Things to do in and around Merimbula
Whale Watching
Every year from Mid-August to the end of November, whales make their annual migration past Merimbula and up the Eastern seaboard of Australia
Merimbula is one the most unique places in the world to get up close to these remarkable mammals because you will be able to watch the Humpback Whales Lunge Feeding.
It’s an amazing experience to see whales in their natural habitat and one you must not miss.
Merimbula Restaurants
According to TripAdvisor you have over 50 restaurants and eateries in and around Merimbula to choose from and it truly is a culinary delight to suit almost every palate.
CLICK HERE to choose based on your preference and TripAdvisor reviews
Wheelers Seafood Restaurant
Wheelers is a licensed seafood restaurant located between Merimbula and Pambula serving own grown oysters and local seafood.
Merimbula Aquarium and Wharf Restaurant
Merimbula Wharf Restaurant, has great views overlooking the bay, they are a friendly lot, its licensed and has great great food, plus you have the unique opportunity to check out their aquarium too
Tura Beach bowls club is located at the Country Club
The biggest little brewery and Oyster Bar on the NSW Sapphire Coast.
The Oyster Barn
The Oyster Barn is at Millangandi on the Highway between Merimbula and Pambula
Golf Courses in and around Merimbula
Tura Beach Country Club
Tura Beach Country Club is a Peter Thomson designed Championship course which will challenge any level of golfer. The club house boosts million dollar views as it overlooks the leafy course nestled amongst houses and has the Pacific Ocean as a beautiful backdrop. The course has been rated number 17 in New South Wales and number 92 in Australia.
Pambula Merimbula Golf Club
Pambula-Merimbula Golf Club is 27 hole resort style course which makes your game easy to enjoy. Enjoy large, subtle greens and lush fairways set amongst the natural beauty of native bush land and the lake, with abundant wildlife all around including lots of local kangaroos.
Bermagui Country Club
Bermagui Country Club commands some amazing views over Horseshoe Bay and the seaside town of Bermagui. Don’t be fooled by the views though because this is a seriously challenging golf course and can be quite a walk, so you might need to grab a cart.
Bega Country Club
The Bega Country Club at Tarraganda is just a short 20 minute drive from Merimbula. Here you will find things move at a different pace, even to Merimbula. The golf course is nestled amongst towering gumtrees with lush green fairways and well-manicured greens, it certainly fits the picture of grazing land, which is famous for producing Bega Cheese.
Eden Gardens Country Club
Eden Gardens Country Club features magnificent lush grass greens and wide fairways set amongst majestic native gum trees, which are sure to challenge and excite both the experienced and novice golfer alike. The only distractions you’ll find are the chorus of birdlife and the occasional kangaroo grazing on the fairways, and the only thing missing is the crowds.
Bowling Clubs
Merimbula Imlay Bowling Club in the heart of Merimbula.
Lawn Bowls
Locally the Merimbula-Imlay Bowling Club is known as the Award Winning Club Sapphire and visitors are welcome and both outdoor and indoor carpet bowls is played in the usual friendly laid back lifestyle that Merimbula offers. Bowls can be supplied for visitors, coaching is available,
For Bookings and more information call the office on 02 6495 1306
Indoor Carpet Bowls
Indoor carpet bowls games are played on a Tuesday evening at 7.00pm for about 2.5 hours with a light social supper afterwards, come along and play or just watch.
If you want to play you need to register by 6.30pm on the day.
For more information, call the office on 02 6495 1306.
Barefoot Bowls
Available at selected times throughout the summer school holidays and at other times by appointment for groups of 10 or more and is suitable for children from 8 years, you get 2 hours of bowls, music, equipment hire and basic tuition.
Live Entertainment, Club Sapphire Merimbula
The Club Sapphire Merimbula Live Entertainment is with easy walking distance from our Motel
Yay! You don’t need a driver to stay under the legal limit, you can have a great night out with your family or friends
The Club Sapphire is an Award Winning Venue that regularly has a wide variety of live entertainment to suit everyone. Click on the link, find out what’s on and book.
It really is a great venue for meals and drinks with family and friends and then take in a live show afterwards.
Ask us about our Club Sapphire Live Entertainment Packages!
Merimbula Marina
Merimbula Marina, is rated as the #1 Activity in Merimbula by TripAdvisor , has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence and has a score of 146 excellent reviews, and 15 very good out of 177 reviews at the time of posting this information on our website.
They offer a range of fun things to Whale Watching(Seasonal) is a must do in the pristine waters off Merimbula. PS. check out there 100% Guarantee.
Discovery Tours taking in the sights of Merimbula Bay where you will regularly see Bottlenosed and Common Dolphins , Fur Seals and a wide variety of birdlife.
True Blue Fishing Charters, make it really easy to go fishing offshore or onshore for the beginner and experienced fisherman. As experts, they will drop you right on the spot to catch a wide variety of fish species
Self Drive Hire Boats, they are easy to drive, you don’t need a license and is a great way to do “your own thing” home of the True Blue. Whale watching, dolphin watching and fishing charters.
Fun for Kids in Merimbula
Top Fun
Some of the best kids activities in Merimbula will be at Top Fun, they have more than 40 games and amusements to choose from to test their skills and have lots of fun
Magic Mountain
Family Fun Park Merimbula is rated #1 of 17 things to do in Merimbula by TripAdvisor and has received a Certificate of Excellence.
Educational Talks
Twice daily they have educational tours that are guaranteed to leave you enriched by the experience. Click here and check their website out for current tours times.
Animal Encounters
This is a very special one on one with the native animal of your choice, such as a Koala encounter, Dingo encounter, snake or lizard encounter.
You will get up close enough to touch and experience the beauty of Australia’s unique native wildlife and it will be a life changing moment that you will remember for the rest of your days.
Surfing Lessons
Coastlife adventures offers surfing lessons for kids from as young as five years. If you love surfing or have always wanted to learn how to do it, holidaying in Merimbula is a good chance for you to learn the tips and tricks and become a great surfer.
Kayaking
If surfing doesn’t interest the kids, you can opt for kayaking along river Bega or along the coastline. Another great alternative is the stand up paddling which is easy to learn. The minimum age for this is 7 and 12 years.
Stand Up Paddle (SUP)
Over the years StandUp Paddle which is commonly referred to as SUPPING has become a popular passtime around globe and one of the activities offered by Coastlife adventures at the Merimbula bar. CLICK HERE for more information.
Charters & Cruises
Fishpen Charters
A family owned and operated business for over 23 years and their is not much they don’t know about fishing around Merimbula.
Fishing Charters, they specialise in reef fishing and family trips or you can arrange private charters, they willl supply all the gear AND clean your catch for you (Yay!!).
Kayaks and SUP Hire, (Stand Up Paddle boards) and this can be real fun for all ages.
The Cat Balou
Brad and Lana Wills have been owner operator of Cat Balou Cruise since 1987 and are regarded as one of the most experienced whale watching operators in NSW and often assist various research groups they have a whale watch guarantee.
They have earned a Certificate of Excellence with TripAdvisor and out of 196 reviews 171 are rated as excellent at the time of posting this information on our website.
They also have Twofold Bay cruises all year round.
Mitchies Jetty, is an iconic attraction in Merimbula and a must visit while you stay with us.
The Great Southern Trike Tours is the coolest way to see the Sapphire Coast
www.greatsoutherntriketours.com.au
Sapphire Coast Turf Club
Sapphire Coast Turf Club is located on a picturesque 300 acre site on Sapphire Coast Drive at Kalaru, between Merimbula and Bega and Tathra. It is one of the newest and most modern country racecourses in NSW with great spectator facilities. Patrons can enjoy an unobstructed view of the racing action from most parts of the course including the Members, Reserve and Function Centre and from the large, banked lawn areas.
We hold twelve race meetings during the season with jockeys and trainers coming from all over south eastern NSW and East Gippsland to compete.
Our new facilities include a Function Centre which is perfect for weddings as well as race day functions. The course offers visitors and members a variety of services including
- TAB
- Local and Interstate Bookmakers
- Food and beverage services
- Free buses to and from the course from major local centres
- Picnic and family friendly areas
Merimbula Jazz Festival
The Merimbula jazz festival is an annual event held every June in Merimbula giving you a chance to experience authentic jazz music in a serene environment. Dubbed the “festival of musicians,” the jazz festival has been held yearly since 1981 and features approximately 150 bands and 700 musicians who play all styles of jazz ranging from mainstream, ragtime, modern and funk.
The festival includes live music and a parade and gives young musicians under 25 to showcase their talents.
The performances last four days and are held in six venues. Bring your family or tag a friend a long and get to enjoy a non commercial community music festival this June.
Sapphire Coast Orchid Club’s Winter Show
The Sapphire Coast Orchid Club’s Winter Show is an annual event that is held in the month of August in Merimbula. During the show, the Sapphire Coast Orchid Club organizes a relaxing evening where the best orchids in the area are showcased.
Though the event focuses on native plants, there are many exotic orchids that are also featured during the event. This event not only gives you a chance to learn more about these beautiful plants, you also get to learn how to grow your own once the holiday is over.
Apart from getting a chance to participate in the workshops as a beginner or expert grower, every year, there is also an option to purchase some of the orchids on display. Some of the orchids that are usually on display include; Rock Lily orchids, Cattleyas orchids, Cymbidium orchids, Slipper orchids among others.
Pambula Motorfest
Got some free time in September and looking a fun filled family weekend? Head down to Pambula beach for the Pambula Motorfest which is a weekend long event held in September every year. This annual not for profit event that is organized to raise funds for the local community and makes for a great weekend full of action and entertainment for the whole family.
The Pambula Motorfest and Swap Meet gives you a chance to meet like minded people, show off your special vehicle be it a sedan, a tractor or a bike and help raise funds for the community.
This event also features ladies stalls, trash and treasure stalls, trade stalls, locally made products, a lot of children’s activities and much more. There’s a swap meet, trash and treasure stalls, ladies stalls, locally made products, trade stalls, merchandise trucks, loads of children’s activities, rides and much more.
Visit Pambula Motorfest for more information.
Annual Merimbula Classic
The Annual Merimbula Classic has over the years gained popularity and become a well liked tradition in the city.
With a focus on waves and wind, the event which takes place in November attracts many participants and visitors. The event takes place over a course of four days and attracts wave sailors, kite surfers and StandUp paddle (SUP) surfers who join the festivities to entertain the crowds and show off their skills.
The Merimbula Classic attracts some of the sports hottest riders and a total of 280 competitors from all over Australia and around the world. Merimbula’s climate is ideal for this event and this is where they meet to compete for the various titles.
As the competitors battle it out for the top rank, visitors can participate in exciting parties and also get a chance to browse the many tents that offer different merchandise and even a chance to try out their kite surfing techniques.
Eat Merimbula
Held every March at Fishpen in Merimbula overlooking the picturesque Merimbula lake, the Eat Merimbula festival celebrates entrepreneurs and best chefs.
The clear waters and fertile soils of Sapphire coast have always been renowned to produce sustainable seasonal seafood and world class fresh produce. Joining the Eat Merimbula festivities gives you a chance to savor the region’s harvest.
With dishes capped at $8, all you need is to bring your picnic rag and a good appetite.
Merimbula is known as the jewel of the Sapphire coast, and the activities in this city can brighten any holiday. It offers exciting jazz festivals, golf tournaments and other events throughout the year to keep visitors engaged in the local culture. Merimbula may be popular for its scenic views and easy access to the water, but it has more to offer than a beach walk.