NSW’s Revamped Light to Light Walk Has 2 New Campgrounds & More Coastal Views Than Ever Before

 

 

New campgrounds and more coastline track are part of the major upgrades to the 32km Light to Light Walk on NSW’s Far South Coast, near Eden. 

The three-day, two-night Light to Light Walk is a well-loved coastal hike bookmarked by two historic lighthouses, Boyds Tower and Green Cape Lighthouse. It showcases the rugged red cliffs and contrastingly blue bays of Beowa National Park on Yuin Country. 

What’s changed?

The upgraded trail includes two fresh hike-in only campgrounds, purpose-built and by the ocean at Mowarry Point and Hegartys Bay, each including ten elevated hardwood sleeping platforms and toilet facilities.

Photo by Dan Parsons & DCCEEW

The placement of these campgrounds changes the structure of the trail, which used to encourage hikers to stay overnight at one or both of the drive-in campgrounds at Bittangabee and Saltwater Creek. Instead, these campgrounds remain for car campers, allowing hike-in campers separate facilities.

The new trail layout now encourages hikers to walk 9km from Boyds Tower to Mowarry Point on day one, 10km from Mowarry Point to Hegartys Bay on day two, and 13km from Hegartys Bay to Green Cape on day three.

Day three will now see more ocean views than ever before, as a new section of track has been created between Bittangabee Bay and Green Cape, which directs walkers over rock platforms rather than through heathland. Additional track realignments take walkers further along the coastline.

Photo by Remy Brand & DCCEEW

How do I walk the Light to Light?

Bookings for the walk cost $115 for up to four people and include a night at each campground. Each campground has ten campsites, with each site able to accommodate 1-2 hiking tents. Bookings can be made up to 180 days in advance through the NSW National Parks website.

For those not keen on carrying a pack, guided tours with gear transfer and meals are available for booking through a range of local tour companies.

Hang on, weren’t there going to be huts on this track?

The upgrades come six years after NSW National Parks sought public feedback on a proposal to upgrade the trail with privatised huts. 

Read more: From Light to Light to Hut to Hut But Not Everyone’s Happy

The proposal was met with public backlash and was changed to be government-owned and operated huts instead, which was again met with opposition by locals and the wider public. As it stands, NPWS do not currently have plans to install huts on the Light to Light Walk due to cost and logistical constraints.

The $14.9 million upgrades were jointly funded by NSW National Parks and the NSW Government’s Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund.

Photo by Remy Brand & DCCEEW

Feature photo by Remy Brand & DCCEEW