Looking for things to do in Merimbula during your holiday?
There are many fun Merimbula day trips to take in the natural unspoilt beauty of the Sapphire Coast.
Some of the attractions within an hour’s drive from us include
- National Parks
- Historical sites
- Light-houses and
- Old whaling stations
Here are a few options to plan for your next visit.
Eden Killer Whale Museum And Wharf
Just 30 mins drive south of Merimbula are the beautiful bays of Eden and the Killer Whale Museum. The museum showcases the amazing stories of whaling in the 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Source: http://killerwhalemuseum.com.au/tours-exhibitions/exhibitions/
Learn about the incredible relationship between the legendary whalers of the time and the Killer Whales in Twofold Bay, Eden. Watch the short film highlighting this aspect – it’s entertaining for young and old.
After a visit to the museum, pick up some delicious seafood down at the wharf. Enjoy your meal at the picnic spots up on the headland overlooking the bay. More info on the Killer Whale Museum here: http://killerwhalemuseum.com.au/
Tathra Wharf And Kianinny Bay
Source: http://www.sapphirecoast.com.au/point-of-interest/kianinny-bay-tathra/
Tathra is a beautiful, 20 min drive north of Merimbula, set on an imposing headland overlooking the ocean. The historic wharf has beautiful views of the bay looking back to Tathra beach and over the water to Mimosa Rocks national park. The wharf has an excellent café with delicious produce sourced locally.
After a morning coffee at the wharf, pick up some award-winning Tathra oysters nearby and head off to Kianinny Bay for a picnic. There is a lovely grassy picnic area there with BBQ facilities and a sheltered inlet to the boat ramp. It’s a great spot for snorkeling, or just jump off the wharf for a swim. On your way down to the picnic area, stop at Chamberlains lookout for a bird’s eye view of the beautiful inlet and crystal clear water – a stunning sight!
Green Cape Lighthouse
Check out the tallest lighthouse in NSW. It is just over an hour’s drive south past Eden (Part of which is dirt road; suitable for 2-wheel drive). The lighthouse is set on the tip of a headland in Ben Boyd National Park with beautiful views looking over Disaster Bay.
Look out for the abundant wildlife in the area, including wallabies, sea eagles and there are fur seals to be spotted in the ocean. This is also a good whale-watching point during the southern migration from August to November. Explore the area after a picnic lunch, or book into one of the lighthouse keeper’s self-contained cottages for an overnight stay.
More information here: Green Cape Lighthouse
Ben Boyd Tower And Davidson Whaling Station
The tower is in Ben Boyd National Park about an hour south of Merimbula.
Source: http://www.sapphirecoast.com.au/point-of-interest/boyds-tower/
Standing at an imposing 23m high, Boyd’s Tower was built from sandstone by Ben Boyd in the mid 1800’s. It was initially built as a lighthouse but was actually used as a whale-sighting station. Take the short walk through the Tea trees from the car park which includes view points over the ocean. Enjoy the excellent views from the top of the tower; great for whale-watching during the season.
On the way back, stop in at the historic Davidson Whaling station. Learn about how the whaling station operated and how blubber was processed. Take a tour through the old historic 1890s weatherboard homestead and then enjoy a picnic down on the nearby beach.
Hope you enjoyed part one of things to do in Merimbula and look out for the next in this series!