Green Cape Lighthouse stands at the tip of a long cape in the southern section of Beowa National Park, south of Eden. Completed in the early 1880s, it is one of the earliest lighthouses in Australia built from concrete. The headland around it is one of the best whale-watching spots on the coast.
What to do
- Lighthouse tours — NSW National Parks runs tours of the tower at set times; check availability.
- Whale watching — scan the sea from the cape in spring.
- Walk — the end (or start) of the Light to Light Walk.
- Stay — the restored lightkeepers’ cottages can be booked through National Parks.
History
The cape is notorious for shipwrecks. The most famous, the SS Ly-ee-Moon in 1886, cost many lives and a memorial cemetery lies near the lighthouse.
Getting there
Green Cape is reached by an unsealed road through the national park from the Princes Highway south of Eden. Allow around an hour from Eden. There are no shops — bring food and water.
Planning your visit
Combine the lighthouse with Bittangabee Bay, a short drive back along the cape road, for a picnic and a swim. In spring, the cape is one of the best places in the region to see whales passing close to shore. Weather on the cape can be very windy even on fine days, so bring a warm layer. Mobile coverage is patchy in parts of the park; download maps before you leave Eden.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go inside Green Cape Lighthouse?
Yes, on tours run by NSW National Parks at scheduled times.
Can you stay at Green Cape?
Yes, the lightkeepers’ cottages are bookable through NSW National Parks.
Is the road to Green Cape sealed?
Mostly unsealed; it is usually fine for 2WD in dry conditions.
How far is Green Cape from Eden?
Allow around an hour each way by car, much of it on unsealed park roads.
