Eden

Part of Eden's harbour

Eden is a town on the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, approximately 230 nautical miles south of Sydney, and situated on Twofold Bay, close to the state border with Victoria. It's the southernmost major town in NSW.

Understand

Eden started life as a whaling community and remains a vital fishing town with a population of over 3000.

Get in

By boat

The fishing town of Eden is at the northern head of the large (3,100 ha) Twofold Bay. Entrance depth into bay is 36 metres. Width of bay is 5 km wide. Bottom sand. MHWS 1.6m. MLWS 0.3m. VHF Channels 16, port working channel 8.

Get around

Eden has a straight forward grid layout with a bustling main street running through the centre. Walking from one end (the main wharf) to the other (the Country Golf Club) will take you about half an hour. There is a taxi service to get you around and bus services to take you out of town. For water explorers there are a number of cruise boats ready to take you around the bay.

See

• 1 Eden Killer Whale Museum, 184 Imlay Street, ☏ +61 2 6496 2094, promo@killerwhalemuseum.com.au. M-Sa 9.15AM-3.45PM, Su 11.15AM-3.45PM, longer hours late Dec to late Jan, closed Christmas Day. The lovably janky museum showcases Eden's history and heritage. It has exhibits on whaling, fishing and timber working. Pride of place goes to the skeleton of orca (killer whale) "Old Tom", leader of the pod of orcas that cooperated with humans in hunting and killing whales. Old Tom's skeleton is apparently the only complete killer whale skeleton on display in the Southern Hemisphere. Adults $15, children $5. (updated Oct 2016)

Do

• Whale watching at appropriate times of the year particularly during May-November.

Mount Imlay National Park

1 Mount Imlay National Park is around 40 km (25 mi) south/southwest of Eden, but it is only accessible via unpaved roads. Its only attraction of note, Balawan, holds deep significance to the Indigenous Bidwell people.

Balawan can be hiked via the Balawan Summit Walking Track, which is 6 km (3.7 mi) return, but very challenging (rated Grade 5) – the birdlife from up the top of the hike makes it worth it.

Eat

• 1 Eden Fish & Chips, 160 Imlay St, ☏ +61 2 6496 4356. (updated Sep 2021)

Drink

• 1 Hotel Australasia, 142-144 Imlay St. Dating back to 1904 and beautifully restored in 2022, this grand old pub is undoubtedly the finest drinking hole in Eden. Lovely outdoor terrace with wood-fired pizzas and grills. Also offers classy accomodations. (updated Jan 2024)

Sleep

• 1 Bayview Motor Inn, Princes Hwy &, Bellevue Pl, ☏ +61 2 6496 1242. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. (updated Jul 2021)

Go next

• Beowa National Park
• SE Forest National Park

Routes through Eden

Batemans Bay ← Bega ←

N  SW

→ Orbost → Sale