Located in Eden, New South Wales, Davidson Whaling Station, was one of the earliest shore-based whaling stations in Australia. Nestled on the rugged coastline of Twofold Bay, the station is a reminder of Australia’s whaling past.
Getting There
Davidson Whaling Station is located approximately 10 kilometres south of Eden, NSW. The site has a carpark and toilet facilities which are not far from the old Davidson House. The last four kilometres of road into the site are unsealed, but were in good condition when we visited. Access to the site is free, although there is an entrance fee for the nearby Beowa National Park
Historical Overview
Established in 1865 by the Davidson family, the station operated for more than 50 years, before closing in 1929. At the time whaling was a significant industry along the Australian coast. The Davidson family, led by patriarch John Davidson, carved out a life along the shores of Twofold Bay, relying on the abundant whale populations that frequented the bay during their migration.
What set Davidson Whaling Station apart from many other whaling operations was its reliance on shore-based techniques, as opposed to the more common ship-based hunting methods. Whalers at the station used small rowing boats to pursue whales and harpoon them, a method that required remarkable skill and courage. Twofold Bay’s unique geography, with its deep waters and sheltered inlets, made it an ideal location for such operations.
The Role of the Killer Whales
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Davidson Whaling Station was the unique partnership between the whalers and the local pod of killer whales. Led by a famous orca named Old Tom, the pod played an active role in the whaling process. The killer whales would assist the whalers by herding baleen whales into the bay, making them easier to catch. Old Tom was so well-known and valued that his skeletal remains are now preserved in the Eden Killer Whale Museum.
Preservation and the Site Today
Davidson Whaling Station ceased operations in 1929, as changing economic and environmental factors brought an end to Australia’s shore-based whaling industry. However, the site has since been preserved, allowing future generations to learn about this chapter of Australian history.
Today, Davidson Whaling Station is managed by the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service and is part of the Beowa National Park. Visitors to the site can explore the remnants of the station, including the original tryworks—where whale blubber was rendered into oil—along with other artifacts and structures that provide a glimpse into the daily operations of the whaling station. The original Davidson family home is not open to the public, although you can view it from outside.
However, apart from the rusty rendering pots at the try-works, there is little remaining of the site, apart from the family house.
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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
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