Enjoy beautiful beaches, fresh seafood and water sports on the NSW South Coast.
Located at the mouth of the Clyde River, Batemans Bay makes a great base to explore the Eurobodalla Shire. Taste succulent oysters straight from the farm gate in this seafood-rich region, hike through national parks, or go swimming, kayaking, surfing, canoeing or fishing at one of the area’s many deserted beaches. Animal lovers can keep an eye out for native wildlife such as koalas and kangaroos, or guarantee an encounter with a visit to Birdland Animal Park or Mogo Wildlife Park, located in the historic town of Mogo nearby.
Cross the bridge north out of town and head to Clyde River National Park, which has 9km of river frontage perfect for water sports such as kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Offering views over the river towards the Pacific Ocean, Holmes Lookout is a great spot for picnics, with the chance to spot birdlife such as kookaburras, colourful parrots and honeyeaters while you’re there.
This wildlife park in Batemans Bay is another great place to see birds including black swans, pelicans and egrets, as well as native Australian animals such as orphaned wombat joeys and reptiles, including goannas.
Around 20 minutes’ drive north of town, Murramarang National Park is also a haven for wildlife, with eastern grey kangaroos and peregrine falcons and sea eagles among those you are likely to see. The park, which stretches for 44km along the coast, abounds with pristine beaches, cliffs and headlands to explore. It is one of the few places in Australia where spotted gum trees grow all the way to the beach, providing welcome shade during summer. The family-friendly Durras Lake Discovery Trail is a fun and easy walk, with everything from stepping stones to jump across and tree logs to balance on.
Heading south of Batemans Bay, Observation Point is another great lookout and picnic area, with views over the beach and out to Snapper Island.
Despite many of its buildings being damaged in the December 2019 bushfires, the gold rush town of Mogo is definitely worth a visit. Enjoy lunch at Mogo Pies, pop into Mogo Fudge to stock up on sweet treats, and meander the eclectic shops, such as Roman Leathergoods, In & Out homewares and arts and crafts store Amanda’s of Mogo. The town is also known for its zoo, Mogo Wildlife Park, which is home to the largest collection of primates in the country and many rare and exotic species, including Sumatran tigers, snow leopards, southern white rhinos and white lions.
The warmest weather is from December to March, when temperatures average daily high above 74°F. June to August are the coldest months, but they are also the best time for spotting whales during their annual migration. February is usually the wettest month, while August is the driest. The shortest day of the year is in June, with less than 10 hours of daylight, while the longest is in late December with more than 14 hours of daylight.