Surrounded by the stunning beaches, rugged cliffs, and crystal-clear waters of Beowa National Park lies the township of Eden – a natural paradise waiting to be explored.
Eden has come alive in recent years with beautifully restored historic buildings, world-class mountain biking trails, and a busy cruise port attracting visitors far and wide. It has various accommodation options, including hotels, motels, holiday parks, and camping grounds. There are also several dining establishments, cafés, and shops that offer something for everyone.
Eden is one of the few places in the world where humpback whales feed on their migratory route, and with other whale species travelling close to shore, it’s the perfect place to go whale-watching. Between May and November every year, these majestic creatures can be seen along the shoreline as they cruise along the ‘humpback highway’. Eden’s annual Whale Festival, held in October, will combine whale-watching experiences with on-shore activities celebrating these magnificent creatures.
Delve into Eden’s history at the Eden Killer Whale Museum. The Museum on Imlay Street provides a fascinating insight into the whaling era and the relationship between killer whales and local whalers. The Museum is home to the skeleton of Eden’s famous killer whale, ‘Old Tom’. ‘Old Tom’ was crucial to an extraordinary collaboration between humans and killer whales.
The best up-to-date information about the town can be found at the award-winning Visitor Information Centre inside the Eden Welcome Centre at Snug Cove. The Centre celebrates the history and storytelling of the Thaua people, maritime history, wildlife and the region’s key industries.
The Pambula River floodplain was for thousands of years a source of food and materials for the Thaua people of the Yuin nation.
Europeans first explored the region during George Bass’s southern voyage of 1797; a marker has been erected by the National Parks and Wildlife Service on this historic site. After severe flooding forced the township to relocate to its current location in the 1860s, Pambula has grown from a European settlement to a bustling tourist hot-spot. The village is home to an eclectic mix of businesses, with art galleries, cafés, restaurants, retailers, pubs, a bakery, a deli, an organic and bulk food shop, and even an old-fashioned milkbar, lolly shop, and tea room. The town’s historic past is still very much in evidence, with beautifully restored and maintained historic buildings and farmhouses.
Panboola is located at the southern end of Pambula and is a wonderful example of a community-led environmental restoration project. With hundreds of native trees, shrubs etc. planted, Panboola has transformed grazing paddocks into a thriving wetland area, with several walking tracks to explore.
Pambula Beach has an excellent swimming beach patrolled by the Pambula Surf Life Saving Club. Follow the river inland to find a walking track with viewing platforms offering beautiful views of the cliffs opposite and the crystal clear water below.
Head south on the Princes Highway and stop by Longstocking Brewery, located at the Oaklands site, and try a cocktail or craft beer, paired perfectly with a wood-fired pizza. Heading further south, turn left to Pambula Lake – the operational base for several oyster growers.
Stop in at Broadwater Oyster’s for delicious freshly-shucked oysters, grown in the clean waters of Pambula Lake.
Merimbula is a welcoming seaside town, with its beautiful beaches, lakeside restaurants and cafés, great shopping, playgrounds and an array of attractions and accommodations.
Surfing, snorkelling, fishing, boating and cycling are a few activities around Merimbula.
Merimbula Airport’s runway has been upgraded, allowing more airlines with larger planes to access the region. Scenic flights operate from Merimbula Airport and are the best way to see the far south coast.
Merimbula is a great place to go shopping, with locally owned shops lining the main street and tucked away in arcades and courtyards. Check out the latest fashion trends at one of the many boutiques – there are many choices for the whole family. Well-known brands also have a presence in town.
There’s an abundance of cafés serving excellent coffee, delicious ice cream and gelati, and restaurants featuring fresh local seafood, locally-grown produce and vegetarian/vegan options.
Check out the walking tracks from the Wharf to Spencer Park and from the Bridge to Top Lake for spectacular water views.
Whales migrate past Merimbula each year, feeding and frolicking in the Bay, making it easy to watch whales from onboard a boat or from the beach.
Merimbula is a great place to holiday and is the perfect base for exploring the many towns and villages of the far south coast, including Tathra, Kalaru, and Tura Beach.
When thinking of Bega, one word comes to mind – Cheese!!
Bega is famous for its cheese – the Bega Cheese Co-op is one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of dairy products, exporting more than $1.2 billion worth of products annually.
The Bega Cheese Heritage Centre is open from 9am most days and offers visitors the chance to sample their world famous cheese and to learn about the history of dairying. The Heritage Centre is also home to the Bega Visitors Information Centre. It’s worth the visit.
The town has a rich history, with many historic buildings and landmarks, including the Bega Court House and the Bega War Memorial.
Delve deeper into the history of Bega by visiting the Bega Pioneers Museum. The Bega Valley Historical Society manages the museum and houses the largest pioneer portrait gallery in NSW.
Take a walk along the Bega River Walungari Trail. The track takes you from town, down along the Bega River and through several recreation areas.
Bega is an art lovers’ haven with several galleries, including Spiral Gallery, SECCA, and The Spotted Cow Gallery, hosting exhibitions and displaying the creative works of emerging and established local artists.
Find fresh seasonal produce, locally made food, seedlings, fresh flowers and more at the Bega Produce Markets, held every Friday morning in Littleton Gardens.
Cobargo is located half an hour north of Bega, amid green pastures rolling away to regenerating forested hills. The village was established with a Post Office, general store, school, hotel, church and blacksmith during the 1870s around the butter and cheese-making industries.
In the 1860s, Cobargo was known as Wattletown, as bark stripped from local wattle trees was shipped to Sydney and Melbourne to be used in the tanning industry. A Butter Factory and Co-op were established in 1901 and continued production until 1980, when it closed because of changes in bulk milk production.
The Cobargo District Museum Inc. is a treasure trove of local history, where you’ll find items from the past, including photos, machinery, clothing and tools. The volunteers are happy to assist anyone researching a local family connection.
Hundreds of festival goers flock to Cobargo for Cobargo Folk Festival every year. The festival is an eclectic mix of local and national performing artists. Established in 1996, it has become one of Australia’s best-loved village festivals.
Cobargo businesses that lost their premises in the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires can be found at the Cobargo Innovation Hub. Constructed from sustainable materials, the Cobargo Innovation Hub is a big step forward in the village’s recovery process.
Bermagui is surrounded by pristine beaches, lakes and bushland. Water activities including surfing, swimming, snorkelling, boating, kayaking, SUP and fishing charters are all available in this picturesque town.
If you’d prefer to stick to the shore, throw in a line from the beach, rocks or along the Bermagui River.
Don’t miss a swim in the beautiful Blue Pool, set on the edge of the ocean at the base of the cliffs off Pacific Drive. It’s rated in the top 10% of worldwide attractions.
Try out the 18 hole golf course, hit a ball around the tennis courts or play bowls or croquet at the Bermagui Country Club.
Bermagui has its very own Art Trail; – Shop7 Art Space is at the Fishermen’s Wharf.
Bermagui Mudworks and Grimm-Hewitt Studio/Gallery are located just south of town. Grimm-Hewitt Studio/Gallery is open by appointment only.
Take a stroll through the Fishermen’s Wharf complex, with its retail outlets, galleries, restaurants and cafés and watch the boats coming in and out of the marina.
Close to Bermagui, Wallaga Lake is one of the largest coastal lakes in NSW, an area of outstanding natural beauty with special significance for local indigenous people.
Montreal Goldfield at Wallaga Lake is Australia’s only Goldfield that goes to the sea and has guided tours Wednesday to Sunday. Check the Goldfields Facebook page for opening times.
Set amongst rolling green hills along the base of Gulaga Mountain (often called Mount Dromedary), you’ll find the historic villages of Tilba Tilba and Central Tilba.
Dairy farmers started flocking to the Tilba areas in the 1800’s. The rich volcanic soil around the mountain created the perfect conditions for farming. When gold was discovered in the area, a boom hit the villages until the late 1900’s.
In the 1970s, the National Trust classified the Tilba District as a place of historic and special aesthetic significance and established the Tilba Conservation Area.
Today, Central Tilba is best known for its unique selection of shops lining the main street, including the old-fashioned lolly shop and Tilba Leather store.
The Dromedary Hotel is a must for pubgoers, with a selection of cold drinks and delicious meals on offer. Head to Tilba Valley Wine & Ale House, enjoy live music (check the website for times), and relax in the tranquil bush setting.
Are you feeling energetic? Why not try the Gulaga Mountain track walk? This 14km trail takes you up the mountain along the path originally built for the gold miners. Gulaga Mountain is known as Mother Mountain by the Yuin people and is a site of great spiritual significance to the land’s traditional owners.
The Bellbrook Farm loop walk is a 2km scenic walk along the mountain’s base. The loop is a great way to take in the views of the lush landscape.
Take a walking tour around the villages with Tilba Walks Heritage Talks and experience Tilba in a new light. Visit www.tilbatalks.com.au for a full list of tours available.
Nestled between the ocean and the startling blue-green waters of Wagonga Inlet is the town of Narooma, famous for its chilled vibe, natural beauty and oysters.
Wagonga Inlet is home to a wide variety of marine life and is a popular spot for fishing, boating, kayaking and a great place to stop for a picnic.
Barunguba Montague Island can be found along the Narooma coastline. The island is home to a large colony of fur seals, as well as a variety of seabirds. It is a sacred place for the local Yuin people and there are a number of important sites across the island. Visitors can take a guided tour, snorkel or dive in the surrounding waters.
Narooma is also home to several beautiful beaches, including Narooma Bar Beach and Handkerchief Beach.
Along the tourist drive, five minutes away, you will be surrounded by the beautiful scenery and magnificent beaches of Kianga and Dalmeny. Kianga Beach is popular amongst surfers and wind surfers while Dalmeny Beach is a great place to swim, surf and paddle board.
You can find many walking and cycling tracks around Narooma including the Narooma-Dalmeny Coast Ride. The track is listed in the Top 3 for NSW in Australian Geographic’s latest guidebook, Australia’s Best 100 Bike Rides.
Golfing enthusiasts should take a swing at Narooma Golf Club, the most scenic club in the region.
Australia Rock and Glasshouse Rocks are a must when visiting Narooma. Australia Rock was formed due to thousands years of erosion or, if you believe the tales, the mooring of a boat with heavy metal chains that caused the hole to form its unusual shape.
BELOVED BODALLA
Bodalla is a delightful village located along the highway, a short drive away from Narooma and Tuross Head. It was established in the 1860s due to dairy farming and cheese production. Australia’s first commercial cheese and first cheese exports were made in Bodalla.
The picturesque All Saints Church is a prominent landmark in the village. The church, built in a Gothic style, was designed by colonial architect Edmund Blacket.
If you stroll up the street from the church, you will find Artisans Nest, a gallery run by local artists and craftspeople. The gallery has an extensive collection of hand-made jewellery, beautiful clothing, art, and leather goods. The nearby Bodalla Pub, established in 1875, has been voted the “Best Pub in Bodalla” and hosts regular music sessions, serving delicious meals in a friendly atmosphere. Bodalla also boasts several specialty stores, two nurseries, a bakery, and cafes.
If you take a nine-kilometre drive from Bodalla, you will reach the quiet hamlet of Potato Point. The region is well-known for its stunning beaches and is one of the best places on the south coast to spot wild emus. You can spend the day swimming, surfing, or relaxing on the white sands.
Moruya is one of the largest towns in the Eurobodalla Shire and is situated on the banks of the Moruya River, just a few kilometres inland from the coast.
Moruya is known for its rich history, this includes supplying granite used to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1920’s. The town was founded in the mid-19th century and has a number of historic buildings.
The Moruya River is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and kayaking.
Visit the Historic Quarry Park, located along the river, to learn more about the history of the area, take a walk along the boardwalk, have a picnic or try your luck at fishing.
Scenic flights are available at Moruya Airport and for the thrill-seekers, skydiving!
Take a 5-minute dive to Moruya Heads and visit the lookout. Why not pack a picnic and spend the day at Shelly Beach? Shelly Beach is a great spot for surfing, fishing and a great place to stretch your legs.
There are many walking tracks in the area including the Binji Dreaming Track, which wanders through Congo to Tuross Head. The 14km scenic walk follows in the footsteps of the Brinja-Yuin people.
Moruya is home to a variety of stores, coffee shops, restaurants and the famous Moruya Country Markets. The markets are held on Saturdays and offer a wide range of fresh produce, local arts, crafts, and other specialty goods.
Art lovers need to visit The Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre. The BAS (as its more commonly known) is the Eurobodalla’s first purpose-built exhibition and arts space which adjoins the Moruya Library. The BAS showcases local and touring exhibitions as well as providing a diverse range of arts programming.
The village of Mogo was established after the discovery of gold in the early 1850’s.
In the early days, Mogo was a thriving town of hotels, shops and churches.
Today, Mogo is known for its great range of specialty stores.
There are potteries, galleries, antique stores, nurseries, lolly shops and cafés, many of which specialise in unusual and interesting items.
The jewellery studio, Juela Mogo, is renowned for creating unique jewellery pieces on-site and stocks an exclusive range of jewellery from Australian and international designers.
Amanda’s of Mogo is an art and craft supply store every artist dreams about. Amanda’s has all the crafting supplies needed to create a masterpiece.
Antique and collectables stores, including Mogo Collective, are treasure troves filled with unique finds.
A major draw-card to the area is Mogo Wildlife Park. The park is open from 9am-4pm daily and is home to Australia’s most diverse collection of exotic wildlife.
If you take a five-minute drive north of Mogo, you can stop, unwind and reset at Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens. Walk through the gardens and head into the Visitor Information Centre to learn more about the area.
Take a drive along Tomakin Road and visit the stunning beaches near Tomakin, Mossy Point, Broulee and Malua Bay.
The town has been hit hard over the years, first by devastating bushfires, then floods, Covid and more floods. The Mogo community is bouncing back and is a vibrant, thriving village once again.
Batemans Bay is the regional centre of the Eurobodalla and a major tourist destination that draws visitors from all over Australia for its natural beauty and city-like vibe with country-town values.
Situated on the banks of the magnificent Clyde River, water is deeply ingrained in the culture of ‘the Bay’. Swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, surfing and diving are within easy reach of town.
The Batemans Bay Bridge is the latest addition to the town and has made a huge difference to traffic flow. A walking and bike track has been added to the bridge, connecting the northern suburbs to the city centre.
Stroll along the Mia Murra Walk or grab the camera and set out along the Batemans Bay Sculpture Walk.
Batemans Bay is famous for its Clyde River oysters, and there are plenty of cafés, restaurants, hotels and clubs offering local seafood on the menu.
You can shop up a storm in the Bay, with two major shopping centres and specialty stores lining the main streets.
Take a ten minute drive out of town and you’ll find yourself in the sleepy hamlet of Batehaven. Here you’ll find a small shopping hub, cafés, takeaways and a huge playground designed for kids young and old. Continue along the road to Corrigans Cove, Sunshine Beach and Surf Beach – a local hot-spot and a great place to practice catching waves.
The Bay and its surrounding regions are great destinations for families, with its array of outdoor activities and attractions such as the animal park and the Bay Pavilions Art and Aquatic Centre.
