Wonderfully Wild Sapphire Coast Winter
6 WAYS to EXPERIENCE SAPPHIRE COAST WINTER
Visiting the Sapphire Coast in any season is always a wonderful 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.
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 ournational 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 theLight to Light Walk (32km), 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 pastMerimbula Boardwalk,Murunna Point Walking Track,Bundian Way Story Trail, orTathra Headland Walk.
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? Feel embraced by the flickering firelit dining room ofBanksia, 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!
For cosy coffee dates, we recommend taking the scenic drive toCandelo Cafe in the beautiful village of Candelo, about 25-minutes inland from Merimbula. You can warm up by the fire of their country-style eatery and enjoy local Bega Valley eggs, wood-fired Wheatley Lane sour dough (made by Candelo's famed micro-bakery) and seriously awesome homemade sausage rolls.
Winter Whale Watching
Get ready for another awe-inspiring season on the Sapphire Coast with winter whale watching in 2025! Sapphire Coastal Adventures is once again setting sail from May through August, offering unforgettable tours during the northern migration of the humpback whales. While the Sapphire Coast is best known for its incredible spring sightings as whales head south to Antarctica, the winter months are fast becoming just as spectacular. Each year, more and more whales are being spotted early in the season, and 2025 is shaping up to be no exception.
From mid-May until August, join Sapphire Coastal Adventures in Merimbula for your chance to witness the magic of humpbacks as they journey north to the warmer waters of the Great Barrier Reef. With experienced guides, breathtaking coastal scenery, and the thrill of spotting these gentle giants up close, a winter whale tour is a must-do experience for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
WINTEr events and festivals
Four Winds: Winter in the Windsong, June - August
The stunning Four Winds venue at Barragga Bay (just south of Bermagui) is presenting a fabulous lineup of live music events this winter. Artists include Lior (June 1), soul sensation Ngaiire and jazz piano luminary Paul Grabowsky (July 11), pianist Simon Tedeschi with jazz vocalist and violinist George Washingmachine (July 27), and classical guitarist Karin Schaupp with pianist Alex Raineri (10 August).
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 trail run, Pups on SUPs at Merimbula Lake (woof woof!), Streetfest on Market (live music and local food), a 32km trail run along the iconic Light to Light walking trail in Beowa National Park, and more!
Merimbula Jazz Festival, 6-9 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.
Located just 15 minutes from Merimbula , it is with good reason that the Sapphire Coast Turf Club is fast becoming one of the most popular tracks in regional New South Wales. Jazz Festival Winter Race Day is a 7 race TAB meet with free buses to and from the track with pickup locations in Eden, Pambula, Merimbula, Tura Beach, Tathra and Bega.
Fungi Feastival, 20 June – 20 July
Learn about the fascinating and unique world of fungi, mushrooms and truffles at this fungi-licious 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, 16 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.
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
Hit the mountain bike trails
The ski fields of Thredbo and Perisher may be only a few hours away, however our favourite winter trails are the mountain biking kind. No crowds, no expensive lift ticket (the trails are free!), no snow storms... and no traffic! Winter is the ideal time of year to plan a road trip to the Sapphire Coast and check out the mountain bike trails in our beautiful coastal forests atGravity Eden and Tathra. There are options for all skill levels and abilities with over 100km of trails explore, as well as an amazing jump park and pump track at Eden.
Explore the Killer Whale Trail
Winter is the perfect time to dive into the rich maritime history of the Sapphire Coast along the Killer Whale Trail. As the weather cools and the ocean stirs with whales migrating north, this self-guided journey offers a deeper look at the incredible relationship between humans and orcas that once defined the region.
Spanning five key heritage sites across Eden and Beowa National Park, the trail tells the story of the legendary Old Tom and the unique partnership between orcas and whalers during the 1800s and early 1900s. Discover historic whaling stations, lookout points, and interpretive signage that bring to life the dramatic tales of teamwork, survival and the sea.
Cooler months offer the ideal conditions for walking, exploring, and spotting whales, all while immersing yourself in one of Australia’s most extraordinary coastal stories.
Explore the Killer Whale Trail
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