AUSTRALIA
ROADTRIP

South Australia
Western Australia
& Northern Territory

Start Location Victoria

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EDEN AND OLD TOM THE KILLER WHALE

Grand Pacific Drive

Beginning south of Sydney the drive follows a 140 km coastal route via Wollongong and across the Sea Cliff Bridge. The drive continues through to Shellharbour, Kiama and beyond. The route leading to Eden some 370 km from Shellharbour.

Old Tom, Killer Whale of Eden

(c. 1895 – 17 September 1930)

Old Tom was a killer whale (orca) known to whalers in the port of Eden, New South Wales. Old Tom measured 22 feet (6.7 m) and weighed 6 tons, with a 3.33 feet (1 m) skull and teeth about 5.31 inches (13.4 cm) long.

Old Tom, the legendary leader of "The Killers of Eden," was a remarkable figure in the history of whaling during the 1920s. This pod of killer whales, led by Old Tom, developed a unique and complex relationship with whalers, providing them with invaluable assistance in locating and hunting whales for their precious oil. The bond between the whalers and the killer whales was a testament to the intricate dynamics of nature and human interaction.

Old Tom's intelligence and strategic prowess were unparalleled, as he orchestrated coordinated efforts with the whalers to corner and immobilize their prey, making the dangerous and arduous task of whaling more efficient and successful. The symbiotic relationship between the whalers and the killer whales was a fascinating example of mutual benefit and cooperation between two seemingly opposing forces.

Despite the controversial nature of whaling, the story of Old Tom and "The Killers of Eden" serves as a reminder of the intricate connections that exist in the natural world and the unexpected alliances that can form between humans and animals. The legacy of Old Tom and his pod continues to intrigue and inspire, shedding light on the complexities of interspecies relationships and the profound impact they can have on our understanding of the world around us.

Old Tom's bones were preserved and his skeleton is now on display in the Eden Killer Whale Museum.

If driving south from Sydney towards Eden drive the winding Sea Cliff Bridge with expansive coastal views. The bridge is often featured in television automotive advertisements. The Sea Cliff Bridge, together with the adjoining Lawrence Hargrave Drive Bridge, are two road bridges that carry the scenic Lawrence Hargrave Drive across the rockface on the lllawarra escarpment, located in the northern Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia.

Traveldriven

Sydney to Sea Cliff Bridge 62 km by road.

Via Grand Pacific Drive.

Sea Cliff Bridge Google Maps

Sydney to Eden 540 km by road.

Eden to Melbourne 560 km by road.

Merimbula to Eden by road 20 km.

DRIVE MELBOURNE OR SYDNEY TO EDEN