South Coast

Stretching from Batemans Bay to the Victorian border, the South Coast of New South Wales is a sublime ribbon of golden beaches, national parks, and laid-back seaside towns. This is where the bush meets the sea, with forests of spotted gum and turpentine descending to coves of bone-white sand. The air smells of salt and eucalyptus, and the pace of life slows to a gentle coastal crawl. For international travellers, it’s the perfect antidote to city life — a place to swim, hike, eat fresh oysters, and watch whales breach against a backdrop of sapphire water.

Highlights & What to See

• Jervis Bay — home to Hyams Beach, famously claimed to have the whitest sand in the world. Swim, kayak, or join a dolphin-watching cruise in crystal-clear waters.
• Booderee National Park — a botanical wonderland with Aboriginal heritage, offering walks to rockpools and the stunning Murrays Beach, where the water is a luminous turquoise.
• Batemans Bay — the gateway to the South Coast, where you can feast on fresh Clyde River oysters at the waterfront markets or cruise the estuary.
• Mogo — a historic gold-rush village with a quirky main street, a wildlife park where you can hand-feed kangaroos, and the Mogo Zoo with rare species.
• Eurobodalla National Park — a mosaic of coastal habitats, from sweeping beaches to lagoons, with excellent birdwatching and the iconic Bingi Dreaming Track.
• Narooma — famous for its resident seals at Montague Island (a protected nature reserve) and the striking rock formation of Australia Rock, which resembles the continent.
• Merimbula — a family-friendly hub with a boardwalk over the lake, oyster farms, and the Magic Mountain theme park. Nearby Pambula Beach is a surfers’ paradise.

Suggested Time to Spend

To truly savour the South Coast, plan for at least 5–7 days if driving from Sydney. This gives you time to explore Jervis Bay and Batemans Bay in the north, then wind down through Eurobodalla to Merimbula and Eden. If you’re short on time, focus on a single area — Jervis Bay can be enjoyed in a long weekend. The drive itself is part of the experience: the Princes Highway hugs the coast, with countless pull-offs for a spontaneous swim or a picnic among the spotted gums.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Kiama — famous for its blowhole and scenic coastal walk, just a short detour north of the region.
• Canberra — Australia’s capital, a 2-hour drive inland from Batemans Bay, offers museums, galleries, and a vibrant food scene.
• Kosciuszko National Park — in winter, head west for snow sports; in summer, hike to Australia’s highest peak.
• Sapphire Coast — the southernmost part of the South Coast, with the charming town of Eden and the stunning Ben Boyd National Park.
• Montague Island — a protected seabird and seal colony accessible from Narooma, offering guided tours and lighthouse stays.

Please check official sources for current details.