Eden: Whales, Coastal Walks and Heritage

Eden brings together whaling history, coastal towns and walks with different historical focuses. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing seasonal whale watching from cultural topics and the different routes. This can help you decide which travel period and interests matter most for your stay in Eden.

Whale Watching and Discovering Eden’s History

The skeleton of Old Tom is on display at the Eden Killer Whale Museum. A large terrace overlooks Twofold Bay, where visitors can watch whales. The museum therefore brings together a specific exhibit and views over the bay. Land-based whaling in Eden continued until 1930, giving the local whaling history a clear historical timeframe.

Whale watching is also seasonal: the season in Eden runs from August to early November, but sightings vary from year to year. Whale-watching charter trips depart from Snug Cove and travel around Twofold Bay and beyond. Operators and timetables may change, so check the current schedule in advance if you are planning a trip. The museum visit, terrace and boat trip offer different ways to explore whales and the bay, without guaranteeing a sighting at any particular time.

Heritage Between Walks and Museums

The Bundian Way is an Aboriginal pathway thousands of years old and of state significance. It connects the highlands near Kosciuszko with the coast near Eden. The Eden Heritage Walk has a different focus: this self-guided tour takes you through the town’s historic sites, including historic buildings and places associated with Eden’s convict past.

Individual cultural sites also have their own stories to tell. The St Mary MacKillop Museum in Eden is housed in a historic building commissioned by Mary MacKillop in 1891. Sealers Platform tells the story of the sealers, while Brierly Platform tells the story of Ben Boyd’s empire. These historical themes range from the use of the coast to the town’s buildings and places.

Different Walks and Their Focus

The Bundian Way Story Trail is about 2 km long and runs between Cocora Beach and Quarantine Bay. Its length and two named endpoints provide a clear guide for planning your route; track conditions may change. The Lake Curalo Boardwalk is different: it is an easy, level path around the entire Lake Curalo and connects to the Aslings Beach Maritime Walk.

Large sections of the Lake Curalo Boardwalk are accessible to strollers, wheelchairs and bicycles. Accessibility details may change operationally, so it is worth checking before your visit. The lake’s condition can also affect a crossing and should be taken into account when planning your route. The circuit around the lake and the approximately 2 km walk between two named points therefore offer different types of routes, rather than simply two variations of the same route.

Beach and Travel Time

Aslings Beach is in the centre of Eden on the northern shore of Twofold Bay. You can surf there as well as swim safely. Conditions and patrols vary by season, so take this into account when planning your beach visit. This coastal visit differs from the Lake Curalo routes and whale watching in the bay.

Historic sites, museum exhibits and the walks described here add other themes to your stay. You can choose what interests you most about Eden: whales and their history, cultural heritage, or a walk with a specific route and length.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Mirador, Brogo, Barragga Bay, Bermagui, Cobargo, Kiah, Bega, Pambula.

For the broader travel overview: Bega Valley Shire Council.