Green Cape Lighthouse and Lookout
Download & Print Map and Notes30 mins
826 m Return
16 m
Easy track
Green Cape
Green Cape is a headland at the southern end of Ben Boyd National Park, forming the northern head of Disaster Bay. The cape’s traditional owners are the people of the Yuin nation, from whom there remains evidence of a number of camps in the area. The cape was named ‘Green Point’ by Matthew Flinders in 1798. The area began its notorious fame in 1802 when eight of Flinders’ crew disappeared when fetching water, in what he then appropriately named ‘Disaster Bay’. The Imlay brothers and Boyd both established whaling business in the area in the early to mid 1800’s, leaving several buildings in the park. There were many shipwrecks in the surrounding waters, the most famous being the SS Ly-ee-moon, whose victims are buried on the cape. The most visible feature on the cape is the 29-metre high lighthouse that is still operational today. NPWS run 1-hour tours of the site based on bookings . There is a composting toilet at the car park at the end of Green Cape Road. Accommodation is also available in the renovated lighthouse keeper cottages.
(0km) Green Cape Lighthouse Car Park → Enjoying Green Cape int.
50 m
1 mins
0m
-2m
Easy track
From the dirt car park[2] at the end of Green Cape Lighthouse Rd, this walk leads past the manual park entry fees station[3] to then turn right following the ‘Walkway to Lighthouse’ sign[4] along the boardwalk, gently uphill. The walk leads past the ‘toilet’ sign[5] and continues along the boardwalk (now with handrail[6]) to come to a 3-way intersection and a large sheltered ‘Enjoying Green Cape’ information sign[7].
(0.05km) Enjoying Green Cape int. → Green Cape Lighthouse Telegraph Station
40 m
1 mins
0m
0m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads uphill along the boardwalk[8] (between the two handrails) to the ‘Get the message’ information sign[9]. The path now follows ‘lighthouse 200m’ sign[10] and the fence line for another 20m to come beside the white ‘Signal Flag Locker’ building and signpost[11]. This is the site of the old Green Cape Lighthouse Telegraph Station[12].
Green Cape Telegraph Station
Green Cape Telegraph Station was established in 1882. The station acted as a relay station, re-sending ship-to-shore messages from boats passing by. Ships, and communication staff on Green Cape, would use semaphore flags to communicate a message. When required, the messages could also be relayed using Morse code. The telegraph station is a white concrete building with a tin roof. The building has a blue painted base and is less than 100m north of Green Cape Lighthouse in Ben Boyd National Park.
Cape Lighthouse Keepers
The Cape Lighthouse Keepers’ cottages is a large concrete building near Green Cape Lighthouse in Ben Boyd National Park. There are two cottages that have been refurbished, each sleeping up to 6 guests and boasting 3.5 stars. Each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, bathroom, lounge room (with sofa bed), Master bedroom (Queen) and second bedroom (2 singles). The price starts from $250 a night per cottage. Bookings are essential, for more info call NPWS on 13000 72757 or online
(0.09km) Green Cape Lighthouse Telegraph Station → Green Cape Lighthouse entry gate
180 m
3 mins
0m
-3m
Easy track
Continue straight: From beside the Telegraph Station, this walk follows the boardwalk along the fenceline, downhill towards the lighthouse[14]. After about 50m the path leads to a ‘Jack of all trades’ sign[15] and a section of 20m of hand railing either side of the path[16]. The path now leads uphill for about 45m to pass the large solar panel array[17] where the walk heads down for another 60m to come to a ‘no entry’ gate[18] beside the Green Cape Lighthouse tower[19].
Green Cape Lighthouse
Green Cape Lighthouse is a majestic, 29 meter tall, white octagon-shaped, concrete and blue stone monolith, at the southern tip of Ben Boyd National Park. The lighthouse construction was tendered in 1880 and Albert Aspinall started construction in 1881. He built a timber tram line from Bittangabee Bay to transport materials. After having to dig footing much deeper than expected, in addition to dealing with workers’ disputes, Aspinall went broke and his creditors completed the project. The original lantern was oil-fired and was visible 19NM out to sea. Today, the lighthouse still operates with a solar-powered electric light. The lighthouse buildings and grounds can be visited on a tour, otherwise enjoyed from outside the fence. The lighthouse was functionally replaced with a more modern metal tower 60m down the hill in 1992.
(0.26km) Green Cape Lighthouse entry gate → Green Cape Lookout
150 m
3 mins
0m
-11m
Easy track
Continue straight: From the gate[20] beside the Green Cape Lighthouse tower[21], this walk leads downhill along the boardwalk, keeping the lighthouse to the left and immediately passing small seat. After about 25m the fence leaves the path (there is a picnic table about 30m over the grass to the left[22]), where the walk continues downhill along the boardwalk[23] for another 45m to come beside large white metal tower[24]. This tower has been the official lighthouse since 1992 .
Continue straight: From the modern lighthouse tower, this walk follows the boardwalk[26] downhill around the metal tower. Ater about 15m the walk leads past the ‘Wildlife navigates the coast safely’ information sign[27], then continues mostly downhill for another 70m to the fenced lookout.
Continue straight: From the modern lighthouse tower, this walk follows the boardwalk[26] downhill around the metal tower. Ater about 15m the walk leads past the ‘Wildlife navigates the coast safely’ information sign[27], then continues mostly downhill for another 70m to the fenced lookout.
Green Cape Lookout
The lookout at the point of Green Cape, at the southern end of Ben Boyd National Park, provides great views out to sea and along the coast. On the right, the view extends across Disaster Bay to Nadgee Nature Reserve[28] and down into Victoria. To the left, there are views north along rugged sea cliffs[29] and views of Green Cape Lighthouse and accommodation[30]. An information sign at the lookout tells some of the story of the Ly-ee-moon tragedy[31]. The lookout platform is fenced (1.07m high). There are no seats at the lookout.
Maps for the Green Cape Lighthouse and Lookout walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
Narrabarba | 1:25 000 Map Series | 88232N NARRABARBA | NSW-88232N |
Green Cape | 1:100 000 Map Series | 8923 GREEN CAPE | 8923 |
Cross sectional view of the Green Cape Lighthouse and Lookout bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Green Cape Lighthouse and Lookout
Accessibility summary information for the Green Cape Lighthouse and Lookout
Parking: There are 0 designated accessible parking areas on this walk.
Toilets: There are 0 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 2 places to sit on this walk. They are 300m apart.
Hazards: There are 1 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Trip Hazard The boardwalk is slightly elevated and has an ungraded side with a 25cm drop to the side. Found about 320m into the walk.
Toilets: There are 0 designated accessible toilets on this walk.
Seats: There are 2 places to sit on this walk. They are 300m apart.
Hazards: There are 1 specific noteable accessability related hazards on this walk.
Trip Hazard The boardwalk is slightly elevated and has an ungraded side with a 25cm drop to the side. Found about 320m into the walk.
Accessibility Details
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
Length | 826 m | ||
Time | 30 mins | ||
. | |||
Grade 2/6 Easy track |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6) |
Quality of track | Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6) | ||
Signs | Clearly signposted (1/6) | ||
Experience Required | No experience required (1/6) | ||
Weather | Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6) | ||
Infrastructure | Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
Around 260m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 150m is flat with no steps.
Quality of track
Around 260m of this walk follows a smooth and hardened path, whilst the remaining 150m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.
Signs
This whole walk, 410m is clearly signposted.
Experience Required
This whole walk, 410m requires no previous bushwalking experience.
weather
This whole walk, 410m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).
Infrastructure
This whole walk, 410m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).
Similar walks
Other Nearby walks
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Green Cape Lighthouse and Lookout walk starts and ends at the Green Cape Lighthouse Car Park (gps: -37.259525, 150.04796)Your main transport option to Green Cape Lighthouse Car Park is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
(get details)
Fire Danger
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.Weather Forest
This walk starts in the South Coast weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.Forecast snapshot
Park Information & Alerts
Short URL = http://wild.tl/1u
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
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