Kiah: Towamba River and whaling history

Kiah is shaped by the Towamba River and historic sites in the surrounding area. The two private campsites at Kiah Wilderness Camp are right on the river; tours on the Towamba River are also available. The Davidson Whaling Station and the Killer Whale Trail offer a different focus: they take you to historic sites around Eden. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between Kiah’s connection to the river and the attractions in the surrounding area.

Accommodation on the Towamba River

The two private campsites at Kiah Wilderness Camp are right on the Towamba River. Each site has a ground-level fire pit. Each fire pit is therefore assigned to an individual site. As facilities can change, confirm this information before booking. The direct connection to the river is the specific local feature of these sites.

Whaling history in the surrounding area

The Davidson Whaling Station is on the southern shore of Twofold Bay, at Kiah Inlet where the Towamba River meets the sea. It is 35 road kilometres south of Eden and in the surrounding area of Kiah. For your visit, its location on the bay is a useful landmark, as is its connection to the river-mouth area.

Tours of the historic station are offered during school holidays. Tours for groups and school classes of 14 people or more are available on request. If you’re planning a tour, check the dates and booking requirements in advance. This distinguishes the seasonal option from visits that are explicitly subject to a request and minimum group size.

The Killer Whale Trail is a self-guided day trip to five historic sites around Eden on the Sapphire Coast. The trail includes a picnic stop at the mouth of the Kiah River, near the Davidson Whaling Station. This is a different format from a tour of the station: the trail links several historic sites in a day trip, while tours at the station are offered during school holidays or, on request, for the specified groups.

Tours on the Towamba River

Kiah Wilderness Tours offers half-day tours on the Towamba River, which can travel upstream or downstream. This provides a shorter format with two possible directions of travel, alongside the self-guided day trip around Eden. You can assess the tours based on these two specific details; check before your trip whether they are currently available.

Kiah Wilderness Tours also offers small-group kayaking tours on the Towamba River. These differ from the half-day tours in their stated kayak and small-group format; no duration is specified. Check current availability before your trip and before adding the tour to your plans.

Getting around town

The Kiah General Store is in Kiah. If you’re planning to stop there for supplies, check its current opening status and available services in advance. This keeps the location information separate from the question of which services are currently available.

Discover more destinations: Cobargo, Pambula Beach, Murrah, Merimbula, Bermagui, Brogo, Eden, Pambula

For the broader travel overview: Bega Valley Shire Council.