Stretching over 100km north from the Victorian border, the Sapphire Coast of NSW has a lot to see and do. Here are simply seven to provide you a style of this glorious area.
From its well-known Oyster Trail and excellent vary of eating places to a really beautiful shoreline, the Sapphire Coast—so named for the fantastic color of its waters slightly than the gemstone—has a lot to supply.
Our latest journey to this under-valued area confirmed us that even inside Australia’s most populous state, there are nonetheless locations many people have by no means been to or even perhaps heard of.
Check out our video of the superb issues you are able to do on the Sapphire Coast:
And even with well-known cities like Bega (of Aussie cheese fame) or Eden (the favored coastal city and cruise port) throughout the Sapphire Coast’s realm, this precise halfway level between Melbourne and Sydney will get ignored.
And let’s not overlook the oysters.
The Sapphire Coast is dwelling to the good focus of the best Sydney Sydney rock oyster farms within the nation. Reason in itself to get to the Sapphire Coast by itself!
But listed below are some extra:
1. Fresh oysters straight from the lease
Did you realize Sydney rock oysters are Australia’s solely native rock oyster? They’re additionally below risk of being out-competed by different species just like the Pacific oyster—an launched selection from Japan.
Visiting locations like Broadwater Oysters in Pambula affords the distinctive expertise of studying to shuck your personal oysters proper on the shores of Pambula Lake the place they develop in abundance.
You can discover out extra right here.
2. Dining
All the meals within the Sapphire Coast is unimaginable. Even the native curry home is value visiting; the Cafe Tandoori Indian restaurant in Pambula is so good it’s ignited a facet mission in me to discover extra regional curry spots!
– Right on the waters of Merimbula Lake, Valentina serves lovely predominantly seafood dishes and infrequently does particular occasions like their ‘Eau de Terroir’ oysters and wine degustation. You can learn extra about that right here.
– Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant in Pambula, which has been right here in a single type or one other for over 100 years and in addition has its personal oyster farm, is a must-visit. Our full evaluate right here of Wheeler’s explains why, however primarily the meals, service and atmosphere right here is fantastic.
– High above the historic Merimbula Wharf, which appears out throughout the Merimbula Lake inlet and the city’s major seaside, the Wharf Restaurant & Aquarium matches its unparalleled views with flawlessly healthful and hearty seafood dishes.
And when you’re sated, a mooch by means of the adjoining aquarium downstairs exhibits you a few of what’s swimming in your view (however by no means on the menu!) upstairs.
Check out our write-up right here.
– A particular point out also needs to go to Dulcie’s Cottage and Kitty’s Bar, each in Merimbula. We didn’t handle to go to these two as a result of they had been below refurb, however everybody’s been telling us how good they’re.
3. Pubs, breweries and distilleries
– Longstocking Brewery and Oyster Bar in Pambula not solely makes its personal beers on-site (I might drink their pale ale all day!) but in addition tasty wood-fired pizzas. This chill venue typically has reside music and is a part of Oaklands Barn, a co-operative with outlets, bakeries, cafes, a barber’s in an previous double decker bus.
Here’s extra about Longstocking and Oaklands.
– Half an hour north is the Tathra Hotel and Brewery, a wonderful previous constructing perched on the cliffs searching on the ocean from its headland. Service right here is fantastic, as is the meals and beer.
– Northwest of Tathra within the little village of Stony Creek is North of Eden Distillery. Famous for its ground-breaking Oyster Shell Gin, this craft distillery does have a small cellar door you possibly can go to for a tasting. Make positive you e book forward although.
4. Pinnacles Loop Walk, Pambula
With such a wonderful, rugged shoreline, this area is made for bushwalks with a view. The beach-line between Pambula and Eden is a part of the Beowa National Park and has some nice strolling trails.
The Pinnacles Loop Walk is a reasonably simple 1.1km loop that takes you right down to the Pinnacles—a putting cliff face of white sand and pink gravel clay.
5. Long Point Lookout, Bar Beach and Middle Beach in Merimbula
Thanks to its complicated shoreline, Merimbula has plenty of peninsulas and promontories value exploring.
Long Point Lookout is a stunning stroll that takes you thru a tea tree forest out to the tip of the headland. It’s a straightforward 2km return stroll that’s additionally appropriate for wheelchair customers with some help.
From the lookout, you possibly can see right down to Middle Beach and as you go, you possibly can see throughout to Main Beach too. This is the proper alternative to stroll off a giant lunch on the Wharf Restaurant simply up the highway and close to lovely Bar Beach.
6. Eden’s sea pool
Aslings Beach Rock Pool, on the southernmost level of Aslings Beach fairly near city, is presumably essentially the most lovely sea pool we’ve ever seen. Yes, that features Icebergs, sorry Bondi.
Shallow, secluded and butted towards the pink layers of the traditional cliff rock face, the pool ripples gently with every wave that washes recent seawater in.
I’m positive there’s a better solution to get to it, however with the tide nonetheless excessive, we needed to scramble up and over a craggy rock to the pool. Well value it although.
7. Pamboola Wetlands
Just off the principle drag by means of city (truly the Princes Highway), the Pamboola Wetlands is a 202-acre sanctuary the place paths and chook hides thread by means of ponds, billabongs, swamps and mangroves.
Once an historical floodplain and a favorite looking floor of the Thaua People of the Yuin Nation, the Wetlands had been become farmlands, then the unique website of Pambula city, then from 1897-1997 it was a racecourse.
It’s now an enormous expanse of estuarine and freshwater wetlands, dwelling to endangered birds, mammals and marine life which you could discover at will with as a lot or as little time as it’s important to hand. And you could possibly simply spend all day right here.
