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New South Wales (Southern NSW) |
| Merimbula | |
| This flourishing resort/fishing town is situated on the picturesque Lake Merimbula at the entrance to the Merimbula River. It is a haven for relaxing by the sea or enjoying its many attractions which include excellent surfing , fishing, boating, a fantastic golf course and delicious fresh seafoods. | |
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pretty township of MERIMBULA attracts a lot of holiday-makers from
Victoria because of its accessibility, year-round temperate climate and
good beaches. Between tanning sessions, you can cruise Merimbula Lake
(actually the wide mouth of the Merimbula River) and Pambula Lake with
several different companies for around $20 for two hours: Sinbad Cruises
(book at the tourist centre) are recommended for their interesting
commentary on Aboriginal history and oyster cultivation, while Merimbula
Marina (tel 02/6495 1686) offers $20 dolphin cruises.
There are also whale-watching tours (Sept–early Dec) costing $40 for 4 hours. Cruises and boat rental can both be arranged at the Merimbula Tourist Information Booking Service, Beach Street (daily 9am–4pm, school holidays until 5pm; tel 02/6495 1129); they also have info on lots of other activities in the area, including 4WD forest tours and horse-riding. If the Sinbad cruise kindles an interest in the Aboriginal culture of the area, look up Umburra Cultural Tours (tel 02/4473 7232), run by the local land council based at Wallaga Lake and led by Koorie guides. By bus, you can get to Merimbula from Canberra, Cooma or Eden with Countrylink, from Sydney or Melbourne with Greyhound Pioneer, and from Sydney or Eden with Pioneer Motor Service. Hazelton (tel 13 1713) flies to Merimbula from Sydney at least twice daily and Kendell Airlines (tel 13 1300) flies twice daily from Melbourne. There are several places to eat out, including the Waterfront Café, on the promenade by the tourist office, which has a seafood and snack menu (daily: March–Dec 8am–5pm; Jan–Feb 8am–midnight). Also on the promenade, the Lakeside Café is open for lunch and dinner serving assorted fish dishes and some veggie options, and the Lakeview Hotel on Market Street has a bistro open for lunch and dinner. Merimbula has several good Asian restaurants, particularly the cheap Thai Noodle House at 15 Market St (daily 11am–8.30pm) and Bahn Thai at 17 Merimbula Drive (tel 02/6495 4555) open daily for dinner. Opposite each other in the shopping centre on Princes Highway, try Saigon Palace (tel 02/6495 3255) for Vietnamese cuisine, or Pedro’s for Mexican meals. Accommodation |
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there are dozens of motels and holiday apartments, all of
them can be heavily booked during the summer holidays, when many holiday
apartments accept only weekly bookings with rates starting at around $220.
Kalorama Caravan Park, Millingandi Rd, Pambula. Swimming pool, toddlers’ pool and tennis court. Mandeni Resort, Sapphire Coast Drive, 7km north. Fully equipped timber cottages in a bushland setting, sleeping a maximum of six. Facilities include tennis courts, two swimming pools, a golf course and many walking trails. Weekly bookings only. South Haven Caravan Park, Elizabeth St, between Merimbula Lake and the beach. Sauna, heated pool, tennis and squash courts. |
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