It is now early November 2023, and we are travelling along the Princess Highway, which is known as Highway 1. This major highway extends from Sydney, via Melbourne and onto Adelaide. It has a length of 1,941km and mostly follows the coast line with some amazing views and some wonderful towns to visit. This is known as the Sapphire Coast and we are now following the Pacific Ocean. When travelling along the Princess Highway its best you are not in a hurry. It certainly isn’t the fastest route to take but is very picturesque.
Batemans Marine Park, Narooma
Location: Wagonga River, Princess Highway, Narooma NSW
Distance: 93km South-East of Depot Beach Campground
As you come into Narooma you’ll notice the views are just gorgeous with the most amazing blue water. We found this interesting bridge that crosses the Wagonga Inlet, the steel bridge was built between 1929 and 1931. Narooma is surrounded by beautiful blue water, being the Wagonga River and Pacific Ocean.
This Marine Park is a protected area and extends from the most northerly point of Murramarang Beach near Bawley Point to the southern side of Wallace Lake entrance at Murunna Point. It includes approximately 850 km2, extending from 3 nautical miles offshore. Snorkelling, SCUBA diving and recreational fishing are just some of the things that can be enjoyed here.
Pictures and words can’t describe how beautiful it is here, it must be seen. Once over the bridge we found a place to park and enjoyed a cool and brisk walk around the town.
Bega Showgrounds, Bega
Location: 40 Upper St, Bega NSW 2550
Duration: 2 nights
Distance: 83 km south-east from Narooma
Cost: $20/night Un-Powered
Facilities: Toilets, Showers, Drinking Water, Power, Washing Machine, Pets Allowed, Dump Point, Rubbish Bins
The caretaker is very friendly and helpful is finding you a suitable site to suit your rig. Beware it is all on a slope and you will need to chock up. We didn’t have much luck with finding places open on or days there. But we did manage to visit the Bega Cheese Factory and do a lovely walk along the Bega River Walungari trail. It is an easy trail and about 8.5km, it is popular for hiking, walking and running. It connects the old Bega Racecourse, Bega River Reserve and the Apex Park, there a plenty of places to stop to have a picnic lunch or a snack.
Tathra Wharf
Location: Tathra, Sapphire Coast, NSW
Distance: 18km East of Bega Showground
Tathra is located between Merimbula and Bermagui and is home to Sydney Rock Oysters. Tathra is another town you must stop for a walk around the town and viewing the amazing sights. I can see why they call this area the Sapphire Coast as it is just stunning and that blue water must be seen. There is a detour off the highway if you want to visit Tathra but it is not very far and well worth the detour. This town is worthy of a stay of a few nights to see everything on offer. We of course were on our way to Eden, so only had a few hours here. The historic wharf is worth a visit, although it was currently closed for repairs when we were there. The headland walk links up with the wharf, it is a very easy walk along a paved path or boardwalks and is very short.
Eden Gateway Holiday Park, Eden
Location: 99 Princess Highway, Eden NSW 2551
Duration: 4 nights
Distance: 50km South-West Tathra Wharf
Cost: $30/night Un-Powered
Facilities: Camp Kitchen, Herb Garden, Playground, Toilets, Showers, Dump Point, Enormous Kangaroos
Wow what a gem of a place to visit, Eden is just stunning with so much to see and do. We originally planned to just stay overnight but ended up staying for 4 nights. The Managers of the caravan park were super friendly and helpful and have a wealth of knowledge.
The caravan park is very well equipped with a great camp kitchen, games room and communal herb garden. There is a playground for the kids and equipment to hire. Walking trails are right across the road.
Lake Curalo walking Trail
This is a 2km return short walk. It is a boardwalk that is flat and circles Lake Curalo and joins Asling Beach.
There is an abundant of bird life and the track meanders through melaleuca forest, across salt marsh and onto the estuary mouth. You will be serenaded by the bell birds while you walk.
Aslings Beach
Aslings Beach is located int he heart of the picturesque town of Eden. The beach offers both surf and swimming beaches. The northern end of the beach meets up with Lake Curalo. You can see humpback whales during August to November. The foreshore has a skatepark, sports ground an amenities all along the foreshore, making it perfect place to take the kids.
Pamboola Wetlands and Heritage Project
Pambula has many places to visit, plus it is a delightful town to visit and explore. The highlight of Pambula for us was the Pamboola Wetlands, it is such a peaceful place to visit and spend some time at. You can choose to walk or ride your bike around the tracks here. There are picnic tables, shade and plenty of photography options. It is such a diverse wetland comprising of billabongs, saline areas, a tidal channel, tidal mud flats, mangroves and salt marsh. With the billabongs there is also plenty of birdlife plus the flora and fauna is in abundance here. This has to be one of the best conservation projects we had the privilege of visiting. The once the old racecourse has 27 hectares of Crown Land and local benefactors to the community donated 55 hectares which is jointly managed by the Pambula Wetlands and Heritage Reserve Trust.
Once you have finished your walk around the wetlands, take yourself over the road to the Oaklands Cafe for some lunch and then walk on through to the Longstocking Brewery for a tasting paddle of beer or a cheeky gin.
Pambula River Walking Track
it is only a 1km return walk with a suggested walk time of 20-40 minutes. It was a pretty cool day when we started walking and I’m pleased about that, as once we got onto the track it was completely calm with no breeze and extremely hot.
It is a grade 4 walking track with very limited signage, a very rough track and many obstacles. Nevertheless, gorgeous views of the river below. There appears to be no right or wrong way entry/exit points and basically just go in and out along whichever track suits your ability.
Boydtown
Boydtown is a village on Twofold Bay at Eden. It was first established by Benjamin Boyd in 1843 and is a 10 minute drive from Eden.
The Seahorse Inn has been restored and is a really lovely place to relax by the ocean with a glass of wine. The hotel offers accommodation, meals or just a drink.
After walking around the very small town and the Seahorse Inn, we made our way up to some ruins we could see on top of a hill. It was a church built by Ben Boyd in the 1840’s, apparently it was never consecrated. Made for great views from up top.
Snug Cove
Snug Cove is where three wharfs join in one of NSW’s most beautiful coastal towns. You will find the Visitor Information Centre here and during October to March the big cruise liners dock here as well, being NSW’s southernmost deep water harbour.
Quarrantine Bay
This was a most stunning place to visit, the views of the ocean were so delightful. Here you will find a massive boat ramp, breakwater and floating jetty. This beach is virtually wave free due to the breakwater wall. There is a fish cleaning station and early waiting sting rays and Great Cormorants waiting to help eat the scraps of fish.
Chris & Sharon's Camping Adventures 