Pack the car – this dreamy South Coast road trip is made for spring

While it’s common for Sydneysiders to flock to Jervis Bay in the summertime (evidenced by the blocked roads surrounding the postcard-perfect Hyams Beach), I suggest driving a further hour and a half down south on your next road trip, landing at the Eurobodalla Shire. I won’t try to plug it as a hidden gem – it’s been on the map for years with Wagonga Inlet’s swirling aquamarine waters and the salty briney Narooma Oyster Festival (held annually in May). Do I still think it’s the perfect change of pace from a never-stopping city life? Absolutely. And it’s also noticeably quieter than Wollongong, Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay (especially in springtime when I visit, narrowly avoiding the summer crew).

We gear up in the swanky new Mazda CX-5 for a smooth handle along the Kiama bends (thanks to Mazda’s Jinba Ittai driving dynamics, connecting the driver with the car). It holds the record as Mazda’s best-selling model, only this one is the third iteration of the classic with more cabin space – perfect for those longer drives. 

Here’s the lowdown on squeezing the most out of a weekend roadtrip.

What to do in Narooma

You’ve got to dive into the water in Narooma. As we pull up to the dock, we see people floating on jet skis and stand-up paddle boards (plus fishermen sprinkled along the jetty and rockwalls). We’re heading out with Montague Island Adventures where you can hop off the charter to take a guided tour of the protected nature reserve with passionate National Park rangers, or take a swim with the island’s resident seals. Hot tip: if you come in Nov/Dec, you’ll get to snorkel with the mega-playful, newly born seal pups. Adorbs.

For an experience I guarantee you’ve never tried before, book a tasting tour with Mystery Bay Kelp. Run by female entrepreneur, Lee-Anne, you’ll explore the picturesque Mystery Bay, just 10 minutes from Narooma, (this hidden cover for beachgoers *is* an actual hidden gem) before heading to the workspace to try seasoning powders made from the seaweed that washes up in the bay with pretty surprising health properties.

For a really special moment? Set your alarm and catch the sunrise at Australia Rock where rays shining right through the centre create an incredible photo op. 

Where to stay in Narooma 

We spend the weekend at The Whale, only re-opened this year after some extensive renovations and a tasteful terracotta Palm Springs makeover. There are multiple reasons this is a dreamy stay (rooms that open directly out to the pool, views of the water, record players in the rooms and the sauna/ice bath space with a view), but the highlight is the magnesium pool, heated to 29 degrees. Even though the spring weather still has a nip to it, we spend hours swimming outside (and so do most guests). 

If you’ve packed the Mazda CX-5’s more spacious cabin area with the whole family, the region is home to plenty of cosy apartment style accommodation to fit everyone like Narooma Palms Holiday Apartments or the beachfront BIG4 Narooma Easts Holiday Park with cabins, glamping, and campsites.

To eat 

Attached to the hotel is Cantonese restaurant Queen Chow, dishing up some very generously sized breakfast plates, lunch and dinner (prawn toast, dumplings, local sashimi, Peking duck pancakes). There’s also Quarterdeck with local seafood (Wagonga oysters, fish and chips, marinara pasta), upscale tacos and water views. 

We also venture further to Narooma’s local haunts – The Oyster Farmer’s Daughter is a super relaxed waterfront joint dishing up fresh Coxton family oysters, fish and chips and icy raspberry mojitos. For dinner, it’s Rosso Pepe – a small but mighty pizzeria where the kitchen staff work as a mean team on the woodfire pizza oven. It’s clear it’s a local favourite by the constantly packed tables and stacks of takeaway orders.

For lunch, Honorbread’s legendary chicken sandwiches are calling. Pack them to-go alongside your water toys in the CX-5’s larger cargo area for the perfect beach day, and don’t go past one of the flaky pastries for breakfast. 

Ready to hit the road? Find out more about the new Mazda CX-5 here.