Discovery directory: things to see, eat and do in Eden
Discovery Directory: Things to See, Eat & Do in Eden
Location. Location. Location. One of Australia’s premier coastal wilderness areas provides prime real estate for our holiday park on the Sapphire Coast; Discovery Parks – Eden.
It’s a gem of a location, with our holiday park halfway between Melbourne and Sydney, a 3-hour drive from Canberra, and less than 10-minutes from Eden town centre. With so much to See, Eat & Do, drive in and discover our little secret paradise of beautiful beaches and native bushland with these pearls of local wisdom.
SEE
Head towards the rugged coastline to see humpback whales migrating in search of warmer waters. Eden’s world-famous whale-watching season is active during the cooler months between May and October, so stop by to get a glimpse of these massive mammals feeding and fattening up in the crystal blue waters.
You can still have a whale of a time outside of whale-watching season too. One of Eden’s main tourist attractions is the full skeleton of ’Tom’, the legendary orca. Learn about his story and get schooled in the region’s rich whaling history with a guided tour at the Eden Killer Whale Museum.
Feel the community vibes and join the fun every 3rd Saturday of the month at The Eden Community Market. Between 8:30am and midday fill your #EmptyEsky with fresh local produce, support local artists by stocking up on hand-made arts & crafts for upcoming gifts, fill your stomach with a BBQ lunch and dance like no one is watching to the live entertainment.
EAT
When you’re this close to the sea, every menu in town features seafood. Eden’s deep harbour (one of the deepest in the southern hemisphere) means that it’s an exceptional fishing port, with fleets of trawlers and vessels delivering the freshest catches of the day from Snug Cove. Stop for a bite to eat and watch all the action unfold from one of the eateries on the wharf – Wharfside Cage, Drift Bar & Restaurant or Finny’s By The Wharf.
Allergic to seafood and need an alternative, stop by Sprout Eden for a cafe style menu filled with dishes that showcase fresh produce from local growers and Australian businesses. The spread also includes vegetarian and gluten-free choices.
Another popular attraction for locals and visitors is the award-winning Eden Smokehouse. Take home the taste of Eden with some smoked or cured seafood including mussels, trout, eel and Atlantic salmon, much of it sourced from the waters of the Sapphire Coast.
DO
The Sapphire Coast is a walker’s delight with Ben Boyd National Park spanning 47km of rocky coastline. Make sure a sturdy pair of walking shoes is top of your pack list so you can comfortably explore the national park and forest on foot with a short, leisurely coastal stroll; or for those more serious hikers, a long self-guided bush trail. While the National Park is always open, on occasion, certain areas may be closed due to poor weather, fire danger or other natural reasons. Make sure your walk is safe and check the website for any closure alerts.
Before you step out, download the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services Self-Guided Tours app to accompany you. You’ll be able to pre-plan for your walk with a list of items to bring along, follow walking trail maps, and learn about the region’s heritage, plants, animals and more.
Excited about taking in the great outdoors? Then smell the fresh sea air with these recommended walks:
- Embark on the Light to Light walk between Boyd Tower and Green Cape Lighthouse
- Take the easy walk to the Green Cape Lookout and spot whales, dolphins and fur seals from this vantage point.
Asling’s Beach is in the heart of Eden and it’s the best swimming beach in the region. The golden sand is patrolled during the summer months and bordered by Lake Curalo which is perfect for snorkelling, and the Rock Pool which is ideal for the little ones to splash around in.
For the mini marine-biologist, head to The Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre for a hands-on sea experience. Learn about the marine wildlife that call the Sapphire Coast home through a range of interesting displays and exhibits and, get up close and personal with the less dangerous species in the touch tank. School holidays bring a range of outdoor excursions with Rock Pool Ramble Discovery Tours and Guided Snorkel Discovery Tours.
STAY
Eden is popular for destination weddings and our holiday park is a 5-minute drive from Eden’s most popular wedding venue. Get yourself picture perfect in our most popular cabin, a Superior 2-Bedroom Cabin that sleeps up to 4 people, has a full kitchen and bathroom with walk-in shower.
Need something a little larger for your seaside slumber party, then book a Deluxe 2-Bedroom Cabin with room to sleep 6 people. The family will be super comfortable with a lounge, dining area, ensuite bathroom, full kitchen, air-conditioning and balcony with outdoor setting.
Cruising the east coast from Melbourne to Townsville? Why not stop at our place along the way and book an Ensuite Powered Site. Our sites are pet-friendly, situated near the camp kitchen and you’ll wake up to the fresh sea air. We also have a number of Drive Through Powered Sites for those staying overnight and needing space for a bigger rig, up to 11.2 metres in length.
