LAKES COAST VISITOR GUIDE | PAGE 107 EDEN Five fascinating facts about Eden’s rich heritage Eden has a deep and rich heritage, starting with the original First Nations inhabitants, through to the arrival and settlement of Europeans, many of whom went on to become whalers, sealers, fishermen, timber cutters or pastoralists. Along the way, a fascinating history was created. Here’s a snapshot of just some of the key people, stories and events that helped shape the town we enjoy today… 1. Killer whales worked with the original inhabitants The original inhabitants of the Twofold Bay area were the Thaua people, who were part of the Yuin Nation. According to online news service, The Conversation, for generations the Thaua people worked with killer whales to hunt large whales in Twofold Bay, in “a partnership has no parallel anywhere in the world”. In an article published by The Conversation, killer whales would herd their giant prey (baleen whales) into shallower waters where hunters could spear them. Humans would get the meat, but the killer whales wanted a specific delicacy – the tongue. The article stated: “After colonists dispossessed the Thaua, Europeans began capitalising on this long-standing partnership. From around 1844, commercial whalers employed Thaua people, who worked with killer whales to hunt much prized larger whales, such as the baleen. The pods of killer whales would find a baleen whale, herd it closer to shore and signal the local whalers by slapping their tails on the water”. You can discover more about this unique, symbiotic partnership (and see Old Tom’s skeleton) at Eden’s Killer Whale Museum. 2. Bass makes a name (or two) for himself British naval surgeon and explorer George Bass named Twofold Bay for its two bights as he passed through in 1798, taking shelter in the bay he named Snug Cove (Eden). Twofold Bay provided a safe haven for merchant vessels sailing to and from Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) across Bass Strait. 3. A whale of a time The whaling industry in Eden commenced with the arrival of Thomas Raine, who established the first whaling station on mainland Australia at Snug Cove in 1828. Whaling continued in Eden until 1930 — the longest continuous shore-based whaling industry in the world. 4. Let’s hear it for the Boyd In 1842, Benjamin Boyd arrived in Eden, quickly becoming a major pastoralist and whaling entrepreneur. He established Boydtown, hoping that it would become a major port to rival Sydney and Melbourne. Seven years later, his plans collapsed when he was declared bankrupt, and left the colony in disgrace. However, Boyd left his mark on the region, with Boyd’s Tower, Boydtown, and the Seahorse Inn all reminders of his important influence. 5. Naming a paradise A government surveyor mapping the site for the township in 1843, named it after the then Secretary of the Colonies, George Eden, Earl of Auckland. By the time of federation in 1901, Eden was even cited as a potential capital of Australia. Sources: visiteden.com.au, thecoversation.com Boyd’s Tower in Eden was commissioned by businessman Benjamin Boyd in the mid 1880s, when he was pushing for Boydtown to become a major port to rival Sydney and Melbourne. Photo: Visit NSW An historic C1900 photo of an Eden whaling crew working with killer whale ‘Old Tom’ to hunt larger whales. Photo: Eden Killer Whale Museum Information correct at time of publication. Source: toiletmap.gov.au Here’s a list of all-abilities public toilets in this region. All toilets are open during daylight hours, unless otherwise specified. More info at toiletmap.gov.au SAPPHIRE COAST ALL-ABILITIES PUBLIC TOILETS Need a stop? comfort Eden Caltex Eden, 159 Imlay Street, Eden (7am-9pm) Chandos Street, Eden (24 hrs) Aslings Beach, 8 Lake Street, Eden (6am-2:30pm) Aslings Beach, Barclay Street, Eden (6am-2:30pm) Pambula Baddeleys Car Park, Princes Highway, Pambula (24 hrs) Merimbula Palmers Car Park, Palmer Street, Merimbula (24 hrs) Tathra Taylors Square Park, Andy Poole Drive, Tathra (24 hrs) Tathra Wharf, Wharf Road, Tathra (24 hrs) Bermagui Apex Park, Opposite Tuross St, Bermagui (24 hrs) Dickinson Park, Lamont St, Bermagui (24 hrs) Blue Pools, Pacific Drive, Bermagui (24 hrs) Reflections Holiday Park, 1 Lamont St, Bermagui (24 hrs)
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