Boyd Tower to Leather Jacket Bay

Download & Print Map and Notes

3 hrs 30 mins

9.3 km Return

274 m

Hard track

Leather Jacket Bay is a rocky and wonderful bay. The walk through Ben Boyd National Park starts at Boyd Tower car park and passes through Red Sands bay with its stunning contrast of colour. The walk not only passes some beautiful coast line to Leather Jacket Bay but some superb examples of geological processes with rock folding and banding. There is a small clearing at Leather Jacket bay with some shade, making it a nice place for lunch before heading back.

Information sign near Boyd Tower car park

One of many track markers bolted to a tree

Service trail between red sands bay and Leather Jacket Bay

Arrow marker down bushtrack north of Leather Jacket Bay

(0km) Ben Boyd Car park information sign → Boyd Tower Lookout Point

1.3 km

27 mins

40m

-59m Moderate track

From the information sign, the walk heads down the hill, following the low posts away from the information sign, to a signposted intersection on the left. From the intersection, the track follows the sign for 'Coastal Walk' down the hill away from the car park. The track soon passes an information sign on the right before tending right, down the hill to be above the coastline. The walk then continues with the coast on your left, down stairs into a gully and back out. The track winds and undulates for some time, leading away from the coast. The track then continues back towards the coast, to a view of the tower on your left and a rock island below in the sea.

(1km) Boyd Tower Lookout Point → Red sands bay

1.1 km

21 mins

31m

-40m Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the track, keeping the the coast to the left. The track soon leads out of the heath and winds along the hillside, tending away from the coast (which disappears below the trees on the left). The walk then winds down into a gully with access to the rocks (below on your left). Rising up and out of the gully, the track winds across the hillside and then down into a rocky bay with an arrow marker. The walk continues across the red flat rock at the back of the bay, coming to the arrow marker[1] pointing inland, in the middle of the bay.

Red sands bay

Red sands bay (not officially named) is a north-facing bay between Boyd Tower and Leather Jacket Bay in Ben Boyd National Park. The rocky bay is accessed via the Light to Light walk. The beach in this bay is made up of small boulders and a fine red gravel. Most of the red gravel is on the western side of the bay. The gravel is made from the sea smashing the red siltstone into small pieces. The red sands/gravel of this bay makes for a fantastic contrast on sunny days.

(2km) Red sands bay → Int. Light to Light and Leather Jacket Pt Trks

410 m

8 mins

21m

-3m Hard track

Turn right: From the red rock bay, this walk follows the track marker away from the ocean and up the stairs. The track climbs over the hill to head down into a creek bed, where it heads up the hill keeping the ocean on the left of the track. The stairs lead this walk around the hill to the right and then to a signposted intersection with a service trail.

(3km) Int. Light to Light and Leather Jacket Pt Trks → Int. Light to Light and Leather Jacket View Trks

740 m

13 mins

16m

-19m Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow of the tower sign through the small clearing and along the clearer service trail. The track winds quickly through the heath for some time to meet a signposted intersection.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows track marker down the hill, towards the ocean. The track leads downhill to a signposted intersection.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track marker past a white post, keeping the ocean and the other service trail to the left of the track. The walk continues along the service trail for a short time to a signposted intersection.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the track marker, leaving the fork in the trails behind and heading down the slight hill towards the ocean. The track continues down the hill to a signposted intersection.

(4km) Int. Light to Light and Leather Jacket View Trks → Leatherjacket Bay

1.1 km

19 mins

13m

-32m Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the track marker into the tall heath, towards the views of the ocean. The track then winds through the heath, passing through some large areas of tall heath and melaleuca trees. The walk follows white posts through the heath to then enter an area of tall eucalypt bush. The track soon passes an old farm fence post on the left of the track while winding down the hill into Leather Jacket Bay. The track follows the creek across the back of the rocky bay to a well signposted clearing - the campsite.

Leather Jacket Bay

Leather Jacket Bay is a north-east facing beach between Boyd Tower and Mowarry Point in the Ben Boyd National Park. The bay has a sandy beach with small rock boulders between the sand and the ocean. The wooded forest behind the bay provides some shade, making this a great place to rest on the Light-to-Light walk. The bay can be access by the Light-to-Light track or by Newtons Road service trail from Edrom Rd.

Maps for the Boyd Tower to Leather Jacket Bay 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
Eden	1:25 000 Map Series	88231N EDEN	NSW-88231N
Eden	1:100 000 Map Series	8823 EDEN	8823

Cross sectional view of the Boyd Tower to Leather Jacket Bay bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Boyd Tower to Leather Jacket Bay

Altitude analysis for Boyd Tower to Leather Jacket Bay

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	9.3 km
		Time	3 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		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

2.4km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.5km is very steep. The remaining (740m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 2.5km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 2.2km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

2.9km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 1.3km is clearly signposted. The remaining (410m) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 4.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3.6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.1km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 2.6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged), whilst the remaining 2.1km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Boyd Tower to Leather Jacket Bay walk.

Boyd Tower to Red sands Bay

4.9 km Return, 2 hrs

Starting near Boyd Tower, this walk follows the Light to Light walk to a bay with a fine red gravel beach. The walk passes scenic views of Boyd Tower, through the scrub, as it continues past awesome examples of geological rock folding in the cliffs of the bays. Red Sands bay itself is something qui

Total climbing: 170m

Hard track

Boyd Tower to Saltwater Creek

13.4 km One way, 5 hrs

This is the first of the three main sections that form the Light to Light walk. You can start the walk with an optional sidetrip to the historic and interesting Boyd Tower. From here, the walk starts its southward journey to Saltwater Creek. The walk explores a number of picturesque bays with bri

Total climbing: 382m

Hard track

Boyd Tower to Mowarry Point Lookout

18.3 km Return, 7 hrs

This longer day walk starts near Boyd Tower and heads to Mowarry Point, meandering down the coast of Ben Boyd National Park. On the way there are plenty of picturesque coastline views, with the stark red rock forming a great contrast. Views of Boyd Tower and of the coastal rocks are common along th

Total climbing: 601m

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 Boyd Tower to Leather Jacket Bay walk.

Boyd Tower

582 m Return, 15 mins

This walk in Ben Boyd National Park is a magnificent way to explore the heritage of Boyd Tower. There are plenty of information signs that enrich the story of the stunning structure and history of the area. Boyd Tower is the centre piece of this walk and is well worth a visit. The bottom of the tow

Total climbing: 15m

Very easy

Twofold Bay Lookout via Boyd Tower

764 m Return, 20 mins

This walk is a fantastic way to see some of Ben Boyd National Park's heritage and spectacular coastline. The walk passes the iconic sandstone Boyd Tower and continues on to the wide views from the lookout over Twofold Bay. The side trip to Red Point lookout is well worth it to see the dramatic rock

Total climbing: 25m

Very easy

Mowarry Bay to Red Cliffs

8.8 km Return, 3 hrs 30 mins

The walk from Mowarry Point to Red Cliffs is an interesting trip through quite a few distinct vegetation types, with a few money shots of the coast line. The grass, heaths, and melaleuca along the way break up the walk to Red Cliffs, which are absolutely stunning. Spend time at the Red Cliffs to see

Total climbing: 232m

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 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

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

Pinnacles car park to Long Beach

702 m Return, 20 mins

This short walk takes you straight down to Long Beach, which is a popular fishing spot. The beach itself is a large expanse of sand with strong surf conditions. The walk provides direct access to this great beach and heads through a pass, down through a steep gully with red and white rock walls.

Total climbing: 49m

Hard track

The Pinnacles Loop

1.1 km Circuit, 30 mins

The Pinnacles are an amazing brightly coloured rock feature, and the centre piece of this walk. The reds and white of the rock contrasts with the green heath and blue sea creating a fantastic sight. The smaller lookout, one without a sign, is a better lookout than the larger area. However, both look

Total climbing: 43m

Moderate track

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

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Boyd Tower to Leather Jacket Bay walk starts and ends at the Ben Boyd Car park information sign (gps: -37.104513, 149.95119)

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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