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 half this walk is through open heath or grass lands, allowing plenty of great views out to sea and down the coast. Parts of the walk pass through the taller melaleuca forests providing some shade and interest in the diverse flora of the coast environment.
(open in app)
Cross sectional view of the Saltwater Creek to Bittangabee Bay bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Saltwater Creek to Bittangabee Bay bushwalking track
Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length
9km
Time
3 hrs 30 mins
.
Grade 4/6
Track: Hard
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)
*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing
Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk. Gradient
7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.7km is very steep. The remaining (770m) has gentle hills with occasional steps.
Quality of track
Around 6km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely, whilst the remaining 3km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.
Signs
6km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 2.9km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (380m) is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 9km requires no previous bushwalking experience.
Weather
Around 9km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 470m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) and another 1.9km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (1.1km) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
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Drive to Saltwater Creek Campsite Information Sign
Salwater Creek campground is a nice place from which to access the coastal walking track -there is plenty of swimming, fishing and snorkeling to be done as well. There are some rainwater tanks on site, but be prepared for them to be empty.
(0 km)
Saltwater Creek Campsite Information Sign
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Saltwater Creek Beach Nth Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 184 m
Time = 3 mins
Climb = 0 m
Descent = -2 m
From the information signs at Saltwater Creek camping area, the walk heads through the 'Day use' parking area to the far left corner. The track then follows the track-marker through the fenced area and onto the beach between the creek and ocean. The track continues towards the bush on the other side, where there is a signposted intersection.
Saltwater Creek Beach
Alt = 0 m
Saltwater Creek meets the South Pacific Ocean at a beautiful white sand beach in Ben Boyd National park. The beach looks north-east and has a rock shelf at either end. The wide Saltwater Creek forms a lagoon at the northern end, popular for swimming. Woodburn Creek also forms a lagoon on the southern end of the beach. Both creeks have a brown colouration from the tea tree, that forms a beautiful contrast with the white sand and blue ocean. The back of the beach is heavily wooded, providing some shade, and is home to the Saltwater Creek campsite. The beach can be accessed from the Saltwater Creek campsite at the end of the access road from Duck Hole Road.
(0.18 km)
Saltwater Creek Beach Nth
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Hegartys Bay Camp Track: Hard - beach,bushtrack,bushtrack
Length = 4.7 km
Time = 1 hr 26 mins
Climb = 109 m
Descent = -102 m
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Bittangabee Bay' heading to the far end of the beach, keeping the ocean on the left. This walk tends right, towards the dunes, to meet a signposted intersection just in the bush, on the hill above the creek. Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to 'Green Cape Lighthouse' across the hill, keeping the creek below on the right. The track soon turns left up the hill, away from the beach and creek, and then heads up the hill to an open grassland. The track meanders for a considerable time through different vegetation types - grasslands then heath, then melaleuca, and eucalypts/scrub, before reversing the order up the hill to continue around the flat of the grassy headland. The track continues in this way, passing views of Green Cape Lighthouse to the south and the cliffs, to wind down the hill onto Hegartys Bay beach. Continue straight: From the beach, this walk heads along the rock platform following the arrow markers. The walk winds around the rock features, then turns away from the ocean and lead up stairs into the bush behind the bay. The track winds above the bay (below on the left) for a short time, to then pass a fireplace and seats, before coming to a signposted clearing 'Hegartys Bay Camping Area' with bench seats and a fireplace.
Hegartys Bay
Alt = 4 m
Hegartys Bay is a north-east facing bay, about 2km north of Bittangabee in Ben Boyd National Park. The bay has many small boulders at the apex that then fade to rock shelves at each end. The bay is walled by red cliffs at the entrance and the northern wall has some spectacular examples of rock folding. The bay can be accessed along the Light to Light track and is home to a bush campsite.
Hegartys Bay camping area
Alt = 9 m
Hegartys Bay camping area is a basic bush campsite on the Light to Light walk, about 2km north of Bittangabee. The campsite is signposted and is just north of a small creek that leads to Hegartys Bay. There is another, smaller campsite that is not signposted, about 50m north. The creek is very unreliable and other than some impromptu chairs made from driftwood, there are no facilities provided. The campsite is nestled in a clearing among the tall, dense bush, providing some shade and shelter from winds.
(4.89 km)
Hegartys Bay Camp
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Black cliffs north Track: Hard - bushtrack
Length = 1.65 km
Time = 30 mins
Climb = 33 m
Descent = -28 m
Continue straight: From the camp area, this walk keeps the camp on the right and ocean far on the left. The track heads down hill and over a creek, then winds up and out of the creek to meander across the headland. The track continues to wind through heath and melaleucas on the headland for some time, to go down the stairs onto the rock platform.
(6.54 km)
Black cliffs north
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Black cliffs south Track: Hard - rockshelf
Length = 284 m
Time = 5 mins
Climb = 5 m
Descent = -12 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the cairns and track markers along the rock, with the ocean to the left. The walk follows the rockshelf down to an area where it starts to slope down into the sea - this is marked by numerous cairns and an arrow on a boulder.
Black cliffs
Alt = 7 m
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.
(6.82 km)
Black cliffs south
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Bittangabee Creek Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 1.43 km
Time = 29 mins
Climb = 50 m
Descent = -51 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the ocean, behind, and bay, on the left of the rock shelf, leading up into the bush where a cairn is placed. The track winds along the hillside, following the track markers bolted to the trees. The track tends right, up the hill, then veers left down into a gully, with a rocky creek bed at the bottom. The track continues down to cross the creek.
Bittangabee Creek
Alt = 6 m
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.
(8.25 km)
Bittangabee Creek
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Imlay House Ruins Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 582 m
Time = 12 mins
Climb = 23 m
Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: From above the creek, the walk winds above the gully (below on your left). The track veers right, and soon meets a signposted intersection. Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the sign 'Via Ruins' up the hill. The track tends right as it climbs, soon winding up to a large black wooden platform. This platform overlooks the ruins.
Imlay House
Alt = 19 m
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
(8.84 km)
Imlay House Ruins
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Bittangabee Bay Picnic area Track: Moderate - bushtrack
Length = 297 m
Time = 6 mins
Climb = 3 m
Descent = -15 m
Continue straight: From the black platform, this walk keeps the platform and ruins on the left of the track, heading down the hill. The track winds quickly down to a signposted intersection with views of a beach below. Veer right: From the intersection, the walk heads down the hill towards the water. The track goes across a rocky creek bed to rise up the other side of the gully. The walk continues up the hill to soon find formed log road barriers on the right and then a signposted intersection and picnic area.
Bittangabee Bay Beach
Alt = 3 m
Bittangabee Bay Beach, Ben Boyd National Park, is a small beach at the south-western corner of the bay. The beach can be accessed by a short walk from Bittangabee picnic area in Ben Boyd National Park. The yellow sand beach has a small creek and lagoon behind. The beach also has rock platforms at each end and is fairly well-protected from swells, being tucked away in the bay. The historic storehouse is visible on the shore to the right.
Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area
Alt = 7 m
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.
Fire Danger This walk passes Far South Coast fire area which currently has a LOW MODERATE rating and No fire ban in place. (Tomorrow the Fire Danger Rating is LOW MODERATE, No fire ban.) (Downloaded 7 years ago) Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.
Ben Boyd National ParkLink to official closures and fire bans page 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. Region: South Coast & Highlands Park feesCampingFacilities I am not aware of any closures in this park at the moment.
Hiking near Sydney 
Track: Hard
1 km
A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
not too much longer now :)