From the NSW state capital Sydney south to the border, the south coast boasts a magnificent diversity of beaches and
headlands, national parks ... continue reading
The Illawarra is overlooked from the spectacular lookouts at the top of the Eastern Escarpment as you approach Wollongong,
driving south from Sydney ... continue reading
The Shoalhaven boasts a wide range of popular natural attractions. As well as its magnificent beaches and waterways,
the Shoalhaven is home to the ... continue reading
The incredibly beautiful Eurobodalla Coast covers over 100 kilometres of spectacular coastline and pristine hinterland
along the south coast of the ... continue reading
The Sapphire Coast, also known as the Bega Valley, is the most southerly coastal region in NSW. From Wallaga Lake in the north,
where you can go on ... continue reading
The Sapphire Coast
Also known as the Bega Valley, is the most southerly coastal region in NSW. From Wallaga Lake in the north, where you can go on a cultural tour with local aboriginals, through to Wonboyn Lake, a great fishing spot just north of the Victorian border, this region offers many alternatives for the tourist.
The northern coastal town of Bermagui is famous for its links to the author Zane Grey who often enjoyed gamefishing here. Fishing and tourism are still the town's main focuses.
The main commercial and government centre of the Sapphire Coast is Bega, a very typically Australian, large country town. The area has a very rich dairy farming industry and Bega Cheeses are famous both in Australia and overseas. Bega's coastal centre of Tathra is very popular with locals and holiday makers.
Merimbula is located around beautiful lakes and their entrance to the Pacific and along the neighbouring coast. Here holiday accommodation and activities abound. Pambula and Pambula Beach are both attractive smaller towns offering peaceful and central holiday destinations.
Further south, Eden is well known for its historical association as a centre for whaling and now for its fishing and timber industries. The whale museum here gives a fascinating insight into the history of the area and the industry.
Many smaller towns and quaint villages can be found in the region. The craft village of Cobargo for example is well worth a day trip during your visit to the region.
The quaint preserved tourist towns of Central Tilba and Tilba Tilba are in the Eurobodalla shire just north of the entry to the Sapphire Coast Region
Cobargo
Travelling south on the Princes Highway through the beautiful rolling hills of the northern entry to the Sapphire Coast brings you to the quaint town of Cobargo, from where you turn off if you are going to Bermagui.
Cobargo is steeped in history, having been established in the 1860's. It is now known for its excellent craft, antique and specialist shops and older style architecture. You can watch artisans at work in leather shops, woodworking and potting studios and refresh yourself at the several restaurants and coffee shops.
A stop or a day trip to Cobargo is a must for the visitor to the Sapphire Coast.
Wallaga Lake
Wallaga Lake in the north of the region is a place of significant meaning to the local Yuin Aboriginal people and hosts a cultural centre containing many displays, artefacts and art works which provide the visitor with an insight into the Yuin history and culture.
One of the largest lakes on the coast, Wallaga Lake is also known for its great fishing as well as the peace and tranquillity of an beautiful unspoiled natural environment (now protected as the Wallaga Lake National Park).
Bermagui
On the coast east of Cobargo is Bermagui, widely known as a centre for big game fishing.
But Bermagui is much more than this with beautiful beaches and coastal scenes and a thriving small town offering quality accommodation, dining and shopping alternatives.
Bega is the region's commercial and government centre and hosts a major rural business district. Many local, state and commonwealth government offices service the region from here.
The main industries in the district are dairying, timber and tourism. Bega Cheese is widely known throughout Australia and a visit to the factory is a must for the visitor.
Bega is centrally located for visiting the many different attractions of the sapphire Coast, both south and north.
Tathra is a small but busy coastal town situated between Merimbula and Bermagui and less than twenty minutes east of Bega.
Tathra is a popular coastal retreat enjoyed by many families during the typical Aussie summer holidays. But even outside holiday times, Tathra offers beautiful beaches and excellent services to the visitor.
The magnificent Mimosa Rocks National Park is best entered by way of the sealed road leading north from Tathra while travelling south takes you to the Bournda National Park.
On the road to Cooma and Canberra, don't miss the famous pies and specialty shops at Bemboka. Magnificent views over much of the Sapphire Coast can be enjoyed at Pipers Lookout nearby.
Candelo still has many of its older buildings and offers an attractive village atmosphere to the visitor with a well known market day each month.
From Candelo you can drive south through other interesting towns of the region and back to the coastal resorts or west to Bemboka and thence to Cooma, Canberra and the snowfields.
Southern Region
Tura Beach
Just north of Merimbula is the new town of Tura Beach which has developed as a modern, well equipped beachside resort.
Tura has a beautiful beach with good access for the visitor. It features a great golf course and modern shopping complex and is popular as a holiday and retirement destination.
Merimbula is the holiday resort of the Sapphire Coast, drawing many visitors to enjoy its many beaches, fishing delights and wide variety of clubs, restaurants and shopping alternatives.
The airport at Merimbula provides a convenient access for those travelling by air.
Wyndham is located in the Sapphire Coast hinterland, reached by travelling south from Bega and Candelo or west from Pambula through beautiful forested country.
The early history of Wyndham is reflected in the historic buildings and craft centres in the town.
Pambula
Pambula and Pambula Beach are interesting towns providing the visitor with further beautiful beaches as well as varied shopping and browsing in the many craft and specialty shops in the town.
Eden, to the far south of the region is famous for its exceptional whale watching opportunities for the visitor and its rich history associated with the whaling and timber industries.
Located on beautiful Twofold Bay, Eden and the countryside around it offers unique experiences to the visitor to the region.
Eden is located on the beautiful deepwater Twofold Bay. Whales are known to enter the bay giving the visitor a unique whale-watching experience.
Even when it is whale free however, there are many other aspects of the bay that are of interest. You can wander along the wharves and watch the trawlers unload their catches; you can visit historic Boydtown, the Old Davidson Whaling Station, Boyd's Tower or the woodchip mills and forest boundaries on the southern shores.
Boytown
Boydtown on the western shore of Twofold Bay contains the historic buildings and tower erected last century by Ben Boyd during the whaling boom in the region.
Green Cape
Green Cape hosts the most southerly light house in NSW overlooking Disaster Bay, so named after the wreck of the Lyee Moon last century, which is documented on a plaque at the lighthouse.
You reach Green Cape through the Ben Boyd National Park and bush camping is available at the beautiful waterside locations of Saltwater Creek and Bitangabee.
Wonboyn
Lake Wonboyn, between the Ben Boyd National Park and the Nadgee Nature Reserve wilderness is known for its great lake fishing and beautiful unspoiled environment.
The small village of Wonboyn on the southern side of the lake has cabins, caravan park, general store and boat launching. On the northern shore the resort offers more facilities including boat hire.
Located some 30km south of Eden, Wonboyn is the place to go if you want peace, solitude and great fishing.
