Narooma

Breathtaking is the word for a first visit to Narooma.

Although it's not a sight you would ever grow tired of with Montague Island sitting offshore and Mount Dromedary (Gulaga) dominating the escarpment. And the colours of Wagonga Inlet - it truly is a multitude of blues. It's not hard to see why Narooma is a mecca for fishing enthusiasts. Around the waters of Montague Island you can chase kingfish, marlin and yellowfin tuna as well as many reef species. Narooma is home to a fleet of modern charter boats, all operated by experienced professionals. Full day and half day charters for groups and individuals are available for fishing and diving. Just south of Narooma is Mystery Bay, one of the best snorkelling spots on the coast.

Embark on a whale watching tour between September and November for memories to last a lifetime. Explore beautiful Wagonga Inlet on a charter or hire a boat and make your own adventure. The pristine waterways of Narooma and Wagonga Inlet have been protected by the Batemans Marine Park so future generations can enjoy them. A tour to Montague Island is the ultimate Narooma experience - you can even stay overnight! Enquire at Narooma Visitor Centre.

The Mill Bay Boardwalk is the perfect way to appreciate the natural beauty of Narooma - it takes you out over the water where large schools of fish and stingrays sometimes make graceful appearances. The clifftop golf course offers a stunning vista out to Montague Island - in spring it is not uncommon to spot whales.

Narooma becomes a hive of activity each October long weekend for the Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival. There are lots of restaurants, friendly clubs, a variety of shopping options and accommodation alternatives to suit everyone. Narooma even has a six-lane indoor heated pool.

If you still need more ideas of things to do in Narooma try a game of bowls or take to one of the local cycleways.

KAYAKING AROUND NAROOMA

On the Wagonga Inlet at Narooma (flatwater)
The azure coloured, crystal clear waters of Wagonga Inlet are a delight to paddle with plenty of changing landscapes of the town and old growth forest on the foreshores. Open kayaks and canoes should hug the shoreline as the wide expanse of water can be choppy on windy days. Forsters Bay provides more sheltered paddling with the added interest of the moored boats. Paddling to the top end of the inlet provides an opportunity to visit the historic cemetery and see the extensive oyster lease structures. Landing is possible next to the pontoon. Launch from Old Punt boat ramp next to the highway on the south side of Narooma Bridge or near the cafés, restaurants and foreshore park along Riverside Drive.  BBQ/picnic area, toilets, playground and cafés located on Riverside Drive.

Corunna Lake, Tilba region (flatwater)
An enjoyable paddle on a picturesque lake with an easy, sandy launch near the boat ramp at the northern end of the lake. From here you can fill a few hours exploring the little bays including passing under the highway bridge down to the ocean entrance of the lake. Or make a lunch of it and paddle across to Tilba Valley Winery for a meal and live music (phone to confirm) at the south end of the lake, up to 12km return trip. You can see the Tilba Winery from the water. Land in shallow water and walk along a dirt road, 600 metres up the hill to the winery.  BBQ/picnic area and toilets at Corunna Lake. Access is off the Princes Highway, 7km south of Narooma.

Mystery Bay to Narooma in the Batemans Marine Park (sea)

An exciting sea paddle for experienced ocean kayakers, with an easy launch and surf beach landing. The trip is exposed to prevailing onshore breezes. Launch from Mystery Bay at the end of Mystery Bay Road and head north past a series of small headlands and beaches to the mouth of Corunna Lake, then past Loaders and Fullers Beaches which face south east. These are both long beaches with large surf breaks. Head around rocky outcrops at Bogola Head (a fun place to play in gentle seas but worth avoiding in larger seas), then up to Burunga Point and Handkerchief Beach. As you round Glasshouse Rocks you see Narooma Beach and the main Narooma headland. Once around the headland stay a reasonable distance offshore as you pass the bar of Wagonga Inlet. The landing is north of the breakwater at Bar Beach, immediately north of Narooma bar. The bar is hazardous and should only be attempted with previous knowledge and low seas with an incoming tide. Primitive camping ground, toilets and BBQ/picnic area at Mystery Bay. BBQ/picnic area, toilets and playground nearby at Apex Park, North Narooma.

Wallaga Lake, south of the Tilba region (Flatwater)

Paddle quietly across Wallaga Lake, homeland to the indigenous Yuin people and protected by Gulaga, the Mother mountain. Sense the indigenous heritage of the area and paddle where the ancestors fished from bark canoes. The landscape is spectacular with the mountain backdrop and forested foothills of Gulaga National Park falling to the lake and dairy farms. Wildlife abounds with waterbirds, black swans, sea eagles and forest birds commonly seen. Look out for sea eagle nests and koalas in the forests along the foreshore and picnic in a secluded bay. A circumnavigation of the main part of the lake could be a 20km route. From Central Tilba drive 6kms south on the Princes Highway and turn left into Bermagui Road. Continue for 4 kms to Wallaga Lake Bridge. Park and launch from the small reserve with toilets on the west side of the bridge. Take a map to explore the lake fully.

CYCLING IN NAROOMA

The local Cycling Narooma website provides details of 18 great bike rides in the Narooma, Tilba and Bermagui areas on the South Coast of New South Wales. They range from short, easy rides that are suitable for all the family, to half-day and full-day rides through some of the most magnificent coastal country one could find in the south-east corner of Australia. They cater for all tastes and all levels of fitness. We have even included a couple of challenging rides for the fit and enthusiastic riders.

We have grouped the rides under the main centres of Narooma, Tilba and Bermagui. There are nine rides around Narooma, including two that start at Bodalla just a few kilometres north of Narooma, four rides around Tilba, and five around Bermagui.

The rides we have selected for you will take you to spectacular headlands, a lake or two to view waterbirds, to a National Trust village, along the quiet roads and tracks of State forests and national parks where you can enjoy the calls of lyrebirds and bellbirds. There are quiet rides through the countryside. On other rides, you can ride to a quiet headland and watch the whales go by (between September and November each year).

Most of the rides are along formed forest roads, or unsealed council roads. You will definitely need a mountain bike for most of these rides.

More about cycling in Narooma and Eurobodalla.

NAROOMA AND IT'S WHALES

WHALES are very humanly passionate.

They flirt with each other through graceful  and intimate ‘dances’, they compose songs to communicate across vast distances, and the bond between mother and calf is so strong that they stay eyeball-to-eyeball or within fin distance of each other for more than a year.

And the sex life of a humpback could make it onto the pages of a Barbara Cartland novel, with all its fervent chasing, slapping, lunging, breaching and belly-to-belly fin clasping.

These human-like attributes may go some way to explaining why perfectly rational people are inspired to don a cagoule and sit for hours on the open sea squinting for the merest glimpse of a dorsal fin.

There is something about these creatures that makes any kind of encounter with them exhilarating. 

Mark Westwood is a National Parks and Wildlife Service guide based in Narooma on the NSW Eurobodalla Coast, where humpbacks feeding and playing on the edge of the continental shelf come exceptionally close to shore in June and again from September through to November.

He thinks people love whales for a strange mix of reasons.

“It’s the size of them,” he says, “and the romance that was built up through the whaling industry.  It’s the sounds they make, the interaction they have with people, a feeling of respect - it’s all of those things combined.

 “And the return of their numbers is tangible - people can see we’ve protected these creatures and they are returning in bigger numbers every year.

 “Quite often the whales interact with people on the charter boats – we have to stay a distance away from them but they choose to come closer. I’ve had experiences where whales have played right next to and under the boat.”

Every year, many thousands of humpbacks undertake a herculean 10,000k migration from Antarctica to Queensland and back again to mate and give birth.

In an evacuation of military precision, the females attempting to wean their reluctant young leave first, followed about 12 days later by the immature whales and another ten or so days later by the males and resting females.

Last of all come the heavily pregnant females who stay for as long as possible in the nutrient-rich Antarctic waters fattening up for their arduous journey.

The whales converge at Cape Byron and speed on to Hervey Bay where some mate in their uniquely energetic way.

 After 11 months’ gestation, the pregnant females give birth to 4-metre long calves in the warm northern waters, gently raising them to the surface so the air can stimulate their blowholes to open and fill their lungs to keep them afloat.

The newborns feed almost immediately and drink around 3 gallons of milk at each of their 40 feeds in every 24 hours, which means that while they quickly grow fat and strong, their mothers and the rest of the community are in increasingly poor shape after eating little or nothing since leaving Antarctica.

The newly-pregnant females, now ravenous and eating for two, lead the journey back down south with the resting females, followed by the immature group, the males and lastly the mothers and calves.

It is on this return journey that the whales are prevalent all along the Eurobodalla Coast and particularly around Narooma. The edge of the continental shelf runs unusually close to shore providing nutrition-rich krill and warm currents which, Mark Westwood says, they “hitch a ride on.”

And it’s not just hump backs - Southern Right Whales, Fin Whales, Brydes Whales, Sei Whales, Blue Whales and Orcas have all been seen off Narooma in recent years and there has even been a sighting of a rare albino hump back off Montague Island.

As a NPWS veteran of nine years, Mark has watched numbers increase significantly year on year.

 “There are certainly more whales around each year - they’re recovering from their hunting days,” he says.

“There was one day we call the ‘day of 100 whales’ when we went out to Montague Island and they were all around us for as far as you could see – there were two blue whales right next to us about a metre away. That was quite a day.”

The tragedy is that these gorgeous creatures playing, feeding and nursing their cherished young in record numbers off our coast can again be targeted by hunters as they make their way back home.

More about Whalewatching.

THE BEST LAND BASED WHALE WATCHING SPOTS IN NAROOMA

Narooma Golf Club at Narooma

Excellent easterly views from the upstairs Bunka’s Bistro and top end of the club’s car park. The golf course is open to the public, though at your own risk. Walk around the course heading south towards the Coastal Patrol cottage, or along the cliff top overlooking Narooma’s main surf beach. The club is located at the top of Bluewater Drive, turn left off the Princes Highway when travelling south through Narooma just after the Visitors Information Centre.

Bar Rock Road Lookout at Narooma

A great vantage point, 2 minutes from Narooma Town Wharf, below the historic Coastal Patrol Station (old harbourmaster’s residence) overlooking Narooma Bar and out towards Montague Island. Interpretive signs with cetacean identification (whales and dolphins) and timber stairs down to Australia Rock. Follow the Princes Highway south into Narooma, take first left turn after the Visitors Centre into Bluewater Drive and then left again into Bar Rock Road.

Carters Beach Headland at Kianga.

Carters Headland at the northern end of Bar Beach is a favoured dolphin surf beach offering  180 degree views as far north as Pigeon House Mountain on a clear day. Whale calves frolic out past the rocks. The waters around Narooma are relatively shallow and are rich in krill; a staple food of whales. When travelling south, turn left into Dalmeny about 5 km north of Narooma and follow this around to the beach.

PETS ON HOLIDAY IN NAROOMA

Information and suggestions for;

• Eating Out – Doggiecino’s and doggie biscuits,
• Pet friendly boat hire
• Walks
• Beach Walks
• Pet Resorts
• Accommodation

Eating Out with your dog in and around Narooma

Pelicans at the Marina , overlooking Wagonga Inlet , is a dog friendly restaurant café offering doggiecino’s and dog biscuits - frothy milk dusted with chocolate,  served, all fresco , in a tastefully decorated china dog bowl with a selection of gourmet doggie biscuits made on the premises. Choose from rolled oat and liver or the vegetarian option, carrot and garlic.

The restaurant/café has an outdoor, covered eating space on the marina. The deck is accessed from the marina walkway so dogs do not go through the restaurant.

 Pelicans at 31 Riverside Drive, Narooma, 4474 2126, is open for breakfast and lunch all year and dinner from September through to May.

Heather Morris owns the restaurant and bakes the dog biscuits herself. She bakes the vegetarian version for the “Tilba crowd”. (Tilba is known for its arty and alternative community)

Boating with your dog on the Wagonga Inlet, Narooma

Pelicans also hire out dog friendly boats (bbq boat, pedal boats, tinnies and outboards, & canoes) from their marina.

Walking your dog

There is a scenic walkway along the foreshore adjacent to Riverside Drive, suitable for a walk with dogs on leashes and offering picnic tables and cafes with takeaway options.

Beach Walks in and around Narooma

24 Hour off leash

• Narooma Bar Beach, from the northern end to within 100m of the break wall
• Narooma at the south eastern corner of Bill Smyth Oval below Canty Street

Time Share off leash exercise areas

1 Nov – 30 April, between 5pm and 9am

1 May to 31 October, between 3pm and 10am

• Mystery bay beach
• Narooma beach, north of Handkerchief lake

Time share on leash exercise area

• Kainga Lake beach

Pet Resorts in Narooma

Paradise Point Pet Lodge 4476 2430

Offer Holiday Day Passes, for visitors wanting to have their pets during the day while on holidays or Doggie Day Care for visitors staying with their pets who may need a “break” during the day!

Pet friendly Accommodation around Narooma

Oakleigh Farm

105 Mystery Bay Road MYSTERY BAY NSW 2546

4473 7219

www.oakleighfarmcottages.com

Pub Hill Farm,

556 Scenic Drive, Narooma, 2546, 4476 3177

Pub Hill Farm is a 250 acre farm situated high on a hill overlooking the beautiful Wagonga Inlet, with views over Mt Dromedary to the south. Pub Hill has 2 km of water frontage on to both the Wagonga Inlet and Punkallah Creek.

Large gardens are fully fenced for your pet’s safety. Pets are allowed inside but not on the beds.

 Accommodation is traditional Bed and Breakfast in two tasteful queen bedded rooms, one king (or 2 singles) and one double log cabin. All rooms are totally private and feature ensuites. Large gardens are fully fenced for your pet’s safety.

Or self contained in the farm’s Karibu Cottage, with mezzanine bedroom with breathtaking views over the inlet through huge windows. Full kitchen with all appliances, large fridge, washing machine, barbecue and a covered outdoor area. It is surrounded by lawns and native plant gardens and has a cosy wood fire for winter ( wood supplied).

A huge selection of books and magazines, an eclectic range of CDs, DVD and video’s.

Lyrebird Lodge

99 Armatage Road Central Tilba

4476 3370

Lyrebird Lodge is a boutique forest retreat situated on the foothills of Gulaga/Mt Dromedary. Located in spotted gum forest, with abundant birdlife being the only neighbors Lyrebird Lodge is just 15 minutes from both the heritage village of Central Tilba and the scenic coastal town of Narooma.

Lyrebird Lodge is a fully self-contained mud-brick cottage utilizing eco-friendly solar power while all water to the dwelling is collected in rain water tanks. Cooking and dining is alfresco on the spacious covered verandah, which overlooks your own private rainforest gully.

Inside, stylish furnishings are enhanced by the unique works of local artists including handcrafted furniture made from local hardwoods. While outside the tranquil bush setting offers total privacy and relaxation. Bookings include a bottle of local wine and Tilba Cheese platter on arrival as well as breakfast hamper with free range eggs, bacon, juice, locally baked bread, coffee plunger and teapot.

Features  include 2 x 1st floor bedrooms (1xqueen, 1xtwin) , 1 x loft bedroom with queen sized bed , large open planned lounge and dining areas, Kitchen & BBQ facilities, LCD TV & DVD, your own campfire.

More about Holidaying with Pets.

PUBS WITH A VIEW AROUND NAROOMA

Our list of Pubs with a View is a celebration of the nation wide Aussie tradition of relaxing with a nice cold beer, an array of fresh food, good friends and family and a view which takes your breath away.

Lynches Hotel at Narooma

High up the hill and with spectacular, breathtaking views of the Mediterranean waters of Narooma.

• 135 Wagonga Street  Narooma  NSW 2546  (02 44762001 )

O’Brien’s Hotel at Narooma

A block down the hill and with equally spectacular, breathtaking views of the Mediterranean waters of Narooma.

• 99 Princes Hwy Narooma  New South Wales 2546  (02 44763691 )

The Dromedary Hotel at Central Tilba

This hotel doesn’t have a breathtaking view but it rates a mention for its heritage charm and the front verandah where you can join the locals and watch the life of the village wander by.

• Bate Street Central Tilba,  NSW, 2546  (02 44737223)

NAROOMA HISTORY AND CULTURE

Thought to have been occupied by the Wandandian Aborigines before white settlement, the area became a cattle run in the 1840s. The 'Noorooma' run covered the area from Wagonga to Bermagui. Francis Hunt was probably the first European settler. After the 1861 Land Act opened the area to selectors the run was reduced in size.

Gold was discovered in the area in 1880 at the Montreal site and finds soon followed at Cape Dromedary, Mt Dromedary, Wallaga Lake, Wagonga Heads, Corunna and Kianga.

A post office called 'Noorooma' was established in 1880 at the site of present-day Corunna but changed its name to Corunna two years later. In 1883 a township was surveyed and Narooma was declared a port the following year. Development was slow. Timber rose in importance around this time and a sawmill opened at South Head Wagonga, soon followed by a hotel, store and wharf and a few cottages and, in 1888, a school. A new Narooma post office was opened in 1889. As a sign of the town's growing importance the court moved from Eurobodalla to Narooma in 1895.

In 1906 the Mitchell Bros moved their sawmill operation from Port Stephens to Narooma. Railway sleepers were soon being cut from the timber in the Wagonga forests and the timber industry remains an important part of the local economy. Shipbuilding and oyster farming were also established early in the century and the latter too has retained its local importance.

With passengers arriving on the steamship service of the south coast many began to explore the fishing in the area as a form of recreation and tourism became a feature of the local economy as the town established a reputation as a holiday resort for boating, aquatic sports and big-game fishing: a reputation it has retained to this day. Commercial fishing commenced in the 1930s and a fish cannery opened on the banks of the Wagonga River in 1940. A bridge was first built across the river in 1931

LATEST NEWS FROM NAROOMA

The Bon Vivant at The Whale in Narooma, NSW
An offer for those seeking compete relaxation, the sea air and fine food and wine. Revitalise yourself while taking in the dramatic beauty of the south coast. Enjoy panoramic ocean  views from the balcony of your spacious suite, a pre dinner aperitif in the lounge, a 4-course Chef’s Degustation Menu prepared by international chef Gilbert Prevost,  with a matching glass of wine with each course  and breakfast in your room or the restaurant the next morning.

$345 for two people. Book on line or phone 1800 240 003.

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