port

A NATURAL HARBOUR

The Port of Eden is equidistant from Sydney and Melbourne, located approximately 40km from the Victorian border. It is the third-deepest natural harbour in the Southern Hemisphere, making it ideal for large vessels. This working port is also a premier location for whale watching, an emerging cruise destination and home port to one of the largest fishing fleets in NSW. Snug Cove is also a popular refuge for yachts.

Snug Cove

Set in a working port under the shadow of Balawan (Mount Imlay) Snug Cove harbours a fleet of fishing boats, tugboats, charter and recreational vessels. Wander the wharves and you’ll see boats come and go, the day’s catch being unloaded and fishermen working on their nets and tending to their boats.  You can purchase fresh local fish and other seafood from South Coast Fish Processors just across from the wharf area as well as a variety of smoked local seafood at Sapphire Smokehouse. If you’re lucky you might catch the local prawn trawler unloading and be able to buy local school prawns ready to eat (in season) straight off the boat.

Snug Cove Eden Port NSW

Cruise Eden

Cruise Eden is the locally based not-for-profit organisation that welcomes cruise ship passengers to the Port of Eden. Since 2014, the Port of Eden has seen a significant increase in cruise ship visitation. Ships previously had to anchor in Twofold Bay and tender passengers ashore by boat until August 2019 when the $44 million wharf extension was completed, enabling passenger vessels up to 325 metres in length to berth alongside the upgraded wharf at Snug Cove. These facilities were improved yet again in 2021 when the Eden Welcome Centre was opened, providing a sheltered location for Cruise Eden’s famous markets, as well as further facilities for passengers including the Eden Visitor Information Centre on the ground floor. Visit the Cruise Eden page to view the current cruise ship schedule and find further information for those visiting Eden as a cruise ship passenger.

Multipurpose Wharf

Commissioned in October 2003, the multipurpose wharf situated on the southern side of Twofold Bay is a 200m long, 30m wide concrete wharf accessed via a 560m long timber jetty.  It has a berthing depth of 12m and was designed to accommodate softwood exports, cargo, and naval deammunitioning. When it’s not closed for commercial use, it is open to the public to enjoy and a walk to the end will reward you with fabulous views of this coastline including historic Edrom Lodge. It is also a popular location for fishermen catching fish such as snapper or worwong, and snorkellers harvesting mussels or trying to spot the local weedy sea dragons.  You can view the current shipping schedule to check if the wharf is open to the public here.

Eden Port with ships

History of the Port

The Port of Eden has welcomed many prominent maritime arrivals since the late 18th century, playing a key role in shaping the identity of this seaside town. Head to Our Maritime History page to discover some of the fascinating tales of Eden’s most famous and interesting ships, seafarers and exploits.

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