Discover Winter on the Sapphire Coast
6 WAYS to EXPERIENCE SAPPHIRE COAST WINTER
Visiting the Sapphire Coast in any season is always a great idea, but there’s a special kind of magic in the air in winter. The mornings are fresh and golden, the days are mild (and often even warm), and there’s no shortage of cool-weather adventures to be had along our spectacular coastline. And once you’re done with your day’s activities, you can cosy up by the fire with a mulled wine and a book in hand! So pack your puffer jacket, pop on a beanie for good measure, and get ready to come alive in our pristine coastal wonderland this winter.
Country cottage dining by the fire
Is there anything better than the cosy ambience of an open woodfire paired with a red wine and a hearty winter meal? Step into the flickering firelit dining room of Banksia, situated within the heritage-listed Old Pambula Bank building in Pambula’s main street. Banksia’s food is generous, rich and classic, served in three courses with the choice of matched wines, presented by knowledgeable and experienced servers
Dulcie’s Cottage is a reimagined 1925 weatherboard cottage in Merimbula, now home to a humming bar and eatery serving up boutique beers, fabulous cocktails and perhaps the best burgers on the South Coast. Make sure you book ahead if you want to nab the sought-after tables closest to the fireplace!
Step out in a winter wonderland
Winter is perfect for outdoor exploration in our pristine coastal landscape. Whether it’s a morning beach stroll with a hot coffee in hand, or a multi-day hiking adventure through our national parks, winter days on-trail will leave you buzzing and reinvigorated. With cooler temps perfect for walking, you might like to try one of our more challenging walks like the Light to Light Walk (30km), Kangarutha Walking Track (9km), Wharf to Wharf Walk (27km), or the Balawan (Mount Imlay) Summit Walking Track (6km).
If you’re looking for a shorter walk, you can’t go past Merimbula Boardwalk, Murunna Point Walking Track, Bundian Way Story Trail, or Tathra Headland Walk.
WINTEr events and festivals
Three days of golden celebrations in our stunning natural landscape! Merimbula’s WinterSun Festival includes competitive ocean swims in Merimbula Lake, a 27km Wharf to Wharf Walk challenge (walk or run), an inaugural Pups on SUPs event (woof woof!), a retro WinterSun design exhibition at Hillcrest Merimbula, Streetfest (live music and food) and more.
Merimbula Jazz Festival, 9-12 June
Merimbula’s annual seaside jazz festival has been bringing together jazz musicians from across Australia since 1981. With six venues within walking distance and 100 bands on offer, you can experience big band, swing, modern, funk, fusion, traditional and ragtime across four fabulous days.
Tathra Mountain Bike Festival, 10-11 June
Tathra Mountain Bike Festival is a mountain biking odyssey that captures the best of beaches, the forests and the mountains. The event has gained a cult following for its super flowing seaside single track and its enthusiastic community spirit. This year’s event returns for two epic days of cross country racing in Tathra with a range of events for pros, groms, and those newer to racing.
Fungi Feastival, 16 June – 16 July
Learn about the fascinating and unique world of fungi, mushrooms and truffles at this brand-new event! Taking place over four weeks, the festival features a range of pop-up fungi-themed events from Eden to Bermagui, and north to Batemans Bay. You can go on a truffle hunt, learn how to grow edible mushrooms at a fungi workshop, book a bespoke truffle and mushroom dinner experience, and heaps more.
Far South Film Festival, 19 August
Far South Film Festival shines a spotlight on all things moviemaking in and around our region. Featuring stories told by regional and remote filmmakers from all over Australia, the festival takes place in Merimbula.
TRY OUT OUR LOCAL MULLED WINES
Decadent, spicy and sweet… nothing else quite compares to a steaming hot, cinnamon-infused mug of mulled wine after a long winter walk. Preferably paired with a local cheese platter and a dozen Sapphire Coast oysters of course. Some of our favourite winter haunts to visit for this delicious winter treat include
Hotel Australasia in Eden,
Kitty's Bar and Restaurant in Merimbula ,
Tathra Hotel and
Wheelers Seafood Restaurant
in Merimbula. Or you can simmer
your own batch to perfection at your accommodation and sip it by the fire as you recharge with a good book!
Winter stargazing SESSIONS
Pack your head torch and bring your winter woollies (and thermos of hot chocolate), because the clear skies of winter are ideal for stargazing and spotting the Milky Way. The best stretch of coast for stargazing is anywhere south of Eden, where the wide open spaces of Beowa National Park, Nadgee Wilderness and surrounding forests are free from any outside light interference. However, pretty much anywhere along the Sapphire Coast makes a worthy stargazing destination, so don’t forget to look up! Some favourite spots for our local photographers include Green Cape Lighthouse, Boyds Tower and Horse Head Rock.
If you want to take things a step further and sleep under the stars along our ancient coastline, check out the beautiful campgrounds in Beowa National Park, Mimosa Rocks National Park and Bournda National Park, as well as private camping and glamping options available throughout the region. That way you can stargaze and roast marshmallows at the same time!
Check out our accommodation offerings here
Explore the Sapphire Coast Oyster Trail
Oysters may be a summer staple, however these tasty (and healthy) morsels pack a punch year-round on the Sapphire Coast. Our unique climate is favourable for growing Sydney Rock Oysters all year long and our key estuaries serve up oysters not only to local eateries, but also to top restaurants in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, who rely on the Sapphire Coast to provide a reliable supply of quality oysters during the cooler months. Unlike the super fat oysters of summer and autumn, winter oysters are usually firmer in texture, with a deliciously robust and briny flavour.
Head out on the Oyster Trail and explore our oyster farm gates, immersive food and farm experiences, and tide to table dining.
Share
