New South Wales ­ South

Batemans Bay
Population 9600
Batemans Bay is situated on the Clyde River Estuary, at the foot of Clyde Mountain, 306 km (190 miles) south of Sydney.

Climate
Average temperatures: January max 23C (73F) - min 16C (61F); July max 16C (61F) - min 6C (43F). The average annual rainfall: 916mm (36 in). The hours of sunshine per day are 7 in summer and 6 in autumn, winter and spring.

Characteristics
Batemans Bay is a weekend and holiday retreat for people from Canberra. The beaches of the area are clear and clean with superb fishing. It has all the facilities of a beach resort but it is all very understated. It is the only place where the commercial fishing trawlers are permitted to sell their catch direct to the public. The general atmosphere is very friendly; strangers smile and say hello in the street.

How to Get There
By Air
Hazelton Airlines, 13 1713, fly to Moruya and Merimbula from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, with at least two flights daily.

By Bus
Priors Scenic Express operates between Sydney and the Eurobodalla Coast, with a focus on the sightseeing opportunities of the trip, 1800 816 234.
Murrays offer daily services from Canberra, 132 251.
V-Line have a combined road/rail service between Melbourne and Batemans Bay, 132 232.

By Rail
The trains from Sydney, 13 2232, terminate at Bombaderry, on the northern side of the Shoalhaven River, so you will have to organise an alternative form of transport to complete the trip south, be it a hire car or one of the coach services listed above.

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By Car
From Sydney and Melbourne, via the Princes Highway - 279km (173 miles) from Sydney and 769km (478 miles) from Melbourne.
From Canberra it is 150km (93 miles) along the Kings Highway.

Visitor Information
The Eurobodalla Visitor Information Centre, cnr Princes Highway and Beach Road, Batemans Bay, (02) 4472 6900 or 1800 802 528, is open daily 9am-5pm (closed Christmas Day). Email them at info@naturecoast-tourism. com.au or visit their website at www.naturecoast-tourism. com.au

Accommodation
Batemans Bay, as with most towns on the south coast of New South Wales, is well endowed with a variety of accommodation. Although motels and holiday units dominate, you can usually rent out cottages in the area at reasonable prices, outside of school holiday periods. Contact Estate Agents in the area or the local Visitor Centre.

Prices vary considerably depending on the standard of accom-modation and the season. Here we have a selection, with prices for a double room per night, which should be used as a guide only. The telephone area code is 02.

Reef Motor Inn, 27 Clyde Street, 4472 6000. 33 units, licensed restaurant, swimming pool, spa, barbecue - $105-195.
Lincoln Downs Country Resort, Princes Highway, Surfside, 4472 6388. 33 units, 7 suites, licensed restaurant, pool, tennis courts, barbecue - $100-160.
Argyle Terrace Motor Inn, 32 Beach Road, 4472 5022. 9 units, swimming pool, barbecue - $155-160.
Hanging Rock Golf Club Family, Beach Road, 4472 4466. 27 units, playground, barbecue, swimming pool - $55-60.

Holiday Units
These listed are self contained units with all the 'mod-cons'.
Del Costa Holiday Villas, 54 Beach Road, 4472 6260. 15 units - $65-130.
The Beach House, 22 Myamba Parade, 4472 4086. 1 cottage - $95-130.
Caravan Parks
Easts Riverside Holiday Park, Wharf Road, 4472 4048. (No dogs allowed) 47 sites - powered sites $22-36, cabins $60-210.
Coachhouse Marina Resort, Beach Road, 4472 4392. (No dogs allowed) - powered sites $25-35 for two, on-site vans $40-100 for two.
Shady Willows Tourist Park, Old Princes Highway, 4472 4972. (Dogs may be permitted on application) - powered sites $15-25 for two, on-site vans $35-70 for two, cabins $40-100 for two.

There is a Youth Hostel on the corner of Old Princes Highway and South Street, 4472 4972. It has 11 rooms at $18 per person twin share.

Eating Out
The area boasts fine restaurants with particularly good fish dishes. Most of the larger motels have licensed restaurants which can be recommended. There are also a good number of Clubs - Bowling (4472 4502), Golf (4472 4967), Returned Servicemen (4472 4847) - that also contain restaurants. Here are some additional venues.

Briars, Lincoln Downs, Princess Highway, 4472 6388. †Licensed, seafood and meat dishes, open daily.
Trappers Seafood Restaurant, 26 Princes Highway, 4472 5888. Licensed, a la carte but seafood specialty, open daily.
Gallery, Catalina Country Club, part of the golf club, 4472 4967. Licensed, a la carte, open daily. Also has the Garden Bistro, light snacks to grills with a kids' playground.
Innes' Boatshed, Clyde Street, 4472 4052. BYO, family restaurant, seafood caught by the chef, open daily.
Rafters, 28 Beach Road, 4472 4288. BYO, a la carte, open daily.
Mexican Munchies, Annetts Arcade, Orient Street, 4472 8746. Authentic Mexican dishes.
Raymond's, 19 Clyde Street, 4472 5700. Chinese cuisine, open daily.
Pinky's Pizza, 3 Clyde Street, 4472 3073.
Vietnamese, Thai & Malaysian, Shop 7, Bay Plaza Centre, Orient Street, 4472 7274.
McDonalds is on the corner of Hill and Vesper Streets and KFC is on the Princes Highway.

Points of Interest
The population increases to approximately 90,000 during the peak holiday season (from about mid December to early February). Batemans Bay has 16 golden beaches, with some sheltered calm waters. McKenzie's Beach is a small beach that has consistent small to medium waves, with the best area at Malua Bay, south of the Surf Club.

To the north, there are several good beaches including South Durras near Wasp Head, and Depot, Pebbly and Merry beaches accessible through Murramarang National Park.

The Clyde River, which is quite a spectacular waterway, is navigable for 51km (32 miles) from Batemans Bay up into the hills. Regular cruises are available up to Nelligen, which boasts a number of historically significant buildings. The MV Merinda offers a great time out on the Clyde River (4472 4052), or you can hire a boat in the town for your own 'explore and see', combined with a little fishing.

The area is well known for its fishing. Durras Lake, to the north of Batemans Bay, has flathead, whiting and bream, and various points and bays between there and North Head offer other good spots. Up from the town near the oyster beds and the mangrove flats on the Clyde River, many people catch whiting, mulloway and bream. There is also quite a deal of fishing from the bank around the town. To the south, Malua Bay and Pretty Point are perhaps the most popular spots.

There are many National Parks and forests in the region, and maps are available from the Visitors Centre. The nearest one to Batemans Bay is Murramarang, which lies between South Durras and North Head. Access is via the Princes Highway and Durras Road, and there are six well-defined walks beginning from the road.

Walks from the town include:
1. Beach walk from Clyde River to Cullendulla Creek - about 3 km (2 miles) long around the coast. Easy, okay for kids.
2. Guerilla Bay to the lighthouse - 1.5km (1 mile).
3. Along the Princes Highway to the Round Hill Fire Tower.
There are many other coastal walks recommended by the Visitors †Centre.

The Birdland Animal Park at 55 Beach Road is hopen 9.30am-4pm daily. It includes 'Wombat World', snake demonstrations, an animal nursery, a koala exhibit, and a scale model train. Admission is $8 adults, $5 children and $7 for families, 4472 5364.

The Historical Society Museum is in the old court house, cnr Beach Road and Orient Street, and is open Thu-Sat 1pm-4pm, 4472 8993.

The Mogo Goldfields, on the Tomakin Road near Mogo Village 15km (9 miles) from town, are open weekend and school holidays, 10am-4pm. There is a guided tour of the old underground gold mine. You can camp here with all the amenities, 4471 7381. The Village is open most of the time and depicts a bygone era. It is well-known for its art and craft shops.

Festivals
The Neptune Festival is held each November.

Facilities
Boat, catamaran and sailboard hire, golf, tennis, lawn bowls and ten-pin bowling are all provided for in the area.

 

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Outlying Attractions
Burrill Lake
Situated 5km (3 miles) south of Ulladulla, Burrill Lake is crossed by the Princes Highway at its eastern arm, but the main expanse reaches inland almost to the township of Milton. The inlet and beach are to the east of the Highway, and if you take the road to Dolphin Point and follow Seaside Parade you will come to the picnic area, rock platforms and popular fishing spots. Accommodation is available in caravan parks, motels and holiday units close to the lake and beach.

Burrill Lake offers boating, sailing, lake and beach fishing, surfing, swimming, windsurfing and prawning in season. Boats can be hired, and there are three launching ramps. A boat hire service, 4454 0951 operates from the reserve on the foreshores in Moore Street.

At Bungalow Park, you can feed the lorikeets, which arrive at 8am and 3pm (during daylight saving 9am and 4pm), or play mini-golf on a course which is a replica of the Mollymook Hilltop Golf Course. There are also boats available for hire, 4455 1621.

Moruya
The town of Moruya is 27km (17 miles) south of Batemans Bay on the Princes Highway. It has some fine old buildings, including the Wesleyan Church built in 1864 with local granite. The airport, which caters for the area, is on the north headland of the river entrance. South Moruya has a fine surf beach.
Accommodation is not plentiful in the area, since Batemans Bay to the north and Narooma in the south provide such facilities. If you are planning to stay here, however, there are a limited number of motels, lodges, guesthouses and B&Bs to choose from. Most are along the Princes Highway, so keep an eye out as you drive through.

The area has excellent fishing in the Deua River with its mangrove swamps, and along the various coastal headlands. Surfing is great from Moruya Heads to Congo, North Head, Broulee South, North Broulee, Pink Rocks (off the north face of Broulee Island - experienced riders only, 6m waves) and Mossy Point near the mouth of the Tomago River.

Behind Moruya, along the Araluen Road, is the 81,158 ha (200,460 acres) Deua National Park which extends up the coastal ranges to Batemans Bay. You can try hiking - good luck and be sure to let the ranger know your plans.

Moruya has an Historical Museum in 85 Campbell Street, open Mon & Fri 11am-3pm and on Saturdays 11am-1pm (during peak Christmas and Easter seasons it open daily). Admission is $2 adults and 50 cents for children.

Each Saturday from 9am the Moruya Country Markets are held in Shore Street, and the Congo Crafts Gallery, 4474 2931, is open Wed-Mon 11am-5pm during school holidays, but it's best to phone beforehand.

Kiora House, along the Araluen Road, is a National Trust classified building that offers quaint old world charm. There is no public access to this building, but its recollections of colonial heritage can be admired from the street.

Moruya boasts a speedway, and a horse racing complex together with golf courses, tennis and bowling clubs.

Bodalla
24km (15 miles) south along the Princes Highway is the town of Bodalla, made famous by Bega cheese which uses it as a brand name. The All Saints Church is one of several photogenic buildings in this attractive little town. Just before Bodalla is the turnoff to Tuross Head, where you can hire boats for fishing and boating on the lake of the same name.

Narooma
This town is 44km (27 miles) south of Moruya, on the estuary of the Wagonga River. It is another popular fishing resort with excellent beaches for surfing (Mystery Bay, Handkerchief Beach, Narooma Main Beach, Bar Beach, Dalmeny Point, Potato Point, Blackfellows Point and Tuross Head). It has a narrow channel that leads to a small harbour. As with the other towns on the south coast, it offers excellent bushwalks and is very much a family holiday area.

Montague Island, 8km (5 miles) offshore, is a flora and fauna reserve, and the area around there is well known for its game fishing. The island is the halfway point in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Contact the Narooma Visitors Centre, Princes Highway, hopen every day except Christmas Day 9am-5pm, (02) 4476 2881 or 1800 802 528, with any queries, or to assist in booking accommodation, restaurants or tours. Alternatively, you can email them at: eurovcn@acr.net.au †or visit the website at www.naturecoast-tourism.com.au

Central Tilba
21km (13 miles) south is Central Tilba, which neighbors Tilba Tilba. Both of these tiny settlements are in the shadow of an ancient volcano, Mount Dromedary. Situated in rather pleasant hilly country at the base of Mt Dromedary, Central Tilba has become a tourist spot with art and craft shops, an old wooden general store, a cobblers cottage, a pub, and a quaint restaurant with displays of the traditional crafts. A pleasant day excursion from Narooma.

Cobargo
This village is 19km from Central Tilba. It has various cottage industries of pottery and leather, art and craft galleries, and a pub. You can turn off here for Bermagui, or it can be reached by turning off at Tilba Tilba and going along the coast road and crossing Wallaga Lake.

Bermagui
Located on the coast 18km (11 miles) from Cobargo, Bermagui is the mecca for big game fishing in New South Wales, and was made famous in the 1930s by the novelist Zane Grey. Today a large fishing fleet operates out of Bermagui, and game fishermen from all over come for the sport between November and May. Charter boats are available (for example, Blue Water Charters, Endevour Drive, 6493 4540) for pleasure cruising or game fishing, and the harbour has a boat ramp and provision for trailer parking.

Swimming and surfing are again the other main diversions - at Blue Pool, Horseshoe Bay and Wallaga Lake. Water skiing is the go on Wallaga Lake.

Bega
The town of Bega is 170km (106 miles) south of Batemans Bay, and 80km (50 miles) south of Narooma. It is the commercial centre of the district with a population above 4000. The district is famous for its dairy industry and cheeses.

The Bega Cheese Heritage Centre on the northern side of the Bega River, Lagoon Street, 6491 7777, is open for inspection and tasting daily 9am-5pm.

The Bega Family Museum, cnr Auckland and Bega Streets, is open Mon-Fri 10.30am-4pm, Sat 10am-12pm, 6492 1453.

Brogo Valley's Rotolactor is 23km (14 miles) north of Bega on Baldwin Road, Brogo, and is open to the public Mon & Wed 2-5pm, with milking at 3pm, 6493 8330.

The Grevillea Estate winery and vineyards is on the Buckajo Road, 6492 3006.

Mumbulla Falls Picnic Area, 20km (12 miles) north of Bega off the Princes Highway along a gravel road, is a very pleasant spot for picnics and a swim. Because of the gravel road, only try it in dry weather.

The largest farm in the Bega Valley is Kameruka Estate which is classified by the National Trust. The homestead is set in extensive gardens, with its own church and clock-tower. It is open daily, 6492 0509.

Candelo Village, situated 20km (12 miles) south-west, still retains its old world charm with galleries and restaurants. It is a pleasant place for afternoon tea after a short drive.

Mimosa Rocks National Park, sprawls across its 17km coastal stretch north of Tathra and east of Mt Gearge Mountain. It is a perfect site for a picnic, and for enjoying the natural wonders of landscape and wildlife. Camping areas are also available, and it is best to discuss plans and ideas with the Tourist Information Centre, 6492 3313.

The Sapphire Coast Tourist Information Centre, Office 2, 163 Auckland Street, Bega, (02) 6492 3313 or 1800 663 012, tends to be the arrival and departure point for coaches, and is the place to obtain assistance for accommodation and suggestions on where to dine. If you have internet access, or are planning your holiday from home, contact them at info@ sapphirecoast.com.au, or visit the web page at www.sapphirecoast. com.au

Tathra
Tathra is a quiet seaside village 18km (11 miles) east of Bega, with a beautiful beach and great fishing spots. Tathra offers the best of both worlds: beautiful beaches with ocean activities as well as the opportunity to explore the †wildlife of nearby Mimosa and Bournda National Parks. There is a campground at Bournda National Park with very basic facilities for $10-15 a night for two, 6495 4130.

Tathra Tourist Centre on Tathra Wharf, Wharf Road, 6494 4062, is the best place to find out what you wish to know. The local people are very friendly and helpful.

Merimbula
This flourishing resort town on Lake Merimbula is 26km (16 miles) south of Bega. Merimbula is an activity-based centre, with surfing on Main Beach, Short Point and Tura Beach, sailboarding and water skiing on Lake Merimbula, golf at the 27-hole Pambula-Merimbula golf course, lawn bowls at the ubiquitous bowling clubs and a variety of other activities - tennis, canoeing, horseriding and cycling. It has an RSL club with 'pokies' and live entertainment.

The Magic Mountain Family Recreation Park, with its water slides, mini Grand Prix race track and mountain toboggan slide, is just north of the town on Coast Drive, 6495 2299. The park opens at 10am and admission is $22 adults, $14 children 5-7 years old and $18 children aged 8-11. The area also boasts an Aquarium (Lake Street, 6495 4446), Yellow Pinch Wildlife Park (Princes Highway, 6494 9225), Milingandi Leisure Farm (6495 6125) and a Museum in Main Street.

The Tourist Information Centre is on Beach Street, 6495 1129, open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-1pm. This is the place to get all the information on available accommodation, of which there is plenty.

Eden
Eden is situated some 61km (38 miles) south of Bega, on Twofold Bay. A former whaling station, it is now a deep water fishing port, and the fishing and timber industries are of utmost importance to the survival of the town.

The town's Killer Whale Museum, 94 Imlay Street, 6496 2094, gives an overview of Eden's history, and houses the skeleton of 'Old Tom' a legendary whale from the area. Also featured is the Seaman's Memorial Wall, commemorating those lost at sea. The museum has limited opening times daily.

The Ben Boyd National Park flanks Twofold Bay to the north, with its famous Red Cliffs, and borders historic Boyd's Tower to the south. You can camp in the park, and at East Boyd Bay the Forestry Commission runs the Edrom Lodge for students.

For more information on accommodation and things to do, contact the Eden Tourist Information Office, Princes Highway (at the round-about), 6496 1953. It is open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-noon.

Wonboyn Lake
The locals are proud of Wonboyn Lake, some 30km (19 miles) south of Eden, and surrounded by Ben Boyd National Park and Nadgee Nature Reserve. In addition to the stunning scenery of Ben Boyd and Nadgee, Wonboyn has a reputation for the finest lake fishing on the Sapphire Coast.