The best things to do, eat and where to stay on the Sapphire Coast

A six-hour drive from Sydney and seven from Melbourne, take the coastal route from Sydney to Bermagui for those postcard-pretty views. Stop off along the way in Wollongong, where you can enjoy a five-star meal at the Italian trattoria Santino and then stretch your legs in Batemans Bay. If time is not of the essence, then scale 15 kilometres of clifftops on the newly opened Munjip Trail.

If you want to save the views for when you arrive, opt for the inland drive where you’ll pass through Bowral and Goulburn. Both coastal and inland options will tack on roughly 400 kilometres to your car, but the former route is slightly quicker.

If it's more about the destination than the journey, direct flights from Sydney to Merimbula Airport will take just one hour and will land you no more than an hour from the region’s best towns. 

The Sapphire Coast delivers the spoils of nature – AKA long stretches of unblemished native forest and beaches mostly without a soul in sight. Start at Horsehead Rock which appears exactly as the name suggests, then put on your swimmers and take a dip at Bermagui Blue Pool. The naturally formed swimming pool sits at the bottom of a cliff and right on the edge of the sea, with water flowing in from the ocean so you can even squeeze in some snorkelling.

From Bermagui, a drive along the coastline to Tathra offers plenty of beaches and rockpools to stop at. If you’re visiting from July to November, wander down to the heritage-listed wharf for whale sightings or join a Sapphire Coast Whale Trail for better chances. 

An afternoon in Merimbula is a must. The seaside town constantly ranks as one of the best Small Tourism Towns in NSW year on year for its white-sand beaches, seaside markets and family-friendly offerings, including the Magic Mountain fun park and entertainment hub Top Fun. For a one-of-a-kind activity, sign up for a Kayak and Shuck Tour where you’ll spot wildlife while learning the art of opening an oyster, all in a day’s work. If you like the sound of hitting the water but aren’t a fan of mollusks, try an Aboriginal Cultural Kayak Tour in Pambula instead. 

Further down in Eden, register for distilling classes at Gin School, and feel like you’re taking potions or dark arts at Hogwarts. Every student gets the chance to make their own recipe from more than 30 botanicals on offer. Alternatively, Eden offers an unmissable diving tour where you’ll explore wrecks, wharfs and underwater caves with guided professionals. 

At the southern-most point of the Sapphire Coast, Boewa National Park (formerly Ben Boyd National Park) lures in travellers with creeks, lagoons and one of New South Wales’ Great Walks, Light to Light. This 32-kilometre hike traces the coastline between the historic Boyds Tower and Green Cape Lighthouse, with wild beaches and dolphin spotting along the way. 

It’s not just natural wonders that beckon in the Sapphire Coast. The region is internationally renowned for the quality of its oysters, and also serves up craft beer, coffee and gelato to rival your favourite inner-city spots. 

Wake up with carbs and coffee from Cranky Cafe, Toast or Wild Orchard Cafe. If you’re in town for more than a weekend, grab some quality sourdough from Honorbread Bakery to see you through the trip. Wild Rye's Bakery in Pambula also serves a top-notch menu of breads alongside heavenly pies and pastries. For a day-to-night venue, park yourself at Sunny’s Kiosk. The dreamy spot overlooks a lake and offers all-day breakfast and minimal-intervention wines after sundown.  

The seafood along the Sapphire Coast is no joke, and given that millions of oysters are harvested right here every year, it's only right that the region has its own oyster trail. Just be sure to include The Oyster Barn in your hit list and order the seasonal special. 

For a special occasion, Banksia Restaurant in Pambula delivers laid-back fine dining with a farm-to-table menu served inside a weatherboard cottage. There’s also Mimosa Wines, a boutique family-owned restaurant run by a Michelin-starred chef. For quick bites, grab authentic Italian pizza at Bar Monti, soul-soothing broths at Umiko and a scoop of gelato from Bianchi Gelati.

The sea meets the mountains at Tilba Lake Camp, an 11-acre property dotted with tiny homes, a sauna, pool and toasty fire pit. If you want to properly unplug, head to Tanja Lagoon for a choose-your-own-adventure stay with cosy glamping tents and eco cabins available. You’ll need to pick up your own dinner on the way but there is electricity, hot water and a small wood burning fire pit in each tent.  

Eco-conscious travellers should check out Sugar Rock Ranch, a wilderness refuge committed to the environment, or get back to nature in a glamping tent at Murrah Dream Retreat. 

If you want to romanticise small-town living, check into Lotte’s Hjem. The 150-year-old weatherboard cottage delivers on all the homey pleasures with fresh-cut flowers, a quaint garden, a small library of books, a zinc soaking tub, rainfall shower and heated floors. The pantry comes fully stocked and there’s three bedrooms in case you want to pack in a few more friends or family members. 

Another place packed with history is the grand waterfront hotel Seahorse Inn. First built in the 1840s, the inn was partly restored in the ‘50s before receiving a million-dollar makeover in the early 2000s. It now stands as one of Eden’s top accommodations to rest your head (or host a wedding). 

Motels are having a moment in New South Wales, with many of the rundown roadside spots being transformed into luxe hotels. Two worth checking out (and into) can be found in Merimbula. Hillcrest keeps the retro charm of the property’s 50-year heritage with a few contemporary upgrades. There’s still a ‘70s charm to the whole place with sun lounges by the swimming pool, a cabana and barbecue pit and synthetic grass tennis courts. If you don’t want to leave modern day behind, head to South Seas Motel for cosy rooms, a giant solar-powered pool and EV charging points right at your door. 

There’s no shortage of watering holes along the Sapphire Coast. Start at Longstocking Brewery for small batch brews, then head to North of Eden for out-of-the-box offerings including an oyster shell gin. There’s also Humpback Brewery, which you'll find inside the former pokies room at Tathra Hotel pouring 11 seasonal brews and an apple cider on tap. 

For a neighbourhood wine bar that would feel right at home in Surry Hills, Bar Superette delivers. Open from noon to night, there's a la carte and set menus, wine by the glass, classic cocktails and a shop in case you want to take a bottle home. What’s more to love? 

Built in 1925, Dulcie’s Cottage opened with a bang in 2015 thanks to a former 10 William St chef overseeing the menu. These days, it’s a great pit-stop for roadtrippers who know the value of live music and good cocktails. There’s also a ‘50s-style food van serving milk bun burgers in case hunger hits. 

Start planning your visit here.