South Coast Attractions
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The South Coast of New South Wales, from Batemans Bay to the Victorian border, is a fisherman's paradise. This stretch of coast offers an attractive variety of spectacular scenery against a backdrop of the dark summits of the Great Dividing Range - gentle hills, lakes, inlets and forests. The climate is mild throughout the year. Strung along the coast are a series of small holiday resorts offering a wide range of accommodation (much in demand during the main holiday seasons: advance booking advisable).The most southerly places on the coast are the old fishing village of Eden and the almost depopulated settlement of Boydtown, both once prosperous whaling stations.Batehaven features a Shell Museum.
Eden, Australia
Eden (pop. 3270), founded in whaling days, is now the most important fishing port on the south coast. The excellent natural harbor is on Twofold Bay. The beauty of the scenery attracts many holiday visitors.Eden features the Eden Killer Whale Museum on Imlay Street, a good, safe beach, and excellent fishing. To north and south of the town extends the Ben Boyd National Park. Also worth visiting is Mount Imlay National Park.Near Eden are the ruins of the former rival settlement of Boydtown, founded by Benjamin Boyd in 1842; the old Sea Horse Inn is still open.
Ben Boyd National Park
9438ha.This coastal park, named after Benjamin Boyd, founder of the abortive settlement of Boydtown, was established in 1973. It was formerly a whaling base. From Boyd's Tower, a former lighthouse, there are magnificent views of the reddish sandstone cliffs in the National Park.
Nowra, Australia
Nowra (pop. 22,300) began life around 1850 as a little settlement on the Shoalhaven River and developed into the center of an agricultural area. Along with Bomaderry on the north bank of the river, it is now the farming and commercial center of the region and a popular tourist resort.There are 18th C houses in the town and surrounding area. The Shoalhaven River offers excellent facilities for water sports, and there are beautiful beaches within a radius of 30km. The old police station now houses a historical museum.
Surroundings
18km north of Nowra, in a prosperous dairy farming area, is Berry, which has preserved many old buildings. Coolangatta, 18km east, was the first settlement in the area, with a row of convict-built cottages which have been restored to create a museum village. 20km north is Kangaroo Valley, a fertile region surrounded by steep wooded hills which was settled from 1831 onwards (Pioneer Farm Museum). 37km from the town by way of Kangaroo Valley are the Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park (Moss Vale).
Pambula, Merimbula, Australia
Merimbula and its sister village Pambula (joint pop. 425) are popular holiday resorts famed for their beautiful beaches and excellent fishing (boat hire). The only relic of the former little port is the old school (1870), now a museum.To the south, on the coast, is Ben Boyd National Park.
Ulladulla, Australia
Ulladulla (pop. 9960) is an attractive fishing town on the South Coast. Along with nearby Milton it lies at the northern end of a stretch of beautiful coastal lakes and lagoons with white sandy beaches. In the 1930s Italian fishermen built up a fishing fleet which is now based in an extended harbor. The port was already being used by shipping around 1820.Ulladulla's beautiful beaches and facilities for water sports attract many holidaymakers. There is good bush walking and climbing on Pigeon House Mountain, in the southern part of Morton National Park (Moss Vale).
Bega, Australia
Bega (pop. 4500) lies 450 km south of Sydney at the junction of the Princes and Snowy Mountain Highways, between the south coast with its good surfing beaches and the finest winter sports areas in the Snowy Mountains. An earlier settlement of around 1830 was later moved to the higher bank of the river for safety from flooding. It is an important dairy farming center with a well-known cheese factory (guided visits).
Bega Family Museum
The Bega Family Museum, in a former hotel, illustrates the early period of settlement on the south coast.Exhibits include industries, clothing, military, machinery, transport, and family histories. There is a collection of over 200 framed photographs of pioneers.
Mimosa Rocks National Park
5200ha.This beautiful coastal park, opened in 1973, has a 12km long coastline with a complex pattern of beaches, cliffs, promontories and inlets and a variety of scenery. Bunga Head and Mimosa Rocks are massive volcanic crags, partly separated from the mainland.
Bournda National Park
2305ha.Bournda National Park is a coastal park on Lake Wallagoot, offering a combination of Pacific coastal scenery, Lake Wallagoot and the river valley.The park features saltwater and freshwater lakes, a lagoon, a creek and beaches.
Batemans Bay, Australia
The holiday resort of Batemans Bay (pop. 8310) lies 294 km south of Sydney on the estuary of the Clyde River. It is the nearest bathing resort to Canberra (152 km), and is famed for its crayfish and oysters and its excellent facilities for surfing, bathing and fishing in the bay.Batehaven features a Shell Museum.
Surroundings
There are a number of attractions in the area around Batemans Bay.Batehaven features a Shell Museum.
Batehaven
Batehaven is 1 km east of Batemans Bay.Batehaven features a Shell Museum.
Birdland Animal Park
Birdland Animal Park features native and exotic birds; hiking trails, and picnic areas.There are over 50 species of native birds and animals on 8 acres of bushland and gardens.
Bermagui, Australia
The fishing village and angling resort of Bermagui (pop. 1500) lies just off the Princes Highway. Scenically impressive are its backdrop of hills (Mount Dromedary) and its rugged coast. It was much publicized for its fishing by the American sportsman and novelist Zane Grey around 1930.
Wallaga Lake National Park
1200ha.Wallaga Lake National Park, established in 1972, consists of a wooded area on the southern and western shores of Wallaga Lake, a coastal lagoon with many sheltered inlets.
Tathra, Australia
Tathra (pop. 1570) is a popular holiday resort on the South Coast. It is best reached from Wagga Wagga, Albury and Griffith on the Snowy Mountains Highway. Good sandy beaches; the estuary of the Bega River is suitable for children.To the north is Mimosa Rocks National Park, to the south Bournda National Park.
Moruya, Australia
Moruya (pop. 2530) was once the gateway to the goldfields of Braidwood and Araluen. The town's economy now depends on dairy farming, timber and oyster culture. The granite used in the construction of Sydney Harbour Bridge came from this area.
Narooma, Australia
The fishing port and holiday resort of Narooma (pop. 3450) lies at the mouth of the Wagonga River and has beautiful beaches.
Surroundings
Montague Island, 8km off the coast of Narooma, is a wild life sanctuary in an area favored by deep-sea anglers.Near Narooma are a number of beautiful lakes and inlets.Tilba, 15km south of Narooma on the Princes Highway, is a little settlement which has remained almost unchanged since the 19th C. It has been classified by the National Trust as an 'unusual mountain village'.
