This is Top Lake, the smaller of the lakes that Merimbula is nestled around. It’s late afternoon, and while on the beach side it is blowing a gale, the lake is peaceful enough.
Lake side.
Beach side.
The only activity on the lake are the birds having their afternoon feed and an eager parasailer.
Ah, Merimbula – the jewel of the Far South Coast. I was so surprised at how pretty the area is on the drive past Moruya. Towns on the banks of spectacular rivers, backed by long beaches and craggy hills. It beats anything near close to Sydney coast-wise – and it is unspoiled in comparison to the North Coast, or any other coast in NSW.
Merimbula is about the most developed town in the area, but it’s still only a fraction the size of Port Macquarie. I can see why people have chosen to settle here. It’s nestled in between two lakes, backed by long, sandy beaches. It makes for some great swimming spots, such as Bar Beach below – a sheltered beach just inside the inlet that the locals head for when it’s blowy elsewhere.
Now we’re getting to the pointy end of the journey. Tathra is right in the heart of the Sapphire Coast of NSW. It’s sleepy little place, with a long, long beach, and a really old pier that’s really popular with fisher-people.
Always wanted to visit this little place in Murramarang National Park, about 22km north of Batemans Bay. It’s known for being a gem of a spot with good camp ground and an active colony of roos. Well, since it was mid morning, there wasn’t a kangaroo in sight, although there was plenty of ‘evidence’ (ie. roo poo). Unfortunately it was a tad too cold for my liking to go out for a swim, plus I had quite a long journey still ahead of me – driving all the way down to Merimbula.
I’m continuing this theme all the way down the NSW coast now, starting with Mollymook. It’s a pretty nice stretch of beach, there, with a rock platform at one end and a high bluff at the other. It is rather suburban now, but when compared to some towns on the North Coast, it really isn’t too bad.
I’m back from holidays! Will starting posting on my adventures soon, but in the meantime, hope you all have a great Christmas Day with your families.
A peaceful scene from Jamberoo Abbey to send you on your way…
Jervis Bay and the beautiful Hyams Beach, which apparently has the whitest sands in the world. Beautiful any time of year, this photo was taken in August, hence why it is so deserted. Doubt it will be the case at the moment with only 2 weeks until Christmas!
This is the end of the line for now. And I’ll also bid you farewell for a little while while I take my pre-Christmas holiday. When I come back I’ll be extending this theme much, much further since I’m heading all the way down to Merimbula.
One of my favourite spots is Gerroa, at the top of Seven Mile Beach. Usually I’d post a view down the beach, but a view up the beach is also interesting, especially when it’s super windy (which it is most of the time), and little sand storms develop.
Gerringong is Kiama’s more down-to-earth sister. Less touristy, but is still expanding, judging by the development on the edge of town. Fortunately there are some brilliant nooks and crannies, like Boat Harbour with its small colony of pelicans and secluded rock pool. The locals say this is the best place to swim of a morning.
The prime tourist attraction in Kiama is the (big) Blowhole, however the Little Blowhole, located in a more secluded part of the town, is much more consistent.
Static and Silence 