
Pulpit Rock
Alt = 5 m
Pulpit Rock is a large rock platform on the south-east coast of NSW, between Green Cape and Bittangabee in Ben Boyd National Park. The rock platform is a popular spot for rock fishing. Pulpit Rock is accessed via a staircase near the end of a service trail off Green Cape Rd. Near the car park is a pit toilet and garbage facilities. From the rock platform, there are great views north up the coast, with the red rock cliffs providing a spectacular highlight.
(4.63 km)
Int. Light to Light Trk and Pulpit Rock Rd
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Ly-ee-moon Graveyard Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 2.77 km
Time = 49 mins
Climb = 45 m
Descent = -71 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Green Cape Lighthouse 2.5km' keeping the ocean on the left of the track. The track meanders through the heath, then turns left and slowly head down through the heath. The track leads to an arrow-marked intersection with a badly overgrown service trail, on both sides of the track. From the intersection, this walk heads through the heath following the arrow marker, and keeping the ocean on the left of the track. The track leads through the heath and Banksias for a short time, coming to a slightly overgrown service trail. From the intersection, this walk keeps the ocean on the left of the track as it winds through the heath and the Banksias. The track soon becomes surrounded by melaleuca trees, which have many fallen branches. The track continues to a signposted intersection for 'Ly-ee-moon Cemetery'.
Ly-ee-moon Graveyard
Alt = 24 m
The Ly-ee-moon Graveyard is a stark reminder of the horrific accident on the night of May 31st, 1886, when 71 men, women and children lost their lives. The white stone and single cross marks the positions of the unnamed graves. The nearby plaque names the people who lost their lives - sadly some names where not known and these people are remembered only by comments such as 'one who had a German accent'.
During the dark night, the lighthouse keeper and assistant heroically rescued 16 people from the sea, and were left to listen to cries for help though the night of other people who could not be saved. The mother of Blessed Mary MacKillop, the first Australian to be beatified by the Catholic church, was one of those lost during the night.
The fast and normally reliable ship, operated by the Australian Steam Navigation Company, was a single screw ship converted from a paddle steamer when it was brought to Australia in 1876. The graveyard is about 300m north-west of the Green Cape lighthouse, which was operational at the time the SS Ly-ee-moon struck the reef and sunk. More info
(7.4 km)
Ly-ee-moon Graveyard
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Green Cape Lighthouse Car park Walk: Easy - servicetrail
Length = 246 m
Time = 4 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -3 m
From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow marker through the melaleuca trees, away from the 'Ly-ee-moon Cemetery' sign (behind on the left). The track winds through the trees for a short time, to open out onto the clearing of the Green Cape Lighthouse car park. The walk continues to the far end of the car park where there are signs.
Green Cape
Alt = 26 m
Green Cape is a headland at the southern end of Ben Boyd National Park, forming the northern head of Disaster Bay. The cape's traditional owners are the people of the Yuin nation, from whom there remains evidence of a number of camps in the area. The cape was named 'Green Point' by Matthew Flinders in 1798. The area began it's notorious fame in 1802 when eight of Flinders' crew disappeared when fetching water, in what he then appropriately named 'Disaster Bay'. The Imlay brothers and Boyd both established whaling business in the area in the early to mid 1800's, leaving several buildings in the park. There were many shipwrecks in the surrounding waters, the most famous being the SS Ly-ee-moon, whose victims are buried on the cape. The most visible feature on the cape is the 29-meter high lighthouse that is still operational today. NPWS run tours on the site in the middle of the day from Thursdays to Monday - the tour takes about 1 hour and costs $20 per family. There is a pit toilet at the car park at the end of Green Cape Road. Accommodation is also available in the renovated lighthouse keeper cottages. More info
(7.64 km)
Green Cape Lighthouse Car Park
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Green Cape Lighthouse Telegraph Station Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 98 m
Time = 2 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
From the car park, the track follows the 'Walkway to Lighthouse' signs along the grass and through the heath. The track comes to a fence which it follows to the corner (keeping the fence on the left). The track then continues, to be opposite a small white cottage signposted as 'Telegraph Station'.
Green Cape Telegraph Station
Alt = 24 m
Green Cape Telegraph Station was established in 1882. The station acted as a relay station, re-sending ship-to-shore messages from boats passing by. Ships, and communication staff on Green Cape, would use semaphore flags to communicate a message. When required, the messages could also be relayed using Morse code. The telegraph station is a white concrete building with a tin roof. The building has a blue painted base and is less than 100m north of Green Cape Lighthouse in Ben Boyd National Park. More info
Cape Lighthouse Keepers' cottages
Alt = 23 m
The Cape Lighthouse Keepers' cottages is a large concrete building near Green Cape Lighthouse in Ben Boyd National Park. There are two cottages that have been refurbished, each sleeping up to 6 guests and boasting 3.5 stars. Each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, bathroom, lounge room (with sofa bed), Master bedroom (Queen) and second bedroom (2 singles). The price starts from $200 a night per cottage. Bookings are essential, for more info call NPWS on 02 6495 5000 More info
(7.74 km)
Green Cape Lighthouse Telegraph Station
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Green Cape Lighthouse entry gate Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 174 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -3 m
From the Telegraph Station, the track continues down the hill towards the lighthouse. This walk keeps the houses and fence on the left of the track, as it passes large solar panels to the right of the track. The track continues to a gate with a 'No Entry' sign, outside the lighthouse.
Green Cape Lighthouse
Alt = 21 m
Green Cape Lighthouse is a majestic, 29 metre tall, white octagon-shaped, concrete and blue stone monolith, at the southern tip of Ben Boyd National Park. The lighthouse construction was tendered in 1880 and Albert Aspinall started construction in 1881. He built a timber tram line from Bittangabee Bay to transport materials. After having to dig footing much deeper then expected, in addition to dealing with workers' disputes, Aspinall went broke and his creditors completed the project. The original lantern was oil-fired and was visible 19NM out to sea. Today, the lighthouse still operates with a solar-powered electric light. The lighthouse is open to the public via daily tours, and the surrounding grounds are well worth the time to explore. More info
(7.92 km)
Green Cape Lighthouse entry gate
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Green Cape Lookout Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 138 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -11 m
From Green Cape Lighthouse, the track heads down the hill towards the white metal tower. The track passes the metal tower (on the left of the track) to then pass a helicopter landing pad on the right. The track continues down through the grass and heath to a rough track to the right. This is before the weather station. From the intersection, the track heads down the ridge, away from the lighthouse, passing a weather station to the right of the track. The track then continues down the hill, passing an information sign before coming to the partially-fenced lookout over Green Cape.
Green Cape Lookout
Alt = 10 m
The lookout at the point of Green Cape, at the southern end of Ben Boyd National Park, provides great views out to sea and along the coast. On the right, the view extends across Disaster Bay to Nadgee Nature Reserve and down into Victoria. To the left, there are views north along rugged sea cliffs and views of Green Cape Lighthouse and accommodation. An information sign at the lookout tells some of the story of the Ly-ee-moon tragedy. The lookout is slightly elevated on a steel platform, and is unfenced. There is a leaning post to rest against whilst taking in the view.
(8.05 km)
Green Cape Lookout
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Green Cape Lighthouse Car Park Walk: Easy - bushtrack
Length = 410 m
Time = 8 mins
Climb = 16 m
Descent = 0 m
From the lookout, this walk heads up the ridge towards the lighthouse. The track heads up the hill, passing an information sign, and then a weather station on the left. This walk soon comes to a rough track on the left, which leads down to the rock platforms below. From the intersection, the track heads up the hill towards the lighthouse. The track heads past a helicopter landing pad (on the left of the track) and past a metal tower on the right. The track continues to follow the wire fence on the right, until the 'No Entry' sign on the gate of the lighthouse. From the gate, the track heads up the hill towards the large solar panels. This walk keeps the houses and fence on the right of the track as it leads near the corner in the fence, where a signpost opposite states that a small white cottage structure is the 'Telegraph Station'. From the intersection, the track heads in the opposite direction to the lighthouse, following the fence around the corner and then down the track through the heath. The track continues down the grassy hill to the car park.
Fire Danger This walk passes Far South Coast fire area which currently has a LOW-MODERATE rating and No Ban in place. (Checked 47 minutes ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.
Ben Boyd National park is on the NSW South Coast, near Eden. The park was named and established in 1971, in the honour of Benjamin Boyd (1801-1851). Ben Boyd National park protects a wonderful section of coast line from Pambula to Green Cape, split into two distinct sections, one north of Eden and the other south. The park is well known for its contrasting red rocks, whale sighting, Boyd Tower, Green Cape Lighthouse and associated history. Ben Boyd National park offers some great insights into recent European history, Indigenous occupation and natural history. The park provides two campsites some other great recreational experiences.
Hiking near Sydney 
1 km
not too much longer now :)