Shhhh! It's our little secret
Eurobodalla is well known as a summer holiday destination. But when the holidays are over there’s a heap of local hidden gems waiting to be uncovered.
Eurobodalla’s hidden beaches, secluded coves, best walks, favourite cafes… it’s our little secret but we’re gonna let you in on it!
Strictly hush-hush
We love our food in Eurobodalla. That’s why we created a food trail. But, to be honest, there are some places that we would like to keep secret…
We tried to keep it hush-hush, but the Good Food Guide has let the cat out of the bag, adding two local eateries on their best restaurants list for South Coast NSW. Be sure to try the exquisite Japanese inspired menu at The Sandbar and do not miss the fine dining experience of The River at Moruya where local produce is the star of the show.
Tucked away in the back reaches of Wagonga Inlet, oyster lovers will find a real hidden gem. Set in humble surrounds within a working oyster farm and processing plant, it’s easy to miss the unassuming entry to the Oyster Farmers Daughter. With oysters literally coming to your plate straight from the farm gate, you’ll discover a whole new level of fresh!
The latest after-dark hit in Batemans Bay is Mami’s Bar. With uber-cool cocktails, delicious tapas style food and fab themed events, this is one secret we couldn’t wait to share!
Keen to know more? Follow the Eurobodalla Food Trail or review a list of Food & Drink and Producers in Eurobodalla.
Lesser known tracks
There are lots of great walks in Eurobodalla. But did you know about these tracks that are hidden in plain sight?
Bellbrook Farm Loop Walk
Mangrove Walk
Hidden at the end of a suburban street in Surfside, this easy 1km loop walk takes you through 7000 years of shoreline events which are preserved in the “chenier” dune complex at Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve. One of the largest stands of mangroves south of Sydney, it also has significant Aboriginal middens and burial sites. The walk winds through an exceptional landscape of Marine Park Sanctuary Zone via a 300m boardwalk, the beach and a track.
Broulee Bengello Loop
Start at Broulee for a walk along the magnificent Bengello Beach to Moruya Airport. When you reach the wind sock at Moruya Airport turn inland to walk the 16kms back through the Bangalay Eucalyptus Sand Forest along the flat shaded track back to Broulee.
Love a hike? Find more great walks in Eurobodalla
Village secrets
The villages in Eurobodalla hide a few surprises and little known facts and clues that link the present to the past.
Nelligen
Once a busy port servicing Braidwood’s farming district and the Araluen goldfields. It pre-dates Batemans Bay. Today it is a sleepy and picturesque village set on the majestic shores of the Clyde River.
South Durras
Home to some of the most ancient geological formations on the South Coast of NSW. Take the ancient headlands walk and step back into a prehistoric landscape.
Broulee
It’s a little known fact that Broulee was the region’s first port and depot for Jervis Bay’s whaling fleet. Broulee Island was planned for a development. Take a walk around Broulee Island, a nature reserve since 1964, and see the site of the 1840-41 Erin-Go-Bragh Hotel.
Bodalla
The All Saints Church is an imposing reminder of the history of this rural village. There is a labyrinth in the grounds of the church. Right next door at the Bodalla Dairy Shed you can feed the poddy calves at 10am and 4pm every day.
Dalmeny
Often overshadowed by the stunning town of Narooma, Dalmeny is a beauty in its own right. Home to Eurobodalla’s first brewery, Dalmeny is northern end of Tourist Drive 5, a gorgeous stretch of coastline with stunning views and whale watching vantage points.
Mystery Bay
There is a very real mystery that gives this gorgeous hamlet its name. It is also a site of geological significance. And lesser known fact, it is also an important source of kelp, the oceans super food.
Interested in finding out more historical secrets? Check out Our Heritage itinerary.
Secret hangouts
Cocktails at sunset… you cant go past The Quarterdeck at Narooma.
Observation Point. Soak up spectacular views at the end of a humble suburban street.
Grab lunch with the locals. Order a picnic box from Deli On Perry and hang out with the local mob of kangaroos at Maloneys Beach.
Beers with your mates taste great! Sample Eurobodalla newest and best craft beers on a Brewery tour.
Find the historic velodrome, take a ride and enjoy the scenery.
Hanging out at the cemetery is totally cool when your chasing an epic view of Glasshouse Rocks in Narooma.
Get up early and greet the sunrise at Toragy Point at Moruya Heads. Learn a bit about the past while you’re there.
Fleeting glimpses
Secret Wildlife
Eurobodalla is a rare holiday destination that has statutory protections for vulnerable environments, unique habitats, and wildlife on land and in the sea.
There is so much wildlife in Eurobodalla’s although much of it is secretive or goes unnoticed. With plenty of undisturbed and healthy eco systems to support a thriving natural population, you only need to be patient and observant to reveal a whole new world.
If you move quietly through native forests you may be privileged to spot an echidna or be startled by a goanna scaling the trunk of a large spotted gum. Try your luck tracking down an emu at Potato Point.
Some creatures are less shy but harder to access. The fur seals of Montague Island can only be accessed by charter boat, but once you’re in their territory, you will be greeted by dozens of curious, playful seals.
In early spring you will get the first fleeting glimpses of whales as they make their way from their breeding grounds with their calves to their feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean. Book a charter or try spotting them from our suggested land based vantage points.
