Bodalla

Highlights

Bodalla's dairy legacy

Thomas Sutcliffe Mort was a prominent 19th-century businessman and industrialist who revolutionised the wool industry and pioneered meat refrigeration before turning his hand to dairy. He established Bodalla Estate in 1860 and the region quickly grew to be the centre of the Australian dairy industry. Stroll through the Bodalla Heritage Area to see the grand buildings that still stand from its heyday. Look out for the Gothic-style All Saints Church, designed by colonial architect Edmund Blacket who also designed the University of Sydney and St Andrew's Cathedral.

Old stone fireplace inside the family owned dairy business in Bodalla - Credit: Bodalla Dairy Shed

Bodalla Dairy, Bodalla - Credit: Bodalla Dairy Shed

Bodalla Dairy produces living milk using the age-old tradition of gentle pasteurisation. It's hand bottled and on the shelf just hours after the cow was milked. You can watch them turn it into yoghurt, cheese and ice cream in the factory, then taste the results in the cafe. The kids will love the animal farmyard with chickens, alpacas and Billy the Goat, and they can even bottle feed the calves at 10am or 4pm. Spend the night in the cosy Bodalla Dairy Shed Guest Rooms.

Street view of the Dairy Shed in Bodalla - Credit: Eurobodalla Shire Council

Bodalla Heritage Area, Bodalla - Credit: Eurobodalla Shire Council

Things to do

Spend the day swimming, surfing or relaxing on white sands at Potato Point, a 10-minute drive from Bodalla. This pretty spot also has great snorkelling – you could encounter wobbegongs, Port Jackson sharks and stingrays. The rocky reefs and sandy gutters also contain sea squirts and sea urchins. The southern side of the point is more exposed and conditions can be dangerous. Other blissful beaches include Brou Beach at Dalmeny, Josh's Beach and Yabbara Beach.

Scenic view of the coastline at Potato Point in Eurobodalla - Credit: Eurobodalla Shire Council

Potato Point, Eurobodalla - Credit: Eurobodalla Shire Council

Kayaking on the Lower Tuross River and Borang Lake is popular; if you are going to do the full 17km circumnavigation of the lake, be sure take a map. A 10-minute drive east is the spectacular Eurobodalla National Park, which is great for camping, bushwalking, surfing, whale watching and fishing. It stretches from Moruya Heads in the north to Mystery Bay in the south. You can also take a day trip to Montague Island from nearby Narooma.

Tuross Lake, Tuross Head

Eat, drink & shop

Drop in for a meal and a drink at the historic Bodalla Pub. Established in 1877, the current building dates back to 1910. Malt Man Brewing is a small craft brewery serving freshly brewed beers, wines and spirits in their sunny, dog-friendly courtyard. Bodalla General specialises in classic pies and cakes, while Nonno's Garden is a cute nursery and cafe. Pick up a piece of local artwork at Gallery Bodalla or a vintage treasure at Not a Bad Shop.

View of Bodalla General storefront from the street, Bodalla - Credit: Eurobodalla Shire Council

Bodalla General, Bodalla - Credit: Eurobodalla Shire Council

Getting there

The drive from Sydney to Bodalla takes four hours and 40 minutes and it's just under three hours from Canberra. You can also fly to Moruya Airport, 25 minutes away, and rent a car to explore the region. Regional Express operates flights from Sydney to Moruya seven days a week, either direct or travelling via Merimbula.