Witnessing a baby calf breach on a whale watching tour. Sampling some delicious local oysters. Spotting native Australian wildlife. These are just some of the top things to do on the Sapphire Coast. A beautiful region of New South Wales just waiting to be explored.
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Where is the Sapphire Coast?
The Sapphire Coast is located on the far south coast of New South Wales, Australia. It starts up north in the town of Bermagui, right down to Eden in the south. It also stretches inland to include some wonderful towns such as Bega and Bombala.
The closest capital city to the Sapphire Coast is Canberra. It’s quite a distance to the populated cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Generally, too far for a day trip, or even just a weekend. For this reason, the Sapphire Coast has some of the most unspoilt beaches on the east coast of Australia.
If you’ve the time to spare to make the trip, the Sapphire Coast is packed with a variety of awesome things to do. Here’s our list of absolute faves.
On a road trip from Sydney? Check out our guide on all the best stops to make when driving from Sydney to Eden
18 of the best things to do on the Sapphire Coast
#1 See the Camel Rock in Bermagui
Just north of the town of Bermagui lies the scenic beauty of Camel Rock. Why does it have this name? This rock formation looks like a camel! I was a little dubious the first time we were driving up to this beach. Would it really look like a camel? But I can assure you, it’s a very amazing resemblance. The rock was formed over 450 million years ago due to undersea avalanches.
If nothing else, this beach is a beauty and a great way to start ticking off the top things to do on the Sapphire Coast.
#2 Visit the Blue Pool in Bermagui
Continuing along the list of natural beauties is the Blue Pool in Bermagui. This is the most famous ocean rock pool on the Sapphire Coast. It’s in a dramatic location, sitting right along the rocky coast.
The Blue Pool can be accessed by descending a set of stairs. You can swim in the fresh ocean water or just admire the view from down below. If you don’t feel like heading down, there’s a viewing platform up the top of the cliff too.
#3 Have some of the best sourdough you’ll ever have at Honorbread
Looking for places to eat in Bermagui, I was stunned to come across a tiny little bakery with the highest Google rating I’ve ever seen. We knew we had to check it out.
Honorbread is a little, canteen-style hole in the wall bakery serving up some doughy goodness. The trendy exterior is the first thing you’ll notice. But it’s not all good looks. The sourdough here is some of the best we’ve ever tried. Why not grab some and have a picnic by the beach? They also serve up coffee and a limited menu of lunch items too.
#4 Visit the historical village of Tilba
If you love cute country towns and boutique stores, you’ll be blown away by Tilba. Just a minute detour from the Princes Highway and you’ll find yourself in this lovely township.
Set up as a gold mining town in the late 1800s, Tilba has continued to prosper. Preserved as a heritage town in 1975, today it is like a glimpse into the past. Colourful timber cottages are dotted along the main road. They’ve been transformed into all manner of shops, including café’s, lolly shops and clothes stores. You could easily spend a few hours wandering through this picture perfect town. If you visit on a Saturday morning, make sure you visit the local market too.
#5 Visit the iconic Tathra Wharf
Tathra is just one of the beautiful beach towns dotted along the Sapphire Coast. One of the top things to do in Tathra is visit the historical Tathra Wharf. This pinky-orange building that juts over the sea was built in the 1860s. It’s a heritage listed wharf with long ties back to the shipping trade in the 1800s. Today, Tathra wharf is home to a museum and café, and a popular spot for fishing.
As you visit the wharf, make sure you take the path up around the headland. This is a stunning spot with incredible views out across the bay. If you’re visiting in whale watching season, you may also get to see some of these majestic creatures playing right in front of you.
#6 Walk along the Merimbula Boardwalk
In the town of Merimbula, set aside an hour or two to walk along the impressive boardwalk. The walk is 3.5km in length and snakes its way along the Merimbula Lake. It’s a picturesque walk, with views out across the lake with the oyster farms. Walking amongst the mangroves, it’s a great spot to enjoy getting out into nature.
The boardwalk starts close to town and finishes at a spot called Top Lake. There’s a carpark at either end. If you’re not up to walking the whole length, just walk as far as you want and then head on back to the carpark.
#7 Hang out at Mitchie’s Jetty
If you’ve spotted a bright aqua and purple shed out on Merimbula Lake, you’ve seen Mitchie’s Jetty. This is one of the most popular spots in Merimbula. Perched up on the sand, the whole area is a hive of activity. The bay here is generally very calm, so is a great spot for swimming. The shed hires out kayaks and stand up paddle boards, so you can get out onto the water for a paddle. Or if you’re looking for something a bit more relaxing, it’s also a popular spot for fishing. On weekends and in other busy times a coffee cart is set up at the jetty too.
#8 Go on a whale watching cruise
Every year whales can be spotted off the East Coast of Australia as they make their migration north and back. The Northern Migration occurs from around May to July. The Southern Migration occurs from August to November. It’s this Southern Migration which is the best time for whale watching. The whales are off on their way back to Antarctica with their new baby whales. The Sapphire Coast is one of the last stops along the coastline before they enter the deep water south. We’ve been told that the mother and her calf become extra active as they enjoy this last reprieve before their final push home.
Whilst they can often be spotted from various vantage points along the coast, the best way to see them up close is on a whale watching cruise. There are a few cruise operators within the Sapphire Coast. We’ve personally used Merimbula Marina, who were absolutely fantastic. On a 2.5 hour express whale watch we saw multiple humpback whales with their young, breaching and showing off right in front of our eyes. It’s definitely one of the best things to do on the Sapphire Coast!
#9 Try some local oysters
Whilst there is lots of incredible seafood to eat on the Sapphire Coast, the real highlight is tasting some local oysters. The waters within this region are perfect for farming these delicious treats. Places such as Tathra Oysters serve up award winning Sydney Rock Oysters. Purchasing these locally mean you’re getting them extra fresh and at a fraction of the cost in a restaurant back home.
There are multiple farms and restaurants where you can visit to try some local oysters. Why not follow this Oyster Trail and see how many oysters you can eat in a day!
#10 Visit Pambula Beach and spot some kangaroos
The area of Pambula Beach is known for its pristine sandy beach and local wildlife. This is the spot where we’ve seen so many kangaroos. We even once spotted an echidna on the beach.
Whilst the kangaroos can apparently be spotted hopping along the beach sometimes, we’ve never been lucky enough to see this. However, they are often all over the area and in the parks behind. Come here for a wander around and get your fix of Australian wildlife.
#11 Do some shopping in Pambula
The small main street of Pambula is one of those cute little Australian towns you have to see at least once. It’s a great spot to do some retail therapy, and support the locals whilst you’re at it. Time your visit at lunch, and grab a pie at Wild Rye’s Baking Co. Then hop across the road to check out the homewares at Black Daisy Trading. For an afternoon drink, head over to Longstocking Brewery to sample some of their own brew.
#12 Visit the incredible Pinnacles
No, we’re not asking you to pop over and see the Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia. The Sapphire Coast is home to their own natural attraction called the Pinnacles. And it sits firmly in our list of top things to do in the Sapphire Coast.
The Pinnacles of the Sapphire Coast is a stunning red and white cliff face. It formed over 25 million years ago to mark an old water table. It’s a unique sight, particularly on a clear day. The contrast of a blue sky against the red and white is breathtaking. The Pinnacles are located within the Ben Boyd National Park, about 20 minutes south of Merimbula. There’s an easy walking track (a 1km loop) to get to the lookout point from the carpark.
#13 Visit the Eden Killer Whale Museum
We’ve mentioned that the Sapphire Coast is one of the best places to see whales on Australia’s east coast. Sadly, many years ago that led to the region being a leading spot for whaling. Whilst this terrible practice has now been outlawed, you can learn all about the history of whales in Eden at this unique museum.
It’s not all gloomy though, you’ll learn all about these majestic creatures too. And be treated to some pretty impressive old tales. To top it off, there’s a massive orca skeleton to view at the entry, the mighty Old Tom killer whale.
#14 Look for whales at the Eden lookout points
Whilst you’re in Eden, head over to the Eden Lookout and Rotary Park. If it’s whale season and you weren’t keen on heading out on a whale watching tour, this is a great substitute. A fantastic viewing spot to see the whales on their migration.
#15 Get a toastie at the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre
Growing up in Australia, Bega Cheese was a national institution. Products from Bega graced the fridges of many families. And Jeff’s fridge was always full of tasty cheese growing up! The Bega Valley is the home of Bega Cheese. As you drive through the region you’ll spot the cows and the farms that go into making this fabulous cheesy produce.
So a visit to the Sapphire Coast isn’t complete until you experience the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre. Located on the site of the local factory, the centre is a homage to all things cheese. Downstairs there is a café and lots of Bega product for sale. Upstairs there is a museum to learn all about the history of Bega Cheese.
Make sure you time your visit with an empty stomach, so you can enjoy a cheese toastie whilst you’re there.
#16 Shop the Saturday markets at Cobargo
Cobargo is a small inland heritage town located along the Princes Highway. It’s known for its heritage buildings that dot the main street. Tragically, Cobargo was hit hard by the bush fires of the summer of 2019/20, and a number of buildings along the main street were lost. There’s never been a better time to visit Cobargo and support the locals.
Head to Cobargo on a Saturday morning, where local stalls are set up along the main street. From homemade jams and cakes, to candle stores, you’re sure to find a few treats to pick up. There’s some wonderful cafes in town too, such as the Valiant Coffee, serving drinks out of a small caravan. For those who enjoyed the pies at Wild Rye’s, Via Luna also serves these pies here. If you’re looking to jazz up your home, head to Twig & Feather for some beautiful homewares.
#17 Spot the platypus in Bombala
Nearly an hour and a half inland from Merimbula lies the small town of Bombala. This spot makes the list of the top things to do on the Sapphire Coast for the opportunity to see the elusive platypus!
Before visiting this town, neither of us had seen a platypus in the wild. Hard to fathom for two born and bred Aussies! We had to change that, so a visit to Bombala was in order. Head to the Bombala Platypus Reserve and try your luck at spotting this beautiful creature. You’re more likely to find them swimming about in the early morning or late afternoon. However, we were lucky enough to spot some even in the middle of the day.
Before you leave, make sure you wander along the main street in town. We love the heritage buildings here, such as the Imperial Hotel. It feels a little like a movie set.
#18 Grab a pie at the Bemboka Pie Shop
The small little town of Bemboka is a great pit stop on the way to Canberra from the Sapphire Coast. Whilst there’s not much to the main street, make sure to stop off at the Bemboka Pie Shop. Whilst you can munch on a humble Aussie meat pie, there’s so many other sweet treats to try too. I love the Vanilla Slice and Bee Sting buns. A perfect stop to re-fuel for the end of your Sapphire Coast adventures.
Do you live in Sydney? Before you leave, check out our guide to the best weekends away from Sydney for some more travel inspiration
Where to stay on the Sapphire Coast
There are so many wonderful places to base yourself for your stay on the Sapphire Coast. From campsites, caravan parks and apartment rentals, you’re really spoilt for choice on the Sapphire Coast. Below are just a handful of accommodation options we’d recommend from personal experience.
Merimbula
Merimbula is the largest coastal town on the Sapphire Coast. It also has a huge variety of different places to stay. It’s our pick when we travel down to the region.
Our favourite area to stay is on the Fishpen. This area of Merimbula is blessed with the long Merimbula Beach on one side, and the lake on the other. It’s fairly flat and is a lovely place for a walk. It’s also an easy 15 minute walk into town where there are so many options for cafés, restaurants and other shops.
Below are two places we’ve stayed in Merimbula and we would recommend:
Sails Luxury Apartments Merimbula
Located right on the entrance to the Fishpen, Sails Luxury apartments all come with lake views. The apartments here are really large and fitted out with everything you’d need for a short stay. They are super modern and very comfortable. There are 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments available. There’s a heated pool if you want a change from the beach or lake.
Bayview Apartments Merimbula
Location, location, location! If it’s a beautiful, quiet spot on the Fishpen you seek, Bayview Apartments have you covered. It’s a short stroll across the road to Mitchie’s Wharf, so is perfect for the summer holiday. Whilst the apartments are not as large as Sails, this is a great place to stay if you want to be close to the lake’s activities.
Tathra
Smaller than Merimbula, but packing in so much natural beauty. The highlight of Tathra is the long surf beach that runs at the bottom of the town, and the wharf with the lookout. There are a small array of café’s, a fish and chip shop and a bowling club among others, so you won’t go hungry here.
There’s a more limited range of accommodation in Tathra, but below is a place we’ve stayed and loved:
Tathra Beach House Apartments
This resort-style accommodation is filled with self contained apartments. They range in size from small motel-size 2 bedroom rooms up to 3 bedroom villas.
The best villas at Tathra Beach House Apartments have the most stunning view out across the ocean. We were lucky enough to stay in one of these villas and could see whales playing off in the distance from our very own balcony. It was pure bliss.
This resort has arguably the best location in town too. Right across from the beach and in easy reach of the cafés and shops at the bottom end of town.
We hope this list of top things to do on the Sapphire Coast has been helpful for your travel planning. Have you explored this region before? Is there anything else you’d add to this list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
