Far South Coast of New South Wales - Day Three

Day Three on our lazy beach holiday to the Sapphire Coast involved lots of lazing around (how good for the soul!) and lots of drinks with pureed mango in them (and gin, but that's another story).

We began the day with coffee at Gloria Jean's on Market Street, Merimbula, followed by a sweltering round of mini golf at Top Fun (99 Main Street, tel: 02-6495 3091), a super-doo circus-tented kiddie Nirvana that presides over town on the top of the hill. They've got ten pin bowling, zone 3 laser game, video and dance games, and even host birthday parties, too.

We then spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool, had fish and chips for dinner, and then ambled around the neighbourhood in the early evening light, taking in the stunning waterways and coastline.

It was fascinating to see the masses of oyster deposits on rocks and low tide, and delight in the cooler sea breezes of early evening.

We finished off our walk a the main beach near our apartment - it was hazy but the vista was beautiful.

As nothing much happened on Day Three, I thought I'd share with you some tips about holidaying in Merimbula in January, so you can make the most of the place if you foolishly decide to go at that time of year. Hopefully these fab finds will help you enjoy it more than we did.

Avoid Woolworths if at all possible – it's jam packed and almost impossible to maneouvre a trolly during January. Head to Merimbula Fresh Food Market for fresh produce, local and imported groceries, deli and dairy instead. Shop 2, 5 Palmer Lane, tel: 02-6495 3833

BOOKtique, Shop 6, The Promenade, tel: 02-6495 1969, is probably THE find of our entire holiday, in total. I LOVED this bookshop. You can even sip coffee there whilst surrounded by books. It's on the main road, so you can sit back and watch all the action, and the owners of the store have done a glorious job in their book selection, particularly kids books. Love.

Another treat is The Lolly Shop, 62 Market Street, tel: 02-6495 2680. The owner is lovely and the range is amazing. This is where I oohed and ahhed over my greatest holiday product find - the time-honoured and rapidly devoured Choo Choo Bar.

If you're in for some rollicking kid fun - a games room, toboggan, grand prix cars, magic carpet slide, waterslides and more, head to Magic Mountain, Sapphire Coast Drive, tel: 02-6495 2299.

There's also Mandeni Family Fun Park, Sapphire Coast Drive, tel: 0403 706 692 and the Merimbula Aquarium at the Wharf looks wonderful, tel: 02-6495 4446.

Lily & Lola’s pre-loved designerwares, shoes, jewellery and clothing is really luscious and there are some great finds within, all at great prices. Shop 3, Merimbula Plaza, tel: 02-6495 4716.

Also check out...

Poppy’s Courtyard Café, Cnr Beach & Alice Sts, Merimbula Plaza, tel: 02-6495 1110

Merimbula Ice Creamery, Hylands Corner Plaza, tel: 02-6495 2311‎

Catch a flick at The Picture Show Man Twin Cinema at 80 Main Street. Call ahead on 02-6495 3744 for session times.

OTHER IDEAS

Hire a bike ~ go walking on coastal tracks ~ fly a kite on the beach ~ visit the Australiasian Pub at Eden for a counter meal; the kids can play on the equipment out the back ~ visit the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre ~ go horse riding at Wolumla ~ go fishing off the jetties around Merimbula Lake and inlet ~ go kayaking ~ go whale watching ~ take a scenic flight ~ visit the Opal and Shell Museum at Bateman’s Bay ~ visit the animals at Potoroo Place ~ pan for gold at the Gold Rush Colony, 26 James Street, Mogo ~ swim at Bermagui’s Blue Pool ~ skateboard at the skateboard parks of Pambula and
Tathra ~ swap pre-read books at the Batehaven Book Exchange ~ go snorkeling… anywhere!

Far South Coast of New South Wales - Day One
Far South Coast of New South Wales - Day Two
Far South Coast of New South Wales - Day Four and Five and Six