Beowa

Beowa National Park, formerly known as Ben Boyd National Park's southern section rebranded following reconciliation with the Thaua Aboriginal community, encompasses a stunning stretch of far south coast New South Wales coastline near Eden. The park protects rugged sea cliffs, isolated beaches, coastal heath, and eucalypt forest, including the historic Green Cape Lighthouse and surrounding headlands. The renaming to Beowa, the Thaua word for killer whale, honours the deep cultural connection between the Thaua people and the killer whales of Twofold Bay, which featured in one of Australia's most celebrated cross-species relationships with human whalers.

Green Cape lighthouse headland within Beowa National Park is one of the most reliable locations in NSW to observe little penguins at close range, as they nest in rocky crevices around the lighthouse precinct. The offshore waters support abundant seabirds including Australasian gannets, shy albatrosses, and various petrel species. Humpback and southern right whales pass close to the headland during migration. The coastal heath and scrub support wallabies, echidnas, and a diverse suite of heath-specialist birds including southern emuwrens and New Holland honeyeaters. Common ringtail possums and brush-tailed possums inhabit the forest patches. Spotted-tailed quolls have been recorded in the more intact forest areas.

Beowa National Park's coastal vegetation is characterised by wind-pruned coastal heath on exposed headlands, dominated by banksias, hakeas, and various epacris species, transitioning to dry sclerophyll forest on sheltered slopes and valleys. Spotted gum and red bloodwood form the dominant canopy of the coastal forests, with an understorey of grass trees and heath shrubs. Moist gullies contain pockets of sheltered forest with ferns and mosses. The Pinnacles area nearby contains distinctive clay formations supporting limited but specialised vegetation. Swamp vegetation occurs in several depressions, providing habitat for wetland-dependent species.

The coastal geology of Beowa National Park features ancient Silurian and Devonian metamorphic and granitic basement rocks exposed in sea cliff faces around Green Cape and along the southern coastline. These rocks have been deeply eroded by wave action over millennia, producing dramatic cliff profiles and isolated rock stacks. The lighthouse headland at Green Cape is composed of resistant granite that has formed a prominent promontory while surrounding softer rocks have been eroded away. Sandy beaches have accumulated in the shelter of rocky headlands, underlain by Quaternary dune and beach deposits. Fossil-bearing sedimentary rocks in some locations record ancient marine environments.

Beowa's coastal climate is oceanic and moderated by the Tasman Sea, producing relatively mild year-round temperatures. Annual rainfall is approximately 900 to 1,100 millimetres, distributed through the year with winter fronts providing reliable precipitation. Strong southerly winds are frequent, particularly in winter, shaping the characteristic wind-pruned vegetation of the headlands. Summer temperatures are pleasant, typically 18 to 25°C at the coast, while winters are cool with overnight temperatures around 7 to 12°C. The lighthouse precinct at Green Cape can be particularly exposed and windy, with sea fog common in autumn and winter. Conditions are excellent for whale watching in spring.

The Thaua people, closely related to the broader Yuin nation, have occupied the far south coast for tens of thousands of years. Their most celebrated cultural tradition involves the cooperative relationship with orca, or killer whales, which the Thaua called Beowa and considered as spirit helpers who drove baleen whales into Twofold Bay for human hunters to kill. This cross-species relationship continued into the early 20th century through the partnership between the Davidson whalers and the orca pod led by a whale named Old Tom, whose skeleton is preserved in the Eden Killer Whale Museum. Green Cape has long been a significant navigational waypoint for Indigenous seafarers.

The area now known as Beowa National Park was originally gazetted as part of Ben Boyd National Park in 1972. The renaming to Beowa was completed in recent years following a process of consultation with the Thaua Aboriginal Corporation, recognising that the park's original name honoured a controversial colonial entrepreneur rather than the traditional custodians. The Green Cape Lighthouse, constructed in 1883, is a significant heritage structure maintained within the park. The lighthouse keepers' cottages have been converted into holiday accommodation managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The park's values are complementary to the northern Ben Boyd section.

Green Cape Lighthouse is the park's signature destination, accessible via a scenic drive from Eden through forest to the dramatic headland. The lighthouse precinct offers spectacular coastal views, little penguin viewing, whale watching, and tours of the historic lighthouse. The Light to Light Walk begins at Boyd Tower in the north and concludes at Green Cape Lighthouse, covering approximately 30 kilometres of coastal terrain over two to three days. The Pinnacles geological formation is accessible via a short walk and is one of the most striking natural features on the south coast. Beach access at Bittangabee Bay provides swimming and picnic opportunities in a sheltered setting.

Green Cape lighthouse keepers' cottages are available for self-contained holiday rental, offering a unique accommodation experience on the wild southern headland. Camping is available at Bittangabee Bay with basic facilities. The park is accessed via the Edrom Road from Eden, approximately 25 kilometres from the township. Eden provides all visitor services including the Eden Killer Whale Museum, accommodation, and restaurants. A sealed road connects Eden to the Edrom Road junction, with the remaining distance on good gravel road. National parks fees apply. Whale watching tours from Eden provide access to the offshore waters of Twofold Bay.

Conservation management in Beowa National Park mirrors that of the broader Ben Boyd area, with bitou bush control a primary priority on the coastal heath and dune systems. Little penguin colonies at Green Cape are monitored and managed, with fox and cat control implemented to protect nesting birds. The historic lighthouse precinct requires careful heritage conservation alongside natural values management. Marine habitats are protected under the South Coast Marine Park. The renaming of the park represents an important step in recognising Indigenous custodianship, and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service works with the Thaua Aboriginal Corporation on joint management and cultural heritage programs.