Twofold Bay

Twofold Bay is a large, sheltered natural harbour on the far south coast of New South Wales, adjoining the town of Eden in Bega Valley Shire. Known as the third deepest natural harbour in the southern hemisphere, it is notable for its whaling history, association with killer whales such as Old Tom, and seasonal whale migration. The bay encompasses beaches, wharves, lookouts and is bordered by Beowa National Park, offering scenic coastal landscapes.

Visitors can expect a wide, sheltered bay with deep blue waters framed by forested headlands and sandy beaches. The foreshore at Eden includes Snug Cove wharf, fishing boats, and the Eden Killer Whale Museum. Lookouts such as those at Beowa National Park and Boyds Tower offer panoramic views over the bay. The area is known for whale watching in season, coastal walks, boating and fishing, with interpretive displays about whaling history and Aboriginal heritage.

Twofold Bay has a significant whaling history dating from the 1820s. Shore whaling stations were established by Thomas Raine and later operated by Benjamin Boyd in the 1840s, including Boyds Tower (1847) used as a whale-spotting tower and Davidson Whaling Station, the longest operating shore station in Australia. The bay is famous for the collaboration between whalers and killer whales, notably Old Tom, celebrated at the Eden Killer Whale Museum.

The bay lies within Yuin Country and is culturally significant to the Thaua people of the Yuin Nation, who have long connections to the coastline and marine resources. The whaling heritage and the story of the killer whales hold strong community significance for Eden and are interpreted through the Killer Whale Museum and historic sites around the bay.