Disaster Bay Lookout

Download & Print Map and Notes

10 mins

52 m Return

11 m

Easy track

This is a very short walk to a spectacular lookout. If you are in the area heading to Green Cape, then you really must stop off and soak up the view. Disaster Bay is named in memory of all the ships that have run aground in the region. On a sunny day, the views of the ocean, long beach and Nadgee Nature Reserve are remarkable - such a contrast to the memory of the lost ships and lives.

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Disaster Bay LO car park

The Disaster Bay lookout car park is signposted[1] off the side of Green Cape Lighthouse Rd (a 15km dirt road drive from Edrom Rd). The unsealed area[2] can park about 15 cars (no marked parking bays). The car park has a sheltered information sign[3] and a manual pay station for park use fees[4].

(0km) Disaster Bay LO car park → Disaster Bay Lookout

30 m

1 mins

-11m Easy track

From sheltered information sign in the Disaster Bay lookout car park, this walk heads downhill across the dirt car park towards the water view. After about 10m the walk leads over some tree root steps

[Trip Hazard]

then comes to the timber boardwalk. The walk follows the fenced timber board walk to come to the lookout, a seat

[Seat]

and spectacular views.

Disaster Bay Lookout

Disaster Bay Lookout is found in Ben Boyd National Park and provides spectacular views over Disaster Bay and Nadgee Nature Reserve & wilderness area. There is a seat

[Seat]

and a 1.1m high fence[5] around the lookout. Midway along Disaster Bay beach is the mouth of Wonboyn River and Bay Cliff. On the far side, you can also see the mouth of Merrica River. There have been at least 27 ships that have been lost from Merimbula to Disaster Bay , suggesting the name is apt. The 'City of Sydney' is the first recorded ship to run aground in this bay (at City Rocks). It was an iron steamer, built at Glasgow, hit the shoreline in fog whilst under steam from Melbourne to Sydney on 6 October 1862.

Maps for the Disaster Bay 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.

Sydney Heads	1:25 000 Map Series	91302N SYDNEY HEADS	NSW-91302N
Kiah	1:25 000 Map Series	88231S KIAH	NSW-88231S
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130
Eden	1:100 000 Map Series	8823 EDEN	8823

Cross sectional view of the Disaster Bay Lookout bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Disaster Bay Lookout

Altitude analysis for Disaster Bay Lookout

Accessibility Profile

This page is designed to give you a sense of the facilities that help improve access for people with disabilities or mobility restrictions. See tracknotes and map for navigation, point of interest and other information. See the Accessibility Details below for specific information about each facility.

Slope: No steps, the car park is rough in places with a few exposed tree roots.

Surface: The walk across starts from the unsealed car park. The rest is on timber boardwalk.

Seats: There is 1 seat (including picnic tables) on this walk.

Access hazards: There is 1 access hazard on this walk (such as pinch points, trip hazards or steep sections). See the Accessibility Details and track notes for specifics.

Accessibility Details

1 Trip Hazard (10m)

Two tree root trip hazards with a 7cm step. There is an 80cm gap between the end of the roots and edge of the track.

2 Seat (25m)

A timber bench seat, 49cm high, 55cm deep and 1.6m wide with no arm or backrest.

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	52 m
		Time	10 mins
		.
Grade 2/6 Easy track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
		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

This whole walk, 25m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

This whole walk, 25m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

This whole walk, 25m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 25m requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 25m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

This whole walk, 25m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Disaster Bay Lookout walk.

Pulpit Rock

110 m Return, 10 mins

This is a fantastic short walk, with views of the waves crashing into the spectacular red rock of the coast. The short walk down to Pulpit Rock goes straight down stairs onto the rock platform. The rock platform is popular with fishermen with fixed rod holders near the seas edge.

Total climbing: 15m

Hard track

Bittangabee Bay carpark to beach

180 m Return, 5 mins

This is a short walk onto the lovely, sandy Bittangabee Beach. The walk heads down from the car park, through the picnic area and onto the beach. There is generally no surf at the beach as it tucked into the bay. The walk is very well signposted and along a well defined track.

Total climbing: 6m

The walk to Pulpit Rock is a great way to see an amazing section of coastline. Traveling from Green Cape car park, near the lighthouse, the walk passes through large sections of heath and melaleuca to reach Pulpit Rock car park. Pulpit rock is quite a large formation with an excellent lookout, provi

Total climbing: 89m

Hard track

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Disaster Bay Lookout walk starts and ends at the Disaster Bay LO car park (gps: -37.235710, 149.99435)

Car. Parking fees apply in the area.<br /> (get details)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the South Coast weather district.

A detailed forecast for this walk isn't available yet.

Current Alerts

Live alerts aren't available for this walk. Check the NPWS website for closures and the RFS for current fire danger.

Park Information

Ben Boyd National Park

Ben Boyd National park is on the NSW South Coast, near Eden. The park was named and established in 1971, in the honour of Benjamin Boyd (1801-1851). Ben Boyd National park protects a wonderful section of coast line from Pambula to Green Cape, split into two distinct sections, one north of Eden and the other south. The park is well known for its contrasting red rocks, whale sighting, Boyd Tower, Green Cape Lighthouse and associated history. Ben Boyd National park offers some great insights into recent European history, Indigenous occupation and natural history. The park provides two campsites some other great recreational experiences.

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