Shining bright in the heart of the Far South Coast, charming Narooma is flanked by the Wagonga River, its sparkling estuary and the vast Pacific Ocean, where Barunguba Montague Island is teeming with wildlife. Just 90 minutes’ journey further south, its equally charming neighbour, Merimbula, offers sun-speckled lakes, a bounty of seafood, laidback-luxe stays and wild natural spaces where unique outdoor adventures await all year round. And whether you have a long weekend or a month to explore the area, combining a visit to both these coastal playgrounds means double the wonders. Here, just a few standout experiences that’ll level up your visit to this unforgettable stretch of the New South Wales coastline.

Top up your Vitamin Sea

With a name meaning “two lakes” in the local Aboriginal language, it’s no surprise water stars in every Merimbula escape. When you’re not rolling out your towel on the 6km Main Beach, snorkelling at Bar Beach or paddling with the family at Spencer Park Beach or jump on your surfboard at Short Point. Visiting in winter? Brace yourself for a frosty dip as the annual WinterSun Festival dares you to try cold-water swims, wharf-to-wharf walks, and more. And you can renew your sense of adventure on the water – at Sunny’s Kiosk you can hire a boat, SUP or kayak to explore Merimbula’s famous 5.6km lake, and book a daytrip with Headland Fishing Charters to land your catch of the day.

Connect with wild seals and whales

Montague Island, which is also known as Barunguba to the local Yuin Aboriginal people, is located 9km off Narooma and one of Australia’s premium eco-tourism destinations. The protected nature reserve is magical and one of the only places in the world to observe whales, fur seals, little penguins and more than 90 bird species. Your guided tour is just a 20-minute boat ride from the Narooma jetty with frolicking dolphins to welcome you along the way. The island is teeming with Australian and New Zealand fur seals to see up close on a snorkelling or scuba diving tour. Whichever depth you decide to go to, swimming with seals on Montague Island is both surreal and awe-inspiring. In Bermagui – a scenic hamlet between Merimbula and Narooma – you can join a Sapphire Coastal Adventures whale-watching cruise from August to November to get close to the creatures of the deep, with the family-owned company also offering wildlife cruises in Merimbula and Eden.

Walk on the wild side

Take a leisurely meander through the mangroves on the 3.4km Merimbula Boardwalk, where handy signposts highlight the rich marine life, step into the cool temperate rainforest on the Goodenia Walking Track, or hotfoot it to Beowa National Park where the Pinnacles Walk leads to 65 million-year-old formations backed by turquoise seas.

For a truly energising experience in these wild surrounds, eco-friendly outdoor specialists Navigate Expeditions offer bushwalking, kayaking, glamping, e-biking and speciality tours with transfers from Merimbula, including the famous Light to Light Walking and Kayak tour.

Connect to the world’s oldest living culture  

There’s a rich seam of spirituality that informs the earth of this continent and you have the opportunity to experience it on the Yuin retreat with Ngaran Ngaran Cultural Awareness. The Narooma region has held sacred significance for the Yuin Aboriginal community for tens of thousands of years.  

Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness is an Aboriginal owned and operated initiative, who invite you to come, walk and listen to a sacred Dreaming of Djirringanj Country heartland of the Yuin people. This very special experience will open the doorway to you for the cultural traditions and Dreaming stories that have been passed down for thousands of years.   

Embark on a two-night, one day Yuin Retreat which includes boutique niche accommodation and meals. Your immersive experience begins with a Welcome to Country including language, song and a smoking ceremony followed by dinner, a tour briefing and traditional yarning circle.  

There’s a sunrise ceremony on day two with spectacular ocean scenery, followed by breakfast with indigenous foods including botanical jams.  Afterwards choose between a guided walking tour into the sacred Gulaga Mountain. Or a Djirringanj dreaming experience drive and walk day tour. Whichever tour you choose, it’s a privileged way to plug into a different reality that will revitalise you in so many ways.  

Taste oysters at their briny source

Merimbula’s sparkling waterways are so revered for their delicious Sydney rock oysters that they’re a key stop on the Sapphire Coast Oyster Trail and their banks host the Eat Merimbula festival, bringing together the region’s best growers, chefs and hungry gourmands for an annual epicurean extravaganza.

For a shuckin’ fun day combining sightseeing and taste-testing, join Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tours for a guided experience with a local oyster farmer. And nearby at Broadwater Oysters, sign up for Gourmet Oyster School, and learn everything there is to know about these prized bivalves while slurping them at the water’s edge.

Savour more local flavours

Prefer to leave the hard work to the experts? Tuck into Vietnamese-style oysters at Wheeler's Seafood Restaurant, or treat yourself to fresh Broadwater Oysters at Merimbula Aquarium & Wharf Restaurant, served with spectacular 180-degree ocean views.

When it’s time to wet your whistle, Dulcie’s Cottage is legendary thanks to its laidback atmosphere, live music, standout burgers, and an extensive cocktail list; while nearby, Kitty’s bar offers entertainment, classic cocktails and an Asian-fusion menu that emphasises fresh local fare.

In Narooma, Quarterdeck offers standout local seafood and Tex-Mex inspired dishes including street corn, tostadas and fried chicken wings with chipotle sauce, as well as the more substantial steaks, fish and whole roasted spatchcock. There’s an impressive wine selection too, or you could order one of the cocktails including the Watermelon Sugar, featuring Bombay Samphire gin, apricot brandy, violet liqueur, watermelon shrub and lemon. Nearby at Lynch’s Hotel, you can meet the friendly locals over a classic Sunday roast and try your luck in the classic meat tray raffle, or keep it deliciously simple with fish and chips at The Inlet. 

Stay awhile

Merimbula has accommodation for every style, from chic remixed motels to child-friendly stays steps from the beach. Get a taste of the suite life at the sea-facing Hillcrest Motel, where contemporary luxe amenities like a resort-style pool and bar, tennis court, firepit and playground are paired with retro-chic flourishes in a stylish nod to the hotel’s 1969 origins.

In the foreshore area locals call The Fishpen, you’ll find a host of family holiday apartments, including the Grandeur, Bayview and Lakeside Merimbula. For a luxurious stay in a place to call your own, Coast Resort Merimbula is set amongst two garden-filled hectares stretching from Merimbula Lake to Main Beach, with architecturally designed penthouses and apartments, pools, tennis court and a barbecue area for a plush take on self-catering. Or, book into the ADS on Collins, where you can hit refresh in split-level comfort and be energised by the soaring views across the beach.

Up the road in Narooma, Whale Inn is situated on a hill in the centre of town with extensive views out to the coast and is renowned for its plush amenities, while Narooma Surf Beach Holiday Park is ideally located on Narooma Surf Beach and surrounded by a lush golf course, with a range of luxury cabins, powered and unpowered sites to choose from.

Getting there

Narooma is 360km south of Sydney. It’s a scenic five-hour drive from the harbour city, or an hour’s drive from Moruya Airport, with flights aboard Regional Express Airlines available six days per week. Merimbula is just under six hours’ drive or 530km from Sydney, and you can also fly into Merimbula Airport with Regional Express or Qantas in about 75 minutes.