Tabitha's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Welcome to the Sapphire Coast- the best kept secret.
Fantastic swimming if you don’t want the waves. Meander down the river mouth beaches for quiet sunbaking or picnics. Spectacular photographic opportunities. Great spot to use Stand Up Paddle Boards or fish. See the dolphins often at dusk. Take a bush walk up behind boat houses -1.2km return, likely to see wildlife and great view at end towards the far end of the river. Alternative walk from car park (highly recommend) all the way above Lions Park (also an amazing Beach) around to Pambula Beach. Spectacular scenery! You won’t want to miss this one!
23 locals recommend
Pambula River
Fantastic swimming if you don’t want the waves. Meander down the river mouth beaches for quiet sunbaking or picnics. Spectacular photographic opportunities. Great spot to use Stand Up Paddle Boards or fish. See the dolphins often at dusk. Take a bush walk up behind boat houses -1.2km return, likely to see wildlife and great view at end towards the far end of the river. Alternative walk from car park (highly recommend) all the way above Lions Park (also an amazing Beach) around to Pambula Beach. Spectacular scenery! You won’t want to miss this one!
Lions Park
Coraki DriveDog approved beach. My favourite beach, great for walking, swimming and sun bathing.
The old horse race track has been made into a fabulous walk or bike track, alongside the beautiful bird rich wetlands. Scenic, great for exercise and sightseeing.
14 locals recommend
Panboola
48 Bullara StThe old horse race track has been made into a fabulous walk or bike track, alongside the beautiful bird rich wetlands. Scenic, great for exercise and sightseeing.
You’d kick yourself to miss this iconic location, history, fishing, coffee and lunch at the old wharf or plenty to eat down the Main Street opposite the beach, walking tracks, swimming ++. About 25 min from Monterey Cottage.
22 locals recommend
Tathra Wharf Lookout
Wharf RoadYou’d kick yourself to miss this iconic location, history, fishing, coffee and lunch at the old wharf or plenty to eat down the Main Street opposite the beach, walking tracks, swimming ++. About 25 min from Monterey Cottage.
Start at Merimbula, turn left directly after crossing the bridge and walk the 4 km return. Absolutely magical experience. Stop at the other end for coffee and cake at the Lakeside Cafe.
15 locals recommend
Merimbula Boardwalk
Merimbula BoardwalkStart at Merimbula, turn left directly after crossing the bridge and walk the 4 km return. Absolutely magical experience. Stop at the other end for coffee and cake at the Lakeside Cafe.
This is a great spot even for a quick drive to, the views from the carport are breathtaking. In Merimbula. Often see whales.
16 locals recommend
Short Point
This is a great spot even for a quick drive to, the views from the carport are breathtaking. In Merimbula. Often see whales.
THE Picture Show Man
80 Main StLocal cinema - 2 screenings morning and night.
Merimbula Divers Lodge
15 Park StFancy an epic dive? Don’t miss Merimbula’s own diving experience.
If you like discovering magical places off the beaten track, this is exceptional- remote beach but not too remote to get to. Head past Tathra and look very carefully for the Nelsons Beach sign while traveling up the mountain. It’s on the right on a corner almost.
36 locals recommend
Nelsons Beach
Plantation Point ParadeIf you like discovering magical places off the beaten track, this is exceptional- remote beach but not too remote to get to. Head past Tathra and look very carefully for the Nelsons Beach sign while traveling up the mountain. It’s on the right on a corner almost.
A perfect day out! Beautiful unique eclectic shops, cheese factory, home to SBS River Cottage series. A full day experience.
42 locals recommend
Tilba Tilba
A perfect day out! Beautiful unique eclectic shops, cheese factory, home to SBS River Cottage series. A full day experience.
Haycock Point is potentially a whole day trip, plenty of remote beach choices, lots of good walks from 450m to 5km. Start with Pinnacles, it’s a sigh seeing walk as well as beautiful remote beach, lots to explore down along the beach. If you desire a ‘remote wilderness’ experience, then this is for you! About 15 min from Monterey Cottage.
Haycock Point
Haycock Point is potentially a whole day trip, plenty of remote beach choices, lots of good walks from 450m to 5km. Start with Pinnacles, it’s a sigh seeing walk as well as beautiful remote beach, lots to explore down along the beach. If you desire a ‘remote wilderness’ experience, then this is for you! About 15 min from Monterey Cottage.
4x4 essential. Track begins at Eden Waste Management entrance- approx 10 min from Monterey Cottage. Choice of Terrace Beach, Lennards Island and North Head - a total escape from civilization. Amazing sight seeing, abalone plentiful at Lennards Island. You’ll think you are a million miles from civilization out there. No facilities- bring water.
Lennards Island Track
Lennards Island Track4x4 essential. Track begins at Eden Waste Management entrance- approx 10 min from Monterey Cottage. Choice of Terrace Beach, Lennards Island and North Head - a total escape from civilization. Amazing sight seeing, abalone plentiful at Lennards Island. You’ll think you are a million miles from civilization out there. No facilities- bring water.
Food scene
Find the locals secret best eats.
Best burgers and fish and chips in the district. They make awesome coffee and chai too. Take your food/drinks to the beach and enjoy! Located in front of the Pambula Beach Caravan Park.
13 locals recommend
The Broken Oar
1 Pambula Beach RdBest burgers and fish and chips in the district. They make awesome coffee and chai too. Take your food/drinks to the beach and enjoy! Located in front of the Pambula Beach Caravan Park.
It’s not just the food, the views, opportunity to fish off the historic wharf or jump off for a daring swim with the giant stingrays. Definitely worth a drive to view at a minimum.
42 locals recommend
Merimbula Aquarium & Wharf Restaurant
Lake StreetIt’s not just the food, the views, opportunity to fish off the historic wharf or jump off for a daring swim with the giant stingrays. Definitely worth a drive to view at a minimum.
If you want a super cool wining/dining experience - this super cute old cottage delivers the best burgers, dine inside or in the gorgeous garden. This place is granny’s cottage morphed into a hipster drinking den. Often there are cues outside if you arrive too late. Aim for a 6pm start to get a seat, in Winter you might score a seat alongside the fabulous fireplace. You’ll come back here every time. It’s amazing!!
64 locals recommend
Dulcie's Cottage
60 Main StIf you want a super cool wining/dining experience - this super cute old cottage delivers the best burgers, dine inside or in the gorgeous garden. This place is granny’s cottage morphed into a hipster drinking den. Often there are cues outside if you arrive too late. Aim for a 6pm start to get a seat, in Winter you might score a seat alongside the fabulous fireplace. You’ll come back here every time. It’s amazing!!
Oaklands is almost a whole day experience. Brewery with cheese tasting and night time wood fired Pizza, day time cafe, cool shopping options, animal parting zoo, plant nursery and stock feed supplies. Not to be missed.
28 locals recommend
Oaklands Cafe
3546 Princes HwyOaklands is almost a whole day experience. Brewery with cheese tasting and night time wood fired Pizza, day time cafe, cool shopping options, animal parting zoo, plant nursery and stock feed supplies. Not to be missed.
If you desire some pretty damn fine pizza, our local Pizza shop is proudly right up there with the very best Pizzas you can find!
9 locals recommend
Pambula Pizza
21 Toalla StreetIf you desire some pretty damn fine pizza, our local Pizza shop is proudly right up there with the very best Pizzas you can find!
Great newly refurbished Pub, go for a great lunch, drinks or sit and watch the world go by from the Main Street facing long deck.
10 locals recommend
Top Pub Commercial Hotel
18 Quondola StGreat newly refurbished Pub, go for a great lunch, drinks or sit and watch the world go by from the Main Street facing long deck.
You definitely want to visit this- amazing craft beer! Delicious oysters and cheese. Or come Friday and Saturday night for wood fires Pizza (to die for) and Sat live music. Also open all day Sunday till 4pm. Must book, it’s very popular.
Did you know it’s situated directly beside Monterey Cottage (across the paddock) but you will have to drive (or walk- it’s about 1km by toad) as the entrance is on the highway behind us.
25 locals recommend
LONGSTOCKING BREWERY
3546 Princes HwyYou definitely want to visit this- amazing craft beer! Delicious oysters and cheese. Or come Friday and Saturday night for wood fires Pizza (to die for) and Sat live music. Also open all day Sunday till 4pm. Must book, it’s very popular.
Did you know it’s situated directly beside Monterey Cottage (across the paddock) but you will have to drive (or walk- it’s about 1km by toad) as the entrance is on the highway behind us.
Fine Dining in Quaint Pambula. Open Thursday - Sat evenings and Sunday Lunch. Must book ahead. Atmosphere, service and exceptional food. Approx $75 for 3 course menu.
24 locals recommend
Banksia Restaurant
22 Quondola StFine Dining in Quaint Pambula. Open Thursday - Sat evenings and Sunday Lunch. Must book ahead. Atmosphere, service and exceptional food. Approx $75 for 3 course menu.
Neighbourhoods
An awesome day trip. Funky op shops, great Pub, fabulous beaches and don’t forget to go to the famous Blue Pool a natural ocean water pool carved into the side of the cliff and rocks.
Check out Horse Head Rock and Camel Rock. Camel Rock is close to the car park, Horse Head is a about 1.5km along the trail - definitely worth the walk! Great for alternative foods, shopping and lots of great walks.
35 locals recommend
Bermagui
An awesome day trip. Funky op shops, great Pub, fabulous beaches and don’t forget to go to the famous Blue Pool a natural ocean water pool carved into the side of the cliff and rocks.
Check out Horse Head Rock and Camel Rock. Camel Rock is close to the car park, Horse Head is a about 1.5km along the trail - definitely worth the walk! Great for alternative foods, shopping and lots of great walks.
A full day out, loads of sight seeing on the way, bring a picnic as no shops. Will suit those who love bush walking, fishing, and seeing native wildlife (there are loads of wombats in under brush near the light house). A day you will love, and treasure those awesome pics for a lifetime.
Green Cape Lighthouse Road
Green Cape Lighthouse RoadA full day out, loads of sight seeing on the way, bring a picnic as no shops. Will suit those who love bush walking, fishing, and seeing native wildlife (there are loads of wombats in under brush near the light house). A day you will love, and treasure those awesome pics for a lifetime.
Scenic, lovely beaches and easy walks along the water. Check out Eden’s iconic Whale Museum. Stop by for a coffee at the wharf - spectacular views. Or go to Sprouts Cafe and taste some super delicious foods and drinks. A local favourite. Drive a couple kilometres past Eden to Quarantine Bay on the left. It’s beautiful. See the yachts and local yacht club down there.
14 locals recommend
Eden
Scenic, lovely beaches and easy walks along the water. Check out Eden’s iconic Whale Museum. Stop by for a coffee at the wharf - spectacular views. Or go to Sprouts Cafe and taste some super delicious foods and drinks. A local favourite. Drive a couple kilometres past Eden to Quarantine Bay on the left. It’s beautiful. See the yachts and local yacht club down there.