The best accommodation in Merimbula for all budgets

There’s never been a better time to motor down the highway on a road trip to Merimbula on NSW’s Sapphire Coast. Here are some of the best places to stay in Merimbula.

Merimbula, which is located within the country of the Yuin-Monaro Nations, has long been a hit with weekenders from Victoria and the ACT, but the waterfront town on NSW’s Sapphire Coast has also become a go-to getaway spot for road-trippers from around the state extending their search for pristine places to stay and play. From resorts and motels to holiday homes and Airbnbs, and camping and caravan parks, here are some of the best places to stay in Merimbula.

Short Point Beach—a cozy coast in Merimbula, NSW (Image: Dee Kramer Photography)

Motels and resorts in Merimbula

Hillcrest Merimbula

Wear your best kaftan, crank that ‘70s playlist and pour yourself a glass of bubbles to enjoy on the balcony of your Exhale Deluxe suite at Hillcrest Merimbula – one of top unique stays in NSW. The rooms at the roadside motel have had a beautiful nip and tuck, with the pared-back interior including pops of colour inspired by the pink sandstone peppered around Merimbula’s seaside surrounds. The chic boutique hotel, built in 1969, has 29 rooms and a one-bedroom apartment, pool, tennis court, fire pit and playground.

The Hillcrest Motel is a chic boutique hotel with interiors inspired by the pink sandstone peppered around Merimbula’s seaside surrounds. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

Coast Resort Merimbula

Want to get serious with the KinkyNerd you met on OkCupid? Book a weekend away at Coast Resort Merimbula, which has a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom townhouses and apartments. The coastal resort will suit road-trippers who want to see more of Merimbula. As well as being a short walk from ocean beaches and inland waterways, it is near to some of the best places to eat and drink in Merimbula. There’s a lap pool, and tennis court, too.

Surfside Holiday Apartments Merimbula

Those looking for a budget-friendly beachside holiday will appreciate the pricing at Surfside Holiday Apartments Merimbula, which is just minutes away from Merimbula Lake. The apartments are also within walking distance from the centre of Merimbula and Main Beach is so close the sound of the ocean echoes against the windows. Time your visit to coincide with the Merimbula Seaside Market & Fair held in nearby Ford Park on the third Sunday of the month.

The Surfside Holiday Apartments are perfect for budget-friendly beachside accommodation. (Image: Surfside Holiday Apartments)

Best Airbnb and holiday homes in Merimbula

Classic Australian Beach House

This Classic Australian Beach House boasts spectacular ocean and lake views and offers everything we need to relax and rejuvenate: proximity to swathes of sand, large windows that pull in the sunshine and, most importantly, a bit of privacy during a weekend away. This contemporary beach house is just three minutes from Bar Beach and has a room with single beds for families and wi-fi. We’re happy with the veranda situation, too, as there’s room for everyone to enjoy the views.

Rolling Waves 3

There are only a handful of properties that have private and exclusive access to Merimbula’s main surf beach. Rolling Waves 3 is one of them. The quiet coastal pet-friendly retreat can sleep up to eight guests and it’s stacked with amenities such as a designer kitchen with stone bench tops, a bathroom on all three levels, a glass lift, a rumpus room and killer coastal views. There’s also a fenced yard on ground level at this pet-friendly property.

ADS on Collins

ADS on Collins brings a bit of romance and luxury to the seaside town of Merimbula. While there is plenty to see and do on the NSW South Coast, this secluded sanctuary provides an opportunity for guests to just switch off and make the most of Merimbula’s sun-drenched days. The fully-renovated, split-level pet-friendly home is just a short walk to the beaches and main street of Merimbula.

ADS on Collins sleeps eight people (excellent for families) and brings a bit of romance and luxury to the seaside town of Merimbula. (Image: Merimbula Holiday Rentals)

Best beach pads in Merimbula

All Decked out at Penguin Mews

All Decked out at Penguin Mews is designed to showcase Merimbula’s good looks and is the quintessential Aussie beach pad. A cool contemporary palette of warm whites and taupe tones complements the incredible blue-on-blue views over Merimbula Lake and Bar Beach and what better way to end another delightful day than with drinks around the covered barbecue area? A handful of great local restaurants are also easily reached on foot.

Great local restaurants with fresh seafood dishes are a short walk away from All Decked Out at Penguin Mews. (Image: Destination NSW)

Coast Resort

Pack your inflatable flamingo so you can float around the sun-soaked lagoon-style pool at Coast Resort before heading out to dinner at much-raved-about destination diner, Valentina, which got a guernsey in the Good Food Guide 2022. Book a one-, two- or three-bedroom oceanside, poolside or lakeside apartment or townhouse, which are perfect for special occasions. Schedule a return trip to Merimbula in March to coincide with the Merimbula Eat Festival.

The Love Shack

Spend the morning burning around Merimbula on a guided e-bike tour with Cam Read, of Sapphire Coast Guiding Co. before retiring to the comfort of the Love Shack, a pretty one-bedroom cottage in Pambula Beach, just a 10-minute drive from Merimbula. Here, you can enjoy soaring views of sea, sand and sky in complete privacy and comfort from this humble beach shack on a hill, which will facilitate hours of quality time with that special someone.

Love Shack sits on the lovely Pambula Beach, a short 10-minute drive from Merimbula. (Image: Destination NSW)

Camping and caravan parks

NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort

Caravan parks and campgrounds have come of age, with many batting the concept of roughing it into the long grass and gleaning loyal followers while doing so. The NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort has broad appeal whether you’ve got a caravan in tow, want a simple grass site to camp out with the kids or prefer a swanky spa villa with ocean views. While kids will love the resort-style pool and water park, parents will love the kids’ clubs for when they need some quiet time.

The NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort is right in position to view passing whales in season, located as it is near  Short Point Beach, which has some of the best coastal views on the Sapphire Coast. The park facilities are aimed squarely at families, with karaoke nights, sausages sizzles, a jumping pillow, games and sports providing countless opportunities to make Merimbula a place where treasured childhood memories are made.

Merimbula Lake Holiday Park

You’ve got the esky packed with snacks and fizzy drinks, a couple of beach balls and a cricket bat, some fishing gear and surfboards. What more do you need? The pet-friendly Merimbula Lake Holiday Park has extra-large powered and unpowered sites with lots of space for guests to spread out and watch the play of light on the water. The park’s colour scheme is all blues and greens, the surrounding bush brimming with birdsong.

The Merimbula Lake Holiday park has a scenic view of the lake—perfect for admiring sunny, clear skies. (Image: Getty Images)

Glamping

Tanja Lagoon Camp

Although Tanja Lagoon Camp is closer to Tathra than Merimbula, it’s definitely worth the short trek. After spending the morning picking up goodies along the Gourmet Coast Trail which meanders around Merimbula, Bermagui, Narooma and Batemans Bay, plug Tanja Lagoon Camp into your satnav, crank some trusty tunes and head to your luxury safari tent where you can lunch on oysters on the deck of your safari-style tent located on the edge of a wild, coastal lagoon.

Not one for luxury stays? Scenic views at Merimbula make it an excellent spot for glampers and campers alike. (Image: David Rogers Photography, courtesy Sapphire Coast Destination Marketing)