Tathra
Tathra is the next main town south of Bermagui and it’s another pocket of paradise along the Sapphire Coast.
Anyone who loves the outdoors must-visit Tathra. This small town offers amazing beaches, hiking trails, snorkeling spots, and even mountain bike trails.
Local Beaches & Things to do in Tathra
Tathra Beach is massive & located right in the heart of town. Along with shops, restaurants & accommodation. Making it easy to walk nearly anywhere in town.
The beach is also patrolled by surf life-saving during the summer months.
Only a short drive from town is Kianinny Bay. The bay is an active boat launching ramp so some signs would advise against swimming here.
Although, I’ve always seen people swimming in Kianinny Bay, just make sure you’re aware of your surroundings as boats do come & go.
The best time to go swimming in Kianinny Bay is during high tide & make sure you bring your snorkeling gear. It’s home to local Stingrays and it’s insane how big some of these beauties are!
There’s also heaps of car parking at Kianinny Bay, public toilets, plus playground & picnic area.
One of the other great outdoor activities in Tathra is hiking. There are a number of trails that vary in length and difficulty.
Tathra Headland
Tathra Coastline Walk
Wharf to Wharf (27km)
Kangarutha Walking Track
Blueberry Ash Track
That’s just to name a few trails and if you’d like more information, click here to check out the Visit Tathra website.
For those up for a challenge and who love incredible viewpoints and hidden beaches, definitely do the 9km Kangarutha Walking Track. It starts at Kianinny Bay and finished at Wallagoot Lake.
And keep your eyes peeled for some Australian wildlife, I was pleasantly surprised when we saw an Echidna on the side of the trail.
The Tathra Wharf is definitely a local icon! It’s the only deep-sea timber wharf on the east coast of Australia and it’s been there since 1862.
There’s a museum inside the Wharf that displays the Maritime history and the Wharf is also a popular fishing spot for locals.
Places to Eat and Drink in Tathra
Of course, the ultimate guide to the Sapphire Coast needs to include all the best pubs and like Bermagui, Tathra Hotel should be on every visitor’s list!
The Tathra Hotel is a heritage-listed building and it’s located perfectly on top of a hill so the ocean views are insane.
The menu is full of fresh and delicious meals, (definitely isn’t the cheapest place to eat) and there are quite a few Vegan & Vegetarian options.
And, the Hotel is also home to the Humpback Brewery. Which is a craft beer and there are so many options on tap.
The Wild Orchid Cafe which is along the main street (Andy Poole Dr) in Tathra is a great option for lunch or breakfast. The menu is full of wholesome ingredients and there is also a large selection of freshly made juices and smoothies.
And, of course, no seaside town would be complete without a local bakery serving freshly made rolls, pies & pastries! The Tathra Bakery and Cafe is only a short walk from the patrolled end of Tathra Beach.
Tathra Accommodation
Tathra has awesome accommodation options for all. Big caravan parks, holiday home rentals, and secluded camping sites. I will link to recommended ones below;
BIG4 Tathra Beach Holiday Park
Vrbo “Holiday Retreat – The best of both worlds” 3 Bedrooms
Merimbula
Merimbula is one of the bigger towns along the South Coast of NSW, and also where the only airport is located (I’ll add details about that below).
But this doesn’t mean Merimbula is missing that small-town vibe like the rest of the Sapphire Coast. There are generally more tourists around and due to this, there’s more variety available in cafes, restaurants & accommodation.
Local Beaches & Things to do in Merimbula
Merimbula’s main beach isn’t right in the center of town like most others are. It is actually closer to the airport and on the opposite side of the river. This long stretch of beach is patrolled during the summer months and if you were to head south down the beach you will end up on Pambula’s main beach. And like many other beautiful spots along the Sapphire Coast, this beach will never be overcrowded.
Bar Beach is a smaller beach on Merimbula Lake. There aren’t any waves so it’s a much more relaxing place for a swim and the clear, blue water makes it a true paradise along the NSW South Coast.
Also, behind the beach is Bar Beach Kiosk and it’s open every morning from September through to May.
Do you love seafood? Oyster farming is a big deal in this area of the south coast. The Oysters are grown on Merimbula Lake & service the whole region. And, a couple of the best places to try these oysters for yourself is at Merimbula Fresh Seafoods & Merimbula Aquarium & Wharf Restaurant.
Other Things to do in Merimbula
The Merimbula Boardwalk is perfect for a leisurely stroll. There isn’t a whole lot of coverage though so it can get pretty hot on a sunny day. Along the walk, you’ll see just how massive the local Oyster Farm is and if you visit during low tide take a look at the sand below & you might see an army of little blue crabs crawling along.
There’s a car park for the boardwalk just off Lakewood Drive.
Magic Mountain is a small theme park that’s a lot of fun, particularly if traveling with kids. The park isn’t open all year round so make sure you check their website prior to visiting.
Whale Watching tours depart from the Public Jetty on Market st in Merimbula
And this is such an incredible experience. Humpback Whales can be seen from the Sapphire Coast from September to early December. And during these tours, it’s likely that seals & dolphins may also be spotted.
If Whale Watching is out of your budget, I would recommend heading up to the Long Point Lookout, as this offers a great viewpoint of the coast and you may see the whales swimming and breaching offshore.
Places to Eat and Drink in Merimbula
The waterfront Cafe is perfectly positioned in the heart of Merimbula, and with seating by the water, it has a very relaxing feel. Ideal for even just a coffee.
Merimbula RSL Club is a local favorite and is always reliable for a good pub-style meal. They also have a courtesy bus that can pick you up from your accommodation if you plan on drinking.
Bunga Raya is a Malaysian restaurant that is down one of the side alleys off the main street. The menu offers Vegan options and although I personally found the service slightly slow, the food was delicious.