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

On Day Four of our Sapphire Coast holiday, we took to the road and headed south to Eden and yes it lives up to its name - the coastline is Godlike.

Seeing this coastline was all the more meaningful, as I was reading Anthony Hill's Captain Cook's Apprentice at the time and it was wonderful to stare into a horizon of yore, imagining The Endeavour streaming up the Pacific coastline, meandering into the stunning range of bays along the way. 

We found the most amazing park right on the headland, overlooking a massive expanse of unbroken ocean, and across the road from the park, we had some keen observers...

And just take a look at this view...

Alas, the barbecue wouldn't work (yet another disappointment in a long line of disappointments) and we had to disband and have lunch in town at the Hotel Australasia.

Afterwards, we headed to back Oaklands Pambula so the kids could so kid things like jump and pony ride. Ah, the delightful simplicities of childhood.

On Day Five of our trip, we explored Merimbula a little more, which is where we found the Lolly Shop (see Day Three).

And then... in the afternoon of our last day, we found the true treasure of Merimbula... Bar Beach.

Located north of the town centre, this incredible treasure failed to reveal itself until it was too late to thoroughly enjoy it - so if you're heading to the Sapphire Coast, please please go there first. The hill above is dotted with amazing houses (perhaps you could holiday in one of them - see Gotta Getaway for holiday rentals on the coast) and the beach below is truly exquisite.

In fact, this find, along with the natural beauty of the coast almost made this trip worthwhile.

With masses of sandy shallows for the kids to explore, a stunning beach, rocks, an alcove of grass to play on, even a little kiosk overlooking the water - it's perfect.

Alas, we didn't have our swimmers with us and it was late in the afternoon and the kids were exhausted and grumpy so we didn't go for a dip.

We instead had a coffee overlooking the stunning views - much to Ella's delight...

Moving right along. On Day Six of our intrepid adventure, we... headed straight home. On the way, we stopped at the lovely and teensy Nimmitabel - a sweet little town tucked right into the foothills of the Snowy Mountains.

They had the best lolly shop and the Nimmitabel Bakery is famous for its amazing selection of pies (yes, we indulged... at both shops).

The Nimmitabel Heritage Walk would be worth a look if you don't have crotchety whippersnappers with you.

On the way home in the car, I perused the map of the coast (I could do this all day long) and was stricken by the amazing coastline from the Victorian Border to Bateman's Bay on the coast of New South Wales. If your family love nature and the kids don't mind a good hike, why not do a national park crawl down the far south coast? Many house fantastic walking tracks, picnic and play areas and impressive views.

Here are the coastal reserves from Bateman’s Bay heading south to the Victorian border, along with their nearby towns.

NATIONAL PARKS
Check with the National Parks & Wildlife Service for attractions, tracks and safe access (Merimbula: 6495 5000, Narooma: 6495 2888).

Mogo State Forest (towns – Malua and Rosedale) Broulee Island Natura Reserve (towns – Tomakin and Broulee)

Eurobodalla National Park (towns – Congo, Tuross Head, Narooma, Mystery Bay)

Montague Island (Barunguba)
Nature Reserve (island off Narooma)

Gulaga National Park (town – Bermagui, including the Bermagui Coastal Walk)
Bermagui Nature Reserve (town – Bermagui)

Mimosa Rocks National Park (beaches, points and tracks – Aragunnu, Picnic Point, Bithry Inlet, Middie Beach, Gillards Beach, Nelson Beach, Wadjurda Point)

Bournda National Park and Nature Reserve (town – Tathra; beaches, points and tracks – Kangarutha Track, Hobart Beach, Bournda Lagoon, North Tura)

Ben Boyd National Park (towns – Pambula, Eden; beaches, points and tracks – Haycock Point, Pinnacles, Boyds Tower, Saltwater Creek, Bittangabee, Light to Light Walk, Green Cape, Bay Cliff, Greenglades, Maxwells Rainforest Walk, Mallacoota Lookout)

Most beaches, points and tracks feature a plethora of camping and picnic areas, as well as established walking tracks and lookouts.

If you have the misfortune of hitting an animal while car touring this fauna-rich part of Australia, be sure to call WIRES (Wildlife Rescue Service) immediately. From Bateman’s Bay to Bermagui, call 0427 020 327 and from Bermagui to Eden, call 6495 4150 (both 24 hours). 

Remember, if you hit a kangaroo (or any other marsupial like possums, wombats and koalas) and the animal does not survive, be sure to check the animal’s pouch for young. 


And one last hurrah while I'm on the Sapphire Coast theme - the area puts on a real show when it comes to the market scene... try to time your visit to take full advantage.

MARKETS
~ Bateman’s Bay Bay Sunday Markets, 1 Museum Place, 1st, 2nd and 4th Sun of the month

~ Bateman’s Bay Coastal Patrol Market, Corrigan’s Park, Batehaven, 1st Sun of the month

~ Bateman’s Bay High School, 3rd Sun of the month

~ Quota Seaside Market, Malua Bay Beach Reserve, 1st Sat of Aug, Oct and Dec

~ Moryua Country Market, Riverside Park, Cnr Shore & Ford Sts, 8am – 1pm, every Sat

~ Narooma Rotary Markets, NATA Oval, off Princes Hwy, 4th Sun of the month Tilba

~ Grower’s Market, Tilba Hall, 8am-12pm, every Sat

~ Bermagui Hand & Homemade Market, Dickinson Park 8am-12.30pm, last Sun of the month

~ Cobargo Market, behind Cobargo Hotel, 9am, last Sat of the month

~ Old Bega Hospital Market, Princes Highway, South Bega, 8.30am-2pm, 2nd Sat of the month

~ Farmer’s Market, Littleton Gardens, 1st & 3rd Fri of the month

~ Wyndham Market, Wyndham Hall, 8.30am-12.30pm, 4th Sun of the month

~ Candelo Markets, Candelo Park Sports Oval & Town Hall, 8.30am-12.30pm, 1st Sun of the month

~ Merimbula Seaside Market & Fair, Ford Oval, 8.30am-12.30pm, 3rd Sunday of the month

~ Merimbula RFS Market, Twyford Hall, 9am-3pm, first Thu & Fri, last Fri & Sat of the month

~ Pambula Rotary Market, Pambula Recreation Grounds, 2nd Sun of the month

~ Pambula Craft Market, corner Monaro & Toalla Sts, 8am-1pm, 2nd Sun of the month

~ Robin Hood Service Club Craft & Collectable Market, Pambula Town Hall, 8am-1pm, 2nd Sun of the month

~ Eden Market, Eden RSL Hall, Calle Street, 8am-1pm, 1st Sat of the month

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 Three