When you\u2019re not in or around the water, set up camp at one of the local holiday parks in Merimbula or splash out on a retro-chic seaside stay. And make sure you take full advantage of the fact that the town is also on the map as one of the NSW South Coast\u2019s best places to eat and drink. Discover all this and more with our pick of must-dos in Merimbula.<\/p>\n
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Merimbula is one of the best places to eat and drink on NSW’s South Coast. (Image: Destination NSW)<\/p><\/div>\n
1. Eat your way along the new Gourmet Coast Trail<\/h2>\n
The Gourmet Coast Trail<\/a> is a new immersive way to experience the South Coast. And although the trail stretches from Batemans Bay in the north all the way to Eden in the south, you can make Merimbula your focus by ticking off absolutely everything on the Merimbula Weekend Getaway<\/a> itinerary.<\/p>\n The Gourmet Coast Trail is an immersive way to experience the South Coast. (Image: Gourmet Coast Trail)<\/p><\/div>\n Those in pursuit of the best places to eat and drink in Merimbula will appreciate the ease of plugging the various places into your satnav and enjoying everything from twilight drinks at Longstocking Brewery and Dulcie\u2019s Cottage to dinner at the much-vibed-about Valentina<\/a>.<\/p>\n Charge your fitness tracker and lace up your most comfortable hiking boots for the 27-kilometre Wharf to Wharf Walk<\/a>, which you can undertake independently or with local guide Cam Read, of Sapphire Coast Guiding Co<\/a>.<\/p>\n The coastal walk connects the towns of Merimbula and Tathra and can be done as an epic one-day hike, a three-day fully guided walk, or a two-day self-guided walk. The best thing about extending the walk over several days is that it will allow you more time to explore the villages, shops and eateries along the way. Sapphire Coast Guiding Co. also offer guided e-bike and kayak tours.<\/p>\n The coastal walk is a scenic journey through the towns of Merimbula and Tathra. (Image: David Rogers Photography)<\/p><\/div>\n Whether you\u2019re up for the mad Toboggan Run that twists and roars its way downhill, or you prefer the more sedate pace of a Magic Cup and Saucer ride, the Magic Mountain Merimbula offers a range of rides to suit everyone in the family.<\/p>\n Buckle up for the Sapphire Speedster Coaster and Grand Prix Cars or blast off down the Black Hole and Doom Tube, which will spit you out into a cool refreshing pool. This small theme park also has a maze and Tree Climb Challenge, which includes two hours of Ninja Warrior-ing around a course of rope bridges, high wires and wooden obstacles.<\/p>\n Take your children on an underwater excursion without getting wet by steering them around the various marine exhibits on show at Merimbula Wharf Aquarium & Restaurant<\/a>.<\/p>\n Learn more about local marine life when you gaze into the big, deep blue of the 70,000-litre oceanarium, which is home to some 90 per cent of local fish species, as well as squid, cuttlefish and seahorses.<\/p>\n Be there for feeding time (from 11.30 am, Wednesday and Fridays during the school holidays) to see the resident octopus unscrew the lid of a jar to consume its contents, then head upstairs to the restaurant, one of the best places to eat in Merimbula.<\/p>\n Get yourself a fresh seafood tower at the Merimbula Aquarium and Wharf restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Most golf courses have 18 holes, but the Pambula Merimbula Golf Club<\/a> has 27, which means you\u2019re more likely to find a time to have a hit at the golf course, which is home to thousands of kangaroos and has a variety of challenging holes to interest all levels of ability.<\/p>\n The well-groomed golf course, which is wedged between Top Lake in Merimbula and Main Beach, held its very first tournament in 1966. Book a lesson with PGA professionals at the pro shop and then head to The 28th at the clubhouse for a pannini and cold beer. You can also enjoy a game of mini golf with the kids at Top Fun<\/a>, at the top of town.<\/p>\n Merimbula is derived from a local Aboriginal word meaning \u2018two lakes\u2019 in reference to the fact Merimbula Lake is located on the southern side of the town and Back Lake on the northern side. And part of the Bega Valley Shire Council\u2019s strategic plan for the Merimbula Boardwalk<\/a> was to enhance the visitor experience around Indigenous education in honour of the traditional owners of the land, the Yuin First Nations People. The boardwalk curls around mangrove forests, under the grey-green canopy of eucalypts and past oyster farms that are plentiful along this section of Australia\u2019s Oyster Coast.<\/p>\n Walk the Merimbula Boardwalk to pass through mangrove forests and eucalyptus trees. (Image: Destination NSW)<\/p><\/div>\n One of the most responsible ways to travel<\/a> to regional centres around NSW is to #supportlocal. Visit fashion boutique Koko Maia<\/a> to buy hypo-thermal garments from Australian-made Lou Lou Bamboo, and find everything from upcycled fashion to fresh produce, craft and curios at the Merimbula Seaside Markets on the third Sunday of the month.<\/p>\n You can also explore the Sapphire Coast Market Trail<\/a> to snap up more local merch. Want a memento of your stay? Visit the website of acclaimed local photographer David Rogers<\/a> to buy a print of the surrounding Mimosa Rocks National Park.<\/p>\n Sapphire Coastal Adventures<\/a> departs from the Merimbula Marina between late September to late November and seeing these gentle giants roaming the open ocean makes for an impressive outing.<\/p>\n The skippers onboard the discovery tours know where the best spots are for whale watching<\/a> on NSW\u2019s South Coast. You can also take a tour out to Montague Island with Montague Island Adventures<\/a> where you can snorkel with the seals and take a penguin tour.<\/p>\n Whale watching and penguin tours are on the agenda when you take a trip to Montague Island. (Image: Destination NSW)<\/p><\/div>\n Fishpen Charters<\/a> has been operating off the NSW South Coast for the last 30 years. Keen anglers who want to introduce their children to catching their own fish for dinner should depart Mitchies Jetty, located on an elbow of land jutting into Merimbula Lake where the waterways are as smooth as glass.<\/p>\n Part of the pleasure of going offshore with Fishpen Charters is the four or five-hour jaunt out to sea, which, regardless of whether you hook a big one, will add to your feelings of contentment on the day.<\/p>\n The Merimbula Lake features waters as clear and cool as glass.<\/p><\/div>\n There are farm sheds and oyster bars dotted up and down Australia\u2019s Oyster Coast and if your idea of heaven is slurping down a cheeky dozen then you should start your tour at Merimbula Gourmet Oysters<\/a>.<\/p>\n Broadwater Oysters<\/a> is also on the water\u2019s edge and oyster aficionados will love the Tide-to-Table experience on offer, which includes a shucking class.<\/p>\n Book a Bermi & Beyond<\/a> tour or, for the full farm-to-plate experience, follow the self-drive Gourmet Coast Trail to Wonboyn Rock Oysters and Wheeler\u2019s Seafood Restaurant<\/a> for some of the best oysters on NSW\u2019s South Coast.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/gourmet-coast-trail.jpg\")
2. Embark on a guided tour of the Sapphire Coast<\/h2>\n
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3. Take the kids to a theme park<\/h2>\n
4. Visit marine life in Merimbula<\/h2>\n
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5. Play a round of golf<\/h2>\n
6. Walk along the boardwalk<\/h2>\n
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7. Hit the shops in Merimbula<\/h2>\n
8. See whales and swim with seals in Merimbula<\/h2>\n
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9. Enjoy a reef fishing charter<\/h2>\n
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10. Feast on oysters<\/h2>\n
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