This walk takes a look at the historical ruins of the Imlay brothers house. The ruins reveal the outline of what would have been a great house, in a quiet and scenic bay. The walk returns by the coast with views through the trees of the turquoise waters. This is an interesting trip to help understand the work of local whalers and business men who lived in the region during the mid 1800's. Let us begin by acknowledging the Yuin people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Bittangabee bay camping and day use area. | Photo by admin, 2009.Track away from Bittangabee car park. | Photo by admin, 2009.Creek flowing to beach at Bittangabee. | Photo by admin, 2009.Track up to Bittangabee picnic area. | Photo by admin, 2009.Sign before split for Imlays House ruins. | Photo by admin, 2009.Imlay House ruins. | Photo by admin, 2009.Imlay ruins. | Photo by admin, 2009.Information at Imlay House ruins. | Photo by admin, 2009.Platform above Imlay House ruins. | Photo by admin, 2009.View through the bush to the northern Bittangabee Point. | Photo by admin, 2009.Flowers over track. | Photo by admin, 2009.Ferns beside the track. | Photo by admin, 2009.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Car (A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.)
Directions
From Imlay Street, A1
Turn on to Mitchell Street, A1 then drive for 18.3 km
Turn left onto Edrom Road and drive for another 5.7 km
Turn right onto Green Cape Road and drive for another 11.2 km
Turn left onto Green Cape Road and drive for another 4.6 km
Turn sharp left onto Bittangabee Road and drive for another 3 km
Turn left onto Bittangabee Road and drive for another 165 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the picnic area, the walk follows the sign to 'Saltwater Creek 9.0km' down the hill, keeping the road above on the left. The track heads down the hillside and crosses a rocky creek bed, then leads up the hill to an information sign marking the intersection.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
There is a toilet (about 70 m back from the start).
There is a car park (about 70 m back from the start).
Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area (about 15 m back from the start).
Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area
Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area
Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area is near Bittangabee Bay and camp area in Ben Boyd National Park. The picnic area is a day-use only area with a few picnic tables, an electric BBQ and a pit toilet. There is a reasonable amount of natural shade, and is close to a car park. There is short walk to the beach and ruins at Bittangabee Bay. The picnic area is well signposted on the loop road near the Bittangabee camping area.
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Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area is near Bittangabee Bay and camp area in Ben Boyd National Park. The picnic area is a day-use only area with a few picnic tables, an electric BBQ and a pit toilet. There is a reasonable amount of natural shade, and is close to a car park. There is short walk to the beach and ruins at Bittangabee Bay. The picnic area is well signposted on the loop road near the Bittangabee camping area.
After another 110 m veer left.
After another 215 m find the "Imlay House" (on your right).
Imlay House
Imlay House
Imlay House ruins still show the foundations of a house built by the Imlay brothers in 1844. The ruins are found in Bittangabee Bay in Ben Boyd National Park, along the Light to Light track. The house was to be a station for the Imlay family to further their grazing and whaling in the area. It appears the stone house was never completed, with the brothers dying in 1846 (George) and 1847 (Alexander). Soon after the Imlay brothers died, Benjamin Boyd began using the bay for his own whaling company in 1848.
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Imlay House ruins still show the foundations of a house built by the Imlay brothers in 1844. The ruins are found in Bittangabee Bay in Ben Boyd National Park, along the Light to Light track. The house was to be a station for the Imlay family to further their grazing and whaling in the area. It appears the stone house was never completed, with the brothers dying in 1846 (George) and 1847 (Alexander). Soon after the Imlay brothers died, Benjamin Boyd began using the bay for his own whaling company in 1848.
After another 155 m turn sharp right, to head along Light to Light Walk.
After another 430 m find the "Bittangabee Bay Beach" (80 m on your left).
Bittangabee Bay Beach
Bittangabee Bay Beach
Bittangabee Bay Beach, Ben Boyd National Park, is a small beach at the south-western corner of the bay. The beach can be accessed by a short walk from Bittangabee picnic area in Ben Boyd National Park. The yellow sand beach has a small creek and lagoon behind. The beach also has rock platforms at each end and is fairly well-protected from swells, being tucked away in the bay. The historic storehouse is visible on the shore to the right.
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Bittangabee Bay Beach, Ben Boyd National Park, is a small beach at the south-western corner of the bay. The beach can be accessed by a short walk from Bittangabee picnic area in Ben Boyd National Park. The yellow sand beach has a small creek and lagoon behind. The beach also has rock platforms at each end and is fairly well-protected from swells, being tucked away in the bay. The historic storehouse is visible on the shore to the right.
After another 6 m continue straight, to head along Light to Light Walk.
After another 140 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Bittangabee Bay Imlay House Loop
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
1.1 km
Time
25 min to 40 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (1/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
Bushwalk
25 min to 40 min
Toilet: There is one -26 m back from the start.
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There is a car park (about 70 m back from the start).
Bittangabee Bay Picnic Area (about 15 m back from the start).
After another 215 m find the "Imlay House" (on your right).
