South Coast

‘Fish’ is one thing I relate to the South Coast. I’ve caught bream in Lake Conjola, a heap of flathead off Merimbula and some fine big thingummies (I can’t tell a Wahoo from Whatsy) in the deep waters off Bermagui. A quick tip for those going on deep-sea fishing charters: no matter what your track record with seasickness, take a couple of motion sickness pills before heading off. Swells are unpredictable and chances are someone else on the boat will go green-gilled and start throwing burly over the side. It’s easy to go out in sympathy, making the day a waste of time and money.

Wollongong is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘sound of the sea’ and you can hear that at any of the city’s 17 surf beaches. For those wanting a little Zen, the Nan Tien Temple is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Nowra is a touristy town and the main town in the Shoalhaven region. Jervis Bay, technically, doesn’t belong here as it’s Canberra’s seaport (every capital has to have a port). It offers excellent diving and dolphin cruises. Ulladulla is on a nice stretch of coast with white, sandy beaches, lakes and lagoons and, again, the fishing’s good. In Batemans Bay, head to the waterfront for some succulent Clyde River oysters and sweet crayfish. There’s the river and ocean to play in here, so houseboat hire and fishing charters are big.

Narooma is a popular fishing and whale-watching town (September to November) with good wreck diving. A half-hour boat ride away is Montague Island and is home to a variety of seabirds, fur seals and colonies of some 16 000 Little penguins.

Central Tilba is a delightful National Trust village with lots of cafes, galleries and arts & craft shops. Early evening prawning under the estuary bridge can be fun in Bermagui. Bega’s a bit inland and boasts that you can surf and ski in the same day from here. It’s only an hour or so to Cooma and fifteen minutes from the coast.

Tathra is an excellent spot for a family holiday with its patrolled 3-kilometre surf beach and safe swimming for littlies at the mouth of the Bega River.

For diving and deep-sea fishing, head to Kianinny Bay. Another safe, family fun holiday spot is Merimbula.

Go prawning, hire a boat for muck about on the lake or hit the beach for a surf. At Pambula Beach (10 kilometres south) you’ll find kangaroos and wallabies on the beach in the early morning and at dusk.

Eden is a former whaling town with a most spectacular natural harbour. It’s still a whaling town, offering watching from platforms and cruises in October and November. The Killer Whale Museum in Imlay Street is worth a visit. Ben Boyd National Park has outstanding scenery and Boydtown has the still-licensed convict-built Seahorse Inn, a safe swimming beach and, of course, fishing.

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