Why visit the South Coast?
Eden
One popular spot on the South Coast and Sapphire Coast is Eden, where the marine life is just as spectacular as the beaches. This area has a long whaling heritage, and a great way to search for the creatures yourself is on a humpback whale-watching tour. When you're not in search of the big marine mammals, snorkel or scuba dive to spot sea dragons and blue groupers. Fishing, bushwalking, snorkelling and kayaking are among the most exciting ways to experience Eden.
Merimbula
Dreamy Merimbula, which means ‘two lakes’ in the local Aboriginal language, has two main attractions: the sea and its coastal lakes. Line up out back with the surfers on Merimbula Main Beach or take on the gentler waters of the lakes for watersports like kayaking and sailing. Snorkelling, diving and whale-watching trips are other activities you can get stuck into here.
Broulee
Broulee may be just a small Eurobodalla village, but it’s an excellent spot for fans of the outdoors. Whether you’re bushwalking around the Broulee Island Reserve, surfing at Pinks Point or spotting stingrays and soldier crabs on a kayak trip around the estuary, Broulee has plenty of opportunities for an active break.
Kiama
Kiama Blowhole rates highly on many people’s travel lists, and rightly so. The blowhole has a blast that reaches 20 metres in height. With national parks and beaches nearby, those who set sail for Kiama can also expect to hike along the coast, tackle rainforest trails or track down waterfalls.
Wollongong
Wollongong, fondly referred to by locals as just the Gong, is a stop along the Grand Pacific Drive. The highlight reel in the Gong includes a large boating lagoon, a Buddhist temple and the grand Sea Cliff Bridge. You might choose to sojourn in the Gong for coastal cycle rides, lively bars or more adventurous activities like skydiving, hang gliding or helicopter tours.
Unexplored South Coast
Shellharbour
Compared to its neighbours, Shellharbour is still relatively under the radar. It has its very own National Surfing Reserve in Killalea, as well as plenty of popular surf breaks, like the Mystics at Minnamurra Beach. There’s also a scuba diving centre that organises trips to 19th-century shipwrecks just off Shellharbour.
Yamba
If you’re yet to visit Yamba, you’re in for a treat. Based alongside the Clarence River, the town has five beaches, and it’s a less busy alternative to the nearby Byron Bay. More and more surf clubs are cropping up in Yamba, and there are farmers' markets suited for a post-surf smoothie or burger.
Climbing, caving and abseiling
While much of the action on the south coast is centred around activities on the water or beach, it’s also a hot destination for climbing, caving and abseiling. Experienced climbers can scale the crags over Shoalhaven River, while newer climbers can take a guided climbing tour or try out Thompson’s Point.
Here’s how
With over 1,000 miles of gorgeous landscapes along the south coast, deciding where to settle down is the tricky part. Before anything else, you should narrow down the area you want to stay in based on the activities you’re seeking out: are you looking for surf, rainforest, gentle family-friendly beaches or whale watching tours?
The second step is picking the type of accommodation for your break. You could get back to basics with traditional tent pitches or choose to keep some of your creature comforts at a glamping site. Those road tripping might be looking for a site that has motorhome pitches too.
Click on the links below to see some of our popular South Coast collections:
South Coast not for you? Aside from New South Wales, neighbouring areas like the Mid North Coast, Hunter or the Northern Rivers have other excellent accommodation options.
