Bittangabee Bay picnic area to black cliffs

Download & Print Map and Notes

2 hrs

5.2 km Return

169 m

Hard track

This walk is a great way to explore the less visited areas of the popular Bittangabee Bay. The walk winds around the northern side of the bay to explore the cliff top views. The black cliffs are unfenced, and give great views over the entrance of Bittangabee Bay and out to sea. On the way there is an opportunity to explore the history associated with the ruins of Imlay house.

Sign before split for Imlays House ruins

Rock formed steps along the Light to Light wlk

Light to Light track near Bittangabee Bay

View across the entrance to Bittangabee Bay

Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area

Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area is near Bittangabee Bay and camp area in Ben Boyd National Park. The picnic area is a day-use only area with a few picnic tables, an electric BBQ and a pit toilet. There is a reasonable amount of natural shade, and is close to a car park. There is short walk to the beach and ruins at Bittangabee Bay. The picnic area is well signposted on the loop road near the Bittangabee camping area.

(0km) Bittangabee Bay Picnic area → Int. Coast and Ruins Trks Sth

150 m

3 mins

-1m Moderate track

From the picnic area, the walk follows the sign to 'Saltwater Creek 9.0km' down the hill, keeping the road above on the left. The track heads down the hillside and crosses a rocky creek bed, then leads up the hill to an information sign marking the intersection.

(0km) Int. Coast and Ruins Trks Sth → Int. Coast and Ruins Trks Nth

420 m

8 mins

10m

-11m Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk passes the 'Welcome to Bittangabee' sign (to the left of the track) as it heads down the hill keeping the water below on the right. The track keeps the water below on the right to tend left, around the hillside. The track passes numerous bay access tracks on the right to soon come to a signposted intersection. Now Veer right to rejoin the main walk .

(0km) Int. Coast and Ruins Trks Sth → Imlay House Ruins

140 m

3 mins

10m

-2m Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, the track heads up the hill keeping the 'Welcome to Bittangabee' sign below on the right. The track tends right up the hill, to a black platform overlooking the Imlay House ruins.

Imlay House

Imlay House ruins still show the foundations of a house built by the Imlay brothers in 1844. The ruins are found in Bittangabee Bay in Ben Boyd National Park, along the Light to Light track. The house was to be a station for the Imlay family to further their grazing and whaling in the area. It appears the stone house was never completed, with the brothers dying in 1846 (George) and 1847 (Alexander). Soon after the Imlay brothers died, Benjamin Boyd began using the bay for his own whaling company in 1848. More info.

(0km) Imlay House Ruins → Bittangabee Creek

580 m

12 mins

10m

-23m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the platform, the walk keeps the platform and ruins on the right as it heads down the hill to a signposted intersection.
Veer left: From the intersection, the walk follows neither arrows on the sign but heads away from the face of the sign, keeping the bay below on the right. The bay becomes narrower as the track tends left into a gully. Soon, the track comes to be above a creek.

Bittangabee Creek

Bittangabee Creek is a small creek feeding Bittangabee Bay in Ben Boyd National Park. The creek enters the bay and is crossed by the Light to Light track about 800m north-west of Bittangabee Campsite. The creek provides a quiet place for people to paddle and relax.

(1km) Bittangabee Creek → Black cliffs north

1.7 km

34 mins

63m

-55m Hard track

Continue straight: From the creek, this walk crosses immediately over the rocky creek bed to the other side, and then winds right along the hillside of the creek's gully. The track leads up out of this gully, tending left, to following track markers bolted to the trees. The track undulates out of the bush and into the heath before dropping down onto a rock shelf above the sea.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the rock shelf, keeping Green Cape Lighthouse and the bay behind, and the ocean to the right, of the track. The track leads up the rock platform, with its stunning views over the ocean and coast to the right. Before the end of the rock platform, the walk comes to an intersection with a track on the left, marked by some boulders.

Black cliffs

The black cliffs of Ben Boyd National Park provide a great vantage point. The headland on the north side of Bittangabee has a fairly large clearing on a rock platform, high above the ocean. There are great views out to sea and into the mouth of Bittangabee Bay. There are no fences or facilities at this informal lookout. Being dark in colour, this rock platform can get very uncomfortable on hot days - trees on the south side provide some respite with shade. The rock slopes into the sea on the south side, but would be too dangerous for swimming.

Maps for the Bittangabee Bay picnic area to black cliffs walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Kiah	1:25 000 Map Series	88231S KIAH	NSW-88231S
Green Cape	1:100 000 Map Series	8923 GREEN CAPE	8923

Cross sectional view of the Bittangabee Bay picnic area to black cliffs bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Bittangabee Bay picnic area to black cliffs

Altitude analysis for Bittangabee Bay picnic area to black cliffs

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	5.2 km
		Time	2 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 2.3km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 280m has gentle hills with occasional steps.

Quality of track

Around 2.3km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 280m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

1.9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 380m is clearly signposted. The remaining (280m) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 2.6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 2.3km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 280m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

1.9km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 380m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). The remaining (280m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Bittangabee Bay picnic area to black cliffs walk.

Bittangabee Bay Imlay House loop

1.1 km Circuit, 30 mins

This walk takes a look at the historical ruins of the Imlay brothers house. The ruins reveal the outline of what would have been a great house, in a quiet and scenic bay. The walk returns by the coast with views through the trees of the turquoise waters. This is an interesting trip to help understa

Total climbing: 29m

Moderate track

Bittangabee Bay to Bittangabee Creek

1.8 km Return, 45 mins

This walk winds into the beautiful Bittangabee Bay, after passing the historic Imlay House ruins. Starting from Bittangabee picnic area, the walk heads to the creek feeding Bittangabee Bay on its north west corner. The tracknotes mention an alternate route, running closer to the coast, potentially

Total climbing: 51m

Moderate track

Saltwater Creek to Bittangabee Bay

9.1 km One way, 3 hrs 30 mins

This walk follows the second main section of the Light to Light walk. The walk joins the two main camping areas of Ben Boyd National Park, by walking along the coast from Saltwater Creek to Bittangabee Bay. The walk explores a few bays, beaches and stunning rock formations on its journey. About hal

Total climbing: 223m

Hard track

Bittangabee Bay to Hegartys Bay

9.1 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This is a pleasant walk which wanders around the coast from Bittangabee Bay to the rocky Hegartys Bay. The walk is an excellent outing from Bittangabee Bay camping and picnic areas, and it passes a few good places for a swim. The walk is well marked and explores the coast north of Bittangabee Bay.

Total climbing: 248m

Hard track

Light to Light Walk 2 days

30.9 km One way, 2 Days

Over two days, this classic walk explores the coast from Boyd Tower to the Green Cape Lighthouse in the south. Hegartys Bay Camp is over halfway and is the quietest campsite in the park (alternative camp at Saltwater creek). The walk explores many of the scenic and historic highlights of Ben Boyd Na

Total climbing: 794m

Hard track

Light to Light Walk 3 days

30.9 km One way, 3 Days

This classic walk explores the coast from Boyd Tower to the Green Cape Lighthouse in the south, with overnight stops at the well established Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee Bay campsites (bookings required). The walk explores many of the scenic and historic highlights of Ben Boyd National Park. It

Total climbing: 794m

Hard track

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Bittangabee Bay picnic area to black cliffs walk.

Bittangabee Bay picnic area to the storehouse

715 m Circuit, 20 mins

The walk to the old storehouse is an opportunity to explore some history of the region and see some fantastic rock platforms. The storehouse and wharf are perched just above the water, on the red rock of the bay. The view across the bay, with the contrast of the red rock, can be magical on sunny da

Total climbing: 32m

Hard track

Bittangabee Bay to Pulpit Rock

5.3 km One way, 2 hrs

This walk from Bittangabee Bay is a magnificent way to view the coastline of Ben Boyd National Park. The low heath for much of this walk allows great views out across the ocean and across the flora of the park. The walk finishes with a longish section of service trail leading down to Pulpit Rock, wh

Total climbing: 140m

Hard track

Bittangabee Bay to Green Cape Lighthouse

8.5 km One way, 3 hrs

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 co

Total climbing: 191m

Hard track

Bittangabee Bay to Southern point lookout

954 m Return, 30 mins

The walk from Bittangabee Bay to the southern point of the bay, is a walk to a nice lookout. The walk is well marked, however the informal lookout is not signposted. The lookout is a large gap in the bush along a section of the Light to Light track. The lookout gives a great view across to the black

Total climbing: 36m

Moderate track

Bittangabee Bay carpark to beach

180 m Return, 5 mins

This is a short walk onto the lovely, sandy Bittangabee Beach. The walk heads down from the car park, through the picnic area and onto the beach. There is generally no surf at the beach as it tucked into the bay. The walk is very well signposted and along a well defined track.

Total climbing: 6m

Moderate track

Disaster Bay Lookout

52 m Return, 10 mins

This is a very short walk to a spectacular lookout. If you are in the area heading to Green Cape, then you really must stop off and soak up the view. Disaster Bay is named in memory of all the ships that have run aground in the region. On a sunny day, the views of the ocean, long beach and Nadgee Na

Total climbing: 11m

Easy track

Pulpit Rock

110 m Return, 10 mins

This is a fantastic short walk, with views of the waves crashing into the spectacular red rock of the coast. The short walk down to Pulpit Rock goes straight down stairs onto the rock platform. The rock platform is popular with fishermen with fixed rod holders near the seas edge.

Total climbing: 15m

Hard track

Saltwater Beach to Red Cliffs

3.3 km Return, 1 hr 30 mins

This walk starts from Saltwater Creek camping area and heads north around the bay to the red cliffs. The walk gives an opportunity to explore the end of Saltwater Creek, the beach and the varied bushland on it's journey to the bald rock platform. From the rock platform, there are awesome views and

Total climbing: 67m

Moderate track

Saltwater Creek campsite to Mowarry Point

8.5 km Return, 3 hrs

This walk is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon out from Saltwater Creek camping area. The walk passes the red cliffs that create a dramatic contrast against the intense blue of the sea and green of the heath. The walk also passes through a bay with a large red rock platform which is a grea

Total climbing: 193m

Hard track

Saltwater Creek to Hegartys Bay

9.8 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

This return walk, from Saltwater Creek camping area, heads south along the coast and around the headlands to Hegartys Bay. The walk passes over a large expanse of low heath along the headland between the bays, providing great panoramic views of the coast. There is a small campsite at Hegartys Bay w

Total climbing: 213m

Hard track

Saltwater Creek to Mowarry Point

8.5 km Return, 3 hrs

This walk starts from the Saltwater Creek camping area, passing through some varied vegetation groups on its way to Mowarry Point Lookout. The walk passes the great view from the red cliffs before heading into a red platform bay, with an opportunity to see the rock formations up close. This great wa

Total climbing: 193m

Hard track

Green Cape Lighthouse and Lookout

826 m Return, 30 mins

This short stroll provides the most stunning views in the park, especially on a sunny day. You will wander past the old telegraph station, light house cottages to find the towering white & blue historic Green Cape Lighthouse. The green grass, blue sky and tower is a photographers dream. Continue alo

Total climbing: 16m

Easy track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Bittangabee Bay picnic area to black cliffs walk starts and ends at the Bittangabee Bay Picnic area (gps: -37.216820, 150.01486)

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the South Coast weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Ben Boyd National Park

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.

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