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Twin capitals of New South Wales’ far south-east, the towns of Merimbula and Eden bookend a glittering stretch of coast famed for its fine beaches, polychromatic cliffs, eco-rich wetlands, and towering old-growth forests.
Getting there takes a bit of effort, but it’s well worth it. The drive from Sydney will take you just on six hours, while from Canberra it’s a more manageable three. Alternatively, you can fly to the region from the NSW capital and Melbourne, but you’ll need a car when you get there to see the very best of what is aptly named the Sapphire Coast. It’s undoubtedly one of the finest jewels in Australia’s littoral crown!
How long should you stay? That’s best rephrased as ‘how long do you have?’ This part of the world demands a relaxed pace of exploration with plenty of time set aside simply to be in the moment with whatever natural treasure lies before you. Don’t rush it.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Merimbula and Eden. Enjoy!
1. Swim in sapphire seas
With waters that shine in every shade of blue from cobalt to cornflower, this stretch of coastline fully deserves its gem of a title. And the vivid blues are only intensified by contrasting white sands and wine-red rock formations. In terms of great places to swim, Merimbula’s Main Beach is a classic surf break, whereas west-facing Bar Beach offers more sheltered water. Aslings Beach at Eden has a delightful rock pool at its southern end, as well as a whale-watching platform.
You may also want to seek out secluded swimming spots in Beowa National Park (formerly Ben Boyd National Park), such as rocky Bittangabee Bay and Mowarry Beach (with its natural ‘infinity pool’). As always, take extreme care if you choose to swim at unpatrolled beaches.
2. Explore a pristine inland waterworld
Shadowing this wondrous oceanfront, the landscape between Merimbula and Eden is threaded by lakes and estuaries that support a rich variety of aquatic life. From Merimbula Lake in the north, past Pambula Lake and Lake Curalo to Wonboyn Lake in the south, oyster farms abound in these clear waters — which also provide ideal conditions for boating, fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and birdwatching. While all these waterways have a serene charm, Pambula River Mouth is outstandingly beautiful.
3. Sample unrivalled Sydney rock oysters
Native Sydney rock oysters are plump morsels of deliciousness that have been feeding this region’s inhabitants for thousands of years. They are now at the centre of a thriving gastronomic industry that takes full advantage of the unique ‘merroirs’ created by differing water and soil conditions in each waterway. Create your own oyster itinerary by self-driving from lake to lake, or book an educational — and delectable — two-hour cruise on Pambula Lake with Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tour. Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant can meet all your tide-to-table needs, with fresh Merimbula Lake oysters available both to eat in and take away.
4. Meander by Merimbula Lake
For all ages and all abilities access to Merimbula’s estuarine shoreline, follow the Boardwalk at Top Lake. This 3.4-kilometre return walk is an easy and scenic way to gain an appreciation for the area’s tidal ecology. Fringed by tall eucalypts and tangled mangroves, the clear lake reflects the changing colours of the sky. Fish can be glimpsed darting about underwater, while birds skim the surface hoping for a takeaway treat. Punctuate your walk with coffee or a light meal at Sunny’s Kiosk — a boathouse-style cafe where you’ll find kayaks, pedal boats, and SUPs for hire.
5. Taste locally crafted beers
Want to try a world of beer flavours without leaving the South Coast? You can at Longstocking Brewery, which has a global vision. Located at Pambula, just south of Merimbula on the road to Eden, this microbrewery’s offerings include a crisp Germanic lager, a full-flavoured American-style IPA, a dark and malty Irish stout, and a mid-strength Sapphire Coast Ale — all of which are brewed onsite. Balance your beers with tasty treats from the oyster bar and wood-fired pizza oven.
6. Visit a makers’ mecca
The historic village of Pambula is a powerhouse of creative energy. Operating under the banner ‘Life’s short — choose beautiful’, art-and-homewares store Black Daisy Trading presents a gorgeously curated display of work by local artisans and has an attached cafe as appealing as the store itself. From there, swing by Artessence Gallery to browse the work of regional painters and ceramicists. Pambula also hosts an impressive array of nineteenth-century buildings, one of which — the heritage-listed Old Bank — is now home to the fine dining Banksia Restaurant.
7. Take a peek at The Pinnacles
Twenty-five million years ago, nature clearly had fun sculpting the coastal geological fantasy known as The Pinnacles. Geologists calls it an ‘erosion feature’; to the untrained eye, it looks like a cross between a layer cake and a gothic cathedral. Red clay and white sand create spectacular stripes in the exposed rock face, which is decorated with natural stone spires and buttresses. It’s all best seen from the Pinnacles Loop Walking Track — an easy 1.1-kilometre coastal trail.
8. Learn about Eden’s past
Crammed with artefacts and anecdotes from the Sapphire Coast’s rich history, Eden Killer Whale Museum is everything a regional museum should be. This fascinating facility’s most famous exhibit is the huge skeleton of an orca (killer whale) known as ‘Old Tom’. Eden served as a whaling port from the 1820s through to 1930, and you’ll learn of the strange bond that existed between local whalers and orcas — the latter assisting boats to locate their quarry. The wider maritime, pioneering, and tourism history of the town is also well told. This is not to be missed.
9. Watch for whales
Although whaling hasn’t been practised in Eden for well over a century, the town’s association with the mighty marine mammals has continued — albeit in a more peaceful form. Humpback whales use the deep, nutrient-rich waters of Twofold Bay as a food bowl and resting ground during their annual return migration from Antarctica to the tropical waters off Queensland’s north coast. From May to November, visitors have plenty of options to go whale watching — both on the water and from land-based vantages. The town also hosts an annual whale festival to celebrate the migration.
10. Hike from Light to Light
And finally, one of the most beautiful extended treks in NSW is yours to do right here. Stretching between two nineteenth-century lighthouses, the 31-kilometre Grade 4 Light to Light Walk in Beowa National Park starts at Boyds Tower near Eden and finishes at Green Cape Lighthouse — 27 kilometres from the Victorian border. It offers peaceful forest immersion, spectacular cliff and ocean views, and plentiful opportunities for spotting wildlife — both on and offshore (keep an eye out for whales, dolphins, seals, goannas, kangaroos, lyrebirds, and sea eagles).
The Light to Light is best spread over three days; you can hike independently (staying overnight in national park campgrounds) or do a deluxe fully guided and accommodated walking tour with the Sapphire Coast Guiding Company.
For more travel inspiration, visit www.escapetomerimbula.com.au.
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Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of the top things to do in Merimbula and Eden? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.
Additional images: Depositphotos
About the writer
Roslyn Jolly is a freelance travel writer whose work has appeared in Escape (News Limited), Mindful Puzzles, Vacations and Travel, and Mindfood. In her former career as an English Literature academic, she studied and taught the work of great travel writers, such as Henry James, Herman Melville and Robert Louis Stevenson, and became fascinated by the history of travel and tourism. Two years at school in Wales and three years at university in England allowed Roslyn to travel extensively in Europe and North America, which she continues to do.
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