Sapphire Coast

SAPPHIRE COAST - SUMMER 2024 3 A sparkling Sapphire Acknowledgement of Country We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the lands on which we work, and pay our respects to Indigenous Elders past, present and emerging. From the turquoise ocean and bustling forest waterfalls, to serene lakes and rivers, the wonders of the beautiful NSW Sapphire Coast seem to sparkle even more in summer. With a vast coastline, pristine beaches, ancient forests and colourful towns, the Sapphire Coast offers you a seemingly endless array of summer activities and sightseeing options. So, before you head to the sparkling Sapphire, it pays to plan ahead – and this summer edition of the quarterly Sapphire Coast feature is designed to help you do just that. The adjacent map shows the extent of the Sapphire Coast region, with Womboyn and Eden in the south, to Bermagui in the north, encompassing numerous coastal and inland towns, national parks, forests and nature reserves. There's a lot to take in, so to help you gain an understanding of the Coast's key towns and attractions, here's a quick overview... Eden If you're travelling from the south, about 30 kilometres from Eden you'll see the turn-off to Wonboyn – a wilderness area with a large lake and untouched coastal beaches where dingos, dolphins and deserted sand hills can all be discovered. Positioned between two state forests – and with a permanent population of just 130 people – Wonboyn, is renowned for its natural seclusion, fine lake, beach and game-based fishing, as well as camping, birdwatching and bushwalking. Despite being quite remote, Wonboyn has a local store, boat ramp, picnic areas, and a variety of accommodation options. Once you arrive in Eden, you'll soon discover that it's a town steeped in the tradition of the sea. Famed for its abundant supply of fresh seafood, the deep-sea port offers bay cruising, fishing charters and diving year round. The story of Eden's whaling heritage is told at the fascinating Eden Killer Whale Museum. Eden is also a launching pad for scenic drives into the wonderful wilderness of the Mt Imlay and Beowa National Parks. Pambula and Merimbula The colourful coastal areas of Pambula and Merimbula offer amazing beaches, spectacular hinterlands, fabulous shopping and countless leisure opportunities in close proximity. The towns have plenty to offer, from swimming, surfing, sailing, diving and fishing, to bushwalking, camping, birdwatching and just plain 'gettingaway-from-it-all' in the nearby national parks. In Pambula, you can learn about local indigenous history on a cruise along the Pambula River, chill out on pristine beaches, wander country markets, or explore the historical Pambula village, which offers arts, crafts and shopping options. In Merimbula, you can explore the aquarium in the old wharf building and enjoy a variety of local restaurants, cafés and attractions. Inland: Bega, Candelo, Bemboka and Cobargo Best known for its dairy products, Bega is the commercial and business centre of the Sapphire Coast. It is surrounded by lovely, rolling green pasture land. Popular attractions include the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre, and the region's numerous local wineries. Southwest of Bega is Candelo, a charming, historic small town that holds a country market on the first Sunday of every month, full of local produce and country atmosphere. A short drive west of Bega, you'll find Bemboka, a small rural town with a fascinating farm called Ryefield Hops, which runs guided visitor tours of its fields of hops and sunflowers (see Page 20 for more information). Further north, inland from Bermagui, is the historic town of Cobargo, which features a streetscape of glorious old 19th-Century buildings. Here you can stop and marvel at the talents of local craftspeople and artists selling a range of unique hand-crafted items, from woodcraft and pottery, to leather and artworks. Nearby, set among green pastures, rolling hills and the towering eucalyptus, is Brogo Dam, where you can take a leisurely paddle in a canoe or kayak, or fish for bass. Tathra Set in unspoilt surrounds, Tathra has a wonderful three-kilometre surf beach that's adored by surfers and sightseers alike. The Tathra Wharf is a National Trust-classified building, a popular fishing spot and also houses an historic Maritime Museum. Dive sites and snorkelling in and around Tathra are spectacular, with striking coral and underwater caves. The coastal lagoons, rugged coastlines and secluded beaches of Bournda and Mimosa Rocks National Parks provide accessible coastal wilderness for exploring. Bermagui Located at the northern end of the Sapphire Coast, Bermagui is a small coastal town surrounded by secluded surf beaches, estuaries, wetlands, coastal lagoons and national parks. It is also well known as a launching pad for deepsea diving and game fishing, and a a place to enjoy fine fresh seafood. For those who love saltwater swimming, but don't like wrestling with the surf and currents, Bermagui's oceanside Blue Pool is also a major drawcard. Find out more For some extra advice while you're out and about, be sure to stop by the visitor information centres that are dotted throughout the region– and listed on page 27 of this edition. We hope you enjoy your summer travels on the beautiful Sapphire Coast Whether you’re snorkelling, swimming, or just strolling, the Sapphire Coast’s sparkling waters are especially irresistible in summer. This is Main Beach, Merimbula. RED POINT TASMAN SEA TASMAN SEA TWOFOLD BAY LENNARDS ISLAND TURA BEACH MOWARRY POINT GREEN CAPE BITTANGABEE BAY SALTWATER BAY WONBOYN BEACH DISASTER BAY THE PINNACLES TURA HEAD BARONDA HEAD PICNIC POINT MURRAH HEAD NELSON BEACH WAJURDA POINT NORTH HEAD TURINGAL HEAD PRINCES HWY PRINCES HWY MT DARRAGH RD MT DARRAGH RD BACK CREEK RD NETHERCOTE RD PRINCES HWY MYRTLE MOUNTAIN RD CANDELO RD PRINCES HWY PRINCES HWY PRINCES HWY SAPPHIRE COAST RD CANDELO WOLUMLA RD MOGILLA RD MOGILLA RD BEGA TATHRA RD SNOWY MOUNTAINS HWY SNOWY MOUNTAINS HWY PRINCES HWY PRINCES HWY PRINCES HWY PRINCES HWY TATHRA BERMAGUI R D TATHRA BERMAGUI RD WALLAGA LAKE RD KAMERUKA RD MERIMBULA NORTH BEGA BERMAGUI CANDELO COBARGO WALLAGA LAKE WYNDHAM WOLUMLA TOWAMBA NETHERCOTE BOYDTOWN WONBOYN LAKE MT IMLAY NATIONAL PARK NULLICA STATE FOREST TOWAMBA STATE FOREST EAST BOYD STATE FOREST NADGEE STATE FOREST GNUPA STATE FOREST YURAMMIE STATE FOREST MUMBULLA STATE FOREST MURRAH STATE FOREST MIMOSA ROCKS NATIONAL PARK BIAMANGA STATE FOREST WADBILLIGA NATIONAL PARK BERMAGUI STATE FOREST WANDELLA STATE FOREST BOURNDA NATURE RESERVE EDEN PAMBULA BEOWA NATIONAL PARK BOURNDA NATIONAL PARK Scan here for full detailed maps EDEN PAMBULA MERIMBULA BEGA BERMAGUI EAST GIPPSLAND TO 18kms 25kms 19kms 7 kms 44kms TATHRA TATHRA

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