3 Day Oyster Trail Itinerary
A SHELLAR LONG WEEKEND ON THE SAPPHIRE COAST
The Sapphire Coast is known for its many natural wonders, from ancient geological marvels, to heritage landmarks and the state’s most untouched coastal wilderness areas. But among its many gems, oysters may be the jewel in the crown. Oysters grown on the Sapphire Coast are some of the most highly regarded in Australia, thanks to the pristine natural environment in which they are grown, coupled with a passionate oyster farming community and regenerative farming practices.
A long weekend trip to the Sapphire Coast offers “shellar” opportunities to savour sought-after Sydney rock oysters straight from the source, in the stunning nature surroundings that makes them so special. Far away from the fine-dining restaurants of the nation’s cities, you’ll discover oyster shacks, farm tours, tasting experiences and tide to table dining, all centred around the key producing estuaries of our coastline.
This three-day itinerary takes you from Bermagui to Pambula, designed to show off the best of the Sapphire Coast’s oyster offerings, packed into three epic days.
DAY 1 - Bermagui to Tathra
Begin your morning at beautiful Bermagui River, the northernmost oyster-producing estuary on the Sapphire Coast. There’s no local farm gate open to the public, but you can take an intimate guided kayak tour with Navigate Expeditions to explore the river’s network of mangrove forests and oyster leases, complete with a delicious morning tea of local goodies. Confident paddlers can explore solo on their own watercraft, or hire kayaks from Bermagui Bait and Tackle. After your morning paddle, visit the Bermagui Bait and Tackle shopfront to pick up a dozen fresh oysters, delivered fresh from Wapengo Rocks.
Stop in on Bermagui’s famous Blue Pool before continuing along the Tathra-Bermagui Road, one of the most spectacular drives on the Sapphire Coast. You’ll cross stunning rivers, creeks and estuaries on the timber planks of charming one-lane bridges, and cruise through stunning country farmland, surrounded by spotted gum forests and wooded mountains.
After crossing the Murrah River, you’ll soon glimpse the turnoff to
Mimosa Wines, set on 250 acres in a tranquil valley between the mountains and the sea. Their restaurant enjoys expansive views across the hinterland, matched by a refined and thoughtful menu showcasing local produce. Enjoy a selection of local oysters, followed your choice of main with local ingredients like Mystery Bay kelp, Narooma octopus and Snowy Mountains rainbow trout.
Next is a visit to Nelson Lagoon, one of the most stunning locations on the Sapphire Coast. It’s a short walk from the car park area to the lagoon, through a beautiful spotted gum and burrawang forest. Nelson Lagoon is the home of Tathra Oysters, who have been farming Sydney rock oysters at their secluded lagoon leases since 1988. Surrounded by the forests of Mimosa Rocks National Park, oysters here are grown in true wilderness conditions, and their oysters have won more than 180 awards to date.
Enjoy a refreshing dip in the lagoon’s turquoise waters, before continuing south on the road to Tathra. Head to the top of town to pick up fresh Tathra Oysters at the Rodley family home shopfront, then drive along Bega Street to Tathra Headland car park. You can stroll the 300-metre Tathra Headland Walk, which leads to the historic Tathra Wharf, the last surviving original deep-water wharf on the eastern seaboard of New South Wales.
Dinner is at
Tathra Hotel, an elegant pub perched high on Tathra Headland. Enjoy local oysters alongside classics like buttermilk parmigiana, crispy skin barramundi and salt and pepper calamari. They also have 11 beers on tap brewed on site at their Humpback Brewery!
DAY 2 - MERIMBULA
Any Merimbula local would argue that there is hardly any better way to start the day than by strolling along Merimbula’s famous boardwalk. Following the curving foreshore of Merimbula Lake, the boardwalk meanders 3.4 kilometres return through mangrove forests, over deep red Devonian red rock and past Merimbula’s bobbing floatilla of oyster leases. Oysters have been farmed in Merimbula Lake since the 1900s, and the estuary is now a key producer of around 600,000 dozen oysters annually.
After a leisurely morning, jump in the car to head south along the Princes Highway to Millingandi, located on the wide, open flats of Merimbula Lake’s western edge. Turn left onto Oyster Track and follow signs to The Oyster Barn, the home of family-owned Merimbula Gourmet Oysters. At the end of the winding dirt road, you’ll find their lakeside sheds situated among the mangroves, with a delectable selection of seafood offerings on the menu.
Their range of hot and cold oysters prove irresistible, with toppings like wakame seaweed and kewpi mayo, grilled cheesey mornay, Kilpatrick, and garlic herb and butter, just to name a few. They also serve generous prawn baguettes with crunchy salad, grilled half shell scallops, Narooma crayfish, crispy garlic bread, and specials like local seafood chowder. They’re BYO too, so don’t forget to bring along your favourite drop for this authentic lakeside dining experience.
For a taste of local oyster history, pay a visit to the Merimbula Old School Museum, located right in town on Main Street. It’s only open on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1.30pm – 4pm, but history buffs will consider it well worth a stop. The museum’s collection includes a 1920s flat bottomed timber oyster punt that was built by a well-known local oyster farmer, fisherman and boat builder Augustus (“Gus”) Cole, as well as range of beautiful oyster and scallop plates from around the world. Wander the historical displays, showcasing history of the region including fishing, oyster farming and agriculture.
For a luxury dinner experience, book a sunset sitting at Valentina. Perched above Merimbula Lake, be transported to the Mediterranean coast as you step into their stunning dining room. An impeccably styled interior is eclipsed only by a divine seasonal menu and excellent service. Their small plate dishes are best shared, with offerings like scallop crudo with orange saffron & chervil, charred scampi with caviar beurre blanc, and stracciatella with figs. But don’t forget the oysters, served with ginger and lime mignonette.
DAY 3 - PAMBULA
Take the easy drive to Pambula Lake, stopping in at historic Pambula village for your morning brew before continuing along the Princes Highway towards Eden. After crossing the heritage-listed Yowaka River Bridge, take a left turn on to Landing Road, down to the oyster sheds on the water’s edge. Pambula Lake is a natural spawning ground of the Sydney rock oyster, and is home to 16 oyster farms with a cumulative 60 hectares of lease area.
Captain Sponge (aka Brett Weingarth) farms a number of oyster leases in Pambula Lake and Pambula River, based out of his rustic oyster hut on the foreshore. Jump on board his oversized oyster punt for an on-water Magical Oyster Tour, an unmissable experience for both seasoned oyster lovers and newbies. You’ll get to sample Pambula’s renowned rock oysters straight from the water, receive a crash course in oyster husbandry, plus enjoy a scenic cruise along one of the most spectacular waterways in New South Wales.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, both underwater and on land. Pambula Lake is surrounded by the coastal woodlands of Beowa National Park, home to soaring white-bellied sea eagles that nest in the lofty treetops, as well as pied oystercatchers that forage for molluscs along the sandy mudflats. Spot the silver shimmer of stingrays as they glide along the sandy-bottomed seabed, or dolphins as they chase salmon schools up the river.
Captain Sponge will point out significant natural features, including the Sapphire Coast’s ancient Devonian red rock, and incredible Aboriginal middens along the foreshore. Some of the best-preserved mounded middens on the east coast of Australia are located along Pambula River, containing the shells of oysters and mussels collected by Aboriginal people more than 4000 years ago.
After returning back to land, wander over to Broadwater Oysters for a light brunch by the lake. You can enjoy a dozen of their delicious award-winning oysters right their overlooking the lake, or enjoy a regional tasting board including fresh oysters, as well as local heroes like Eden Smokehouse gravlax and smoked mussels, Tilba Real Dairy cheese, and Wild Ryes artisan sourdough.
Heading back to Pambula, you’ll spy the rustic red roof of
Oaklands Barn, situated among the rich, green river flats of Pambula’s historic dairy and beef country. Oaklands is a unique rural sanctuary home to a number of businesses, including a café, gallery, garden centre and animal barn, as well as the biggest little brewery on the Sapphire Coast –
Longstocking Brewery. All of their craft beers and ciders are brewed on site, with a generous selection of ales and lagers, a much-loved ginger beer and a sweet and sour cider. Best yet, their oyster bar menu is one of the best on the coast, with choices like gunpowder gin and orange, champagne and pickled ginger, three cheese and breadcrumb, and more. Relax in their sunny beer garden, with great live music most Sunday afternoons.
For an easy afternoon stroll, cross the road to Panboola Wetlands, located literally opposite Oaklands Barn. You’ll find 82 hectares of tended and protected freshwater billabongs, saltmarsh and grassy plains brimming with bird life, with a network of walking and cycling tracks to explore. Panboola forms part of the Pambula estuary wetland, providing important feeding and breeding habitat for waterbirds in the Pambula River catchment.
For a quintessential Sapphire Coast dining experience, you can’t miss Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant, located on Arthur Kaine Drive on the way back to Merimbula. From humble beginnings in 1927, to becoming a national name synonymous with the highest quality oysters, Wheeler’s showcases their own Merimbula Lake oysters alongside contemporary Australian cuisine and gorgeous seafood. The farm to plate experience comes full circle within the architecture of reclaimed wharf timbers, high ceilings and stunning coastal bush surroundings.
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