Merimbula & Sapphire Coast

The allure of the Sapphire Coast is in its sparkling beaches, bays, lakes, cliffs, caves and national parks – all accessible via excellent walking tracks and coastal drives.

The region is renowned for deep-sea fishing off Bermagui, whale watching at Eden, award-winning cheeses at Bega, national parks ringing Tathra and a rich Aboriginal cultural heritage around Wallaga Lake. In Merimbula, the town's main assets are water sports of all types, including fishing, swimming, boating, lake cruises, scuba diving, sailboarding and canoeing. Main Beach is ideal for surfing, while Short Point and Tura Beach are backed by tea-trees and banksia trees set among coastal heaths. 

With its forests, lush pastures and a coastline sculpted into a succession of wonders by the sea, the Sapphire Coast is a perfect holiday destination at any time of the year. Set in a valley at the junction of the Bega and Brogo rivers and surrounded by rich dairy country, Bega is a handsome, historic town that's the rural centre of the Sapphire Coast and gateway to the lush Bega Valley. Visit the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre, housed in a faithful reproduction of the original, tells the story of cheese-making production in the area.

On the coast is Tathra, surrounded by the natural beauty of national parks, beaches and waterways. Mimosa Rocks National Park lies to the north, while to the south is Bournda National Park, home to many seabirds such as the endangered little tern and an abundance of wildlife. Tathra is rich in history and traditions of the sea with Tathra Wharf still a centre of activity today. The only remaining sea wharf on the east coast of Australia, the wharf is a popular fishing spot.