Streetscapes, Central TilbaCredit: Destination NSW
Step back into the gold rush era in the heritage villages of the South Coast.
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From hitting the trails at gold rush-era heritage hubs to hunting for treasure in the bush, there’s more than one way to strike holiday gold on the New South Wales South Coast.
Braidwood’s Heritage Walk
When gold was discovered near Braidwood, a three-hour drive southwest of Sydney, in the 1850s, this sleepy village was transformed into a hive of gold-fevered activity and construction works to accommodate the rush of prospectors. Today, many of these heritage buildings are remarkably intact: you can discover them on the 6.7km Braidwood Heritage Walk. The whole town has been National Trust-listed and the trail takes in 49 impressive sites, including the stately Albion Hotel and charming workers’ cottages. You’ll also see the Old Maternity Hospital, which was managed by Anne Gardiner — the sister of the Clarke Brothers bushrangers, whose violent thieving sprees ravaged the region in the 1860s. After your walk, grab a bite at the Bushranger Bistro inside the grand 1890s Royal Mail Hotel, which served as a coach staging area during the gold rush.
Montreal Goldfield
Take a guided treasure hunt through Australia’s only coastal prospecting site at the Montreal Goldfield, just 10km north of Bermagui on the Sapphire Coast, around a five-hour drive from Sydney. Gold was first discovered on the beach in September 1890, sparking a rush of prospectors. Within weeks, a small town with shops, hotels and even a school popped up. Today there are various relics to discover on a guided walk with local volunteers — their tour takes you to the mine shafts, includes divining demonstrations and reveals the intriguing stories of the short-lived boom that uncovered 250kg of gold — all brought to life at the on-site museum.
Montreal Goldfield, Sapphire Coast Credit: Montreal Goldfield
Exploring the Montreal Goldfield, north of Bermagui on the Sapphire Coast.
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Montreal Goldfield, Sapphire Coast Credit: Montreal Goldfield
Exploring the Montreal Goldfield, north of Bermagui on the Sapphire Coast.
Moruya River Credit: John Hicks; Eurobodalla Coast Tourism
Moruya River, Eurobodalla, South Coast
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Moruya River Credit: John Hicks; Eurobodalla Coast Tourism
Moruya River, Eurobodalla, South Coast
Tilba District Heritage Areas
Surrounded by the forested hills of the Eurobodalla region in the shadow of sacred Gulaga (Mt Dromedary), the Tilba District Heritage Areas were first hit by gold fever in 1852 when the precious metal was discovered in Gulaga’s creeks. Today you can hike the old mining routes up the mountain, which is revered by the local Yuin Aboriginal people, for epic views of the coastline. You can also explore the gold rush history of National Trust-classified villages of Tilba Tilba and Central Tilba, which prospered during this transformative era. For a deeper dive, book an interpretative heritage tour with Tilba Talks Heritage Walks.
Batemans Bay and surrounds
Around Batemans Bay, around a 1.5-hour drive south of Nowra or four hours from Sydney, gold was first discovered in the 1850s. The precious metal was found across the area near Moruya, Mogo, Bimbimbie and Nelligen on the Clyde River, which served as a port for Braidwood and the Araluen goldfields. At both the Batemans Bay Heritage Museum and the nearby Moruya Museum you’ll find expertly researched and curated artefacts from the area’s golden era, as well as friendly volunteers whose extensive knowledge brings the region’s gold rush stories to life.
Eurobodalla Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Some of the great experiences on offer in Eurobodalla.
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Eurobodalla Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Some of the great experiences on offer in Eurobodalla.
Clyde River Bridge, Batemans Bay Credit: Destination NSW
The Clyde River Bridge over the scenic Clyde River, Batemans Bay
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Clyde River Bridge, Batemans Bay Credit: Destination NSW
The Clyde River Bridge over the scenic Clyde River, Batemans Bay
More Inspirational Stories
Montague Island, NaroomaCredit: Destination NSW
Couple snorkilng with seals as part of the Montague Island Discovery Tours experience
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Narooma - A Beautiful Place For The Blues
You’ve heard of the Golden Triangle, well on the far South Coast of NSW - around a five-hour drive from Sydney - you’ll discover the turquoise triangle. The small beach town of Narooma (the name is thought to mean `clear blue waters’ in the local indigenous language), is situated in the Eurobodalla Shire and surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Wagonga River, its estuary and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. It’s impossibly, brilliantly, astonishingly blue. A blue expanse to surf, sail, kayak, fish and swim with seals on Montague Island.
You’ll also have more of Narooma to yourself, since it’s off the regular tourist trail because of its distance both Sydney and even Canberra. However you could also fly there on Regional Express (Rex) from Sydney to Moruya Airport, 35km from Narooma. It’s clearly worth the journey.
Narooma Institution Quarterdeck Is Suddenly Cool Again
Situated on the banks of the Wagonga Inlet in Forsters Bay, Quarterdeck once belonged to an oyster grower. Then it was a kiosk before becoming a fish’n’chippery. Now, there’s plenty of seafood including mind snapping local oysters on Quarterdeck’s menu but the space has been transformed into a tiki bar and restaurant with stunning views, kitsch beaded curtains and Tex-Mex inspired dishes. Think of it as a Tiki Bar in Tijuana with Mexican 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 interesting Australian wine list or you could order one of the cocktails including the Wagonga Princess with tequila and Aperol or Watermelon Sugar, the intoxicating drink named after Harry Styles’ famous track. Whether you visit Quarterdeck for lunch, dinner, or anything in between, you’ll be sure of having your spirits lifted.
Whale Inn - Carrying Its Own Weight In Narooma
Slightly eccentric with a mishmash of decorating styles that include 80s OTT and chinoiserie, Whale Inn, situated on a hill in the centre of town with extensive views out to the coast, is a brilliant place to stay in Narooma. Choose from 17 spacious rooms and four styles of accommodation including the Premier Room, Executive Suite with a large balcony and kitchenette, or the Executive Spa suite, which also has a large balcony overlooking the sea and a decadent corner spa bath inside. There’s also a family room on offer with multiple beds. There’s plenty to do here, the Whale Inn also boasts a swimming pool, barbecue area and there’s a branch of the acclaimed, hatted Queen Chow restaurant. If only all hotel in-house dining could be this inspired.
Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Getting up close to seals as part of the Montague Island Discovery Tours experience
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Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Getting up close to seals as part of the Montague Island Discovery Tours experience
Glasshouse Rocks, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Father and son heading out for a morning surf at Glasshouse Rocks, Narooma.
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Glasshouse Rocks, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Father and son heading out for a morning surf at Glasshouse Rocks, Narooma.
Swim With The Seals On Montague Island
Montague Island, which is also known as Baranguba to the local Yuin Aboriginal people- the traditional owners of the land, 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 snorkeling or scuba diving tour. Whichever depth you decide to go to, swimming with seals on Montague Island is a surreal experience in the true sense of the word.
Immerse Yourself In 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.