australia Archives - Salty Sweet Journeys

Australia January 22, 2025

A weekend guide to Ballarat with Kids

Ballarat: A perfect place for little explorers

A perfect destination to spend a weekend with kids, Ballarat is a short drive from Melbourne and with some incredible enriching attractions for the whole family. Learn about history when Ballarat was the centre of the gold rush era in the 1850s by exploring Sovereign Hill, riding the vintage tram or strolling through the manicured botanical gardens. Check out the guide below on the best things to do in Ballarat with Kids.

Getting to Ballarat

Just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Ballarat is easily accessible by car and by regional train from the centre of Melbourne. V-Line trains depart every hour from Southern Cross station and take 1.5 hours to reach Ballarat Station. It’s the perfect close enough destination from Melbourne to spend a weekend with kids!

Why choose Ballarat for a family weekend trip

Short easy drive from Melbourne or an easy commute via regional train
A town steeped in history, with interesting historical attractions like the Ballarat Tramway Museum & Sovereign Hill to learn about the gold rush era in Australia
A stunning lake with manicured gardens for a picnic and plenty of fun activities for the little ones

Lydiard St Ballarat — Lydiard Street, the main grand street in Ballarat

Top 5 Attractions to see when in Ballarat with Kids

Sovereign Hill

For everyone that comes to visit Ballarat, especially from interstate and overseas, Sovereign Hill is THE MUST see attraction in Ballarat. Experience a fully living museum showing what life was like in the 1850s during the gold rush era in the Ballarat area.

Walk the streets of the old town (where everyone who works there is also dressed in traditional clothing), pan for gold in the river or check out the mines to look for some gold. There is so much more too! A place where you can easily spend the whole day. During the winter school holidays in June / July, Sovereign Hill comes alive for its Winter Wonderlights.

You can read my full review of Sovereign Hill coming soon HERE. Entry to Sovereign Hill is 49.50 AUD for Adults and 31 AUD for kids ages 5 and above. Open daily 10 am to 5 pm, except for mondays outside holidays.

Ballarat Wildlife Park

The Ballarat Wildlife Park is a must for animal lovers and beaming with native Australian animals! You can hand-feed the free-roaming kangaroos and see many other animals like koalas, wombats, meerkats, reptiles, crocodiles and even tigers.

Presentation and talks run throughout the day so check ahead the schedule so you don’t miss out! Close-up encounters with the animals are also available at an additional cost. Entry to the Ballarat Wildlife Park is 40 AUD per adults and 20 AUD for kids 5 yrs and above. Family tickets are available at a discounted rate for 95 AUD for 2 adults and up to 4 children.

Ballarat Botanical Gardens

These beautiful gardens located opposite Lake Wenduree are a wonderful spot for a walk-through or picnic! The shaded grassed areas are plentiful and there is heaps of space to run around for the kids. The 40-hectare garden also has lots of fountains, gazebos and a beautiful conservatory to explore.

The gardens come alive in March for the Ballarat Begonia Festival which is when floral displays and the festival take over the gardens and parts of the city. More information at the Ballarat Begonia Festival Website. The Festival is set to run from 8 to 10 March 2025.

Ballarat Tramway Museum

Ballarat vintage tram and museum, a perfect attraction to visit when visiting Ballarat on a weekend with kids — Ballarat Tram & Museum

A fun and affordable outing for a family is the Ballarat Tram Museum. The museum has a large collection of beautifully restored late 1800s’ trams and play areas for children. The tram ride is run by volunteers who beautifully explain the history of the tramways in Ballarat and how the trams used to operate.

The entry includes access to the museum as well as a tram ride on the historic trams along the 3.2 km track from the museum along Lake Wenduree and back. A real hit with the kids! Entry to the museum and 1 tram ride is 40 AUD for 2 adults and 2 children. Open most days 11 am to 4 pm, check website as some days they have closures.

Lake Wenduree Apex Adventure Playground & Paddle Boats

This is a must-see when visiting Ballarat with Kids and is guaranteed to be lots of fun for the little ones. Lake Wenduree Adventure playground is huge and in a great location facing Lake Weduree and is surrounded by grassed areas, which makes for a perfect spot for a picnic too. A Tram ice cream van is also on-site during the holidays.

Another fun thing to do over on the lake too not far from the playground (walking towards the Botanical Gardens just before Pipers by the Lake), families can also hire pedal boats for a paddle on Lake Wenduree. Note the pedal boats operate subject to weather conditions, 22 AUD for 20 minutes, cash or PayID only.

Family friendly dining in Ballarat

Bakery window at 1816 Ballarat — Croissaints at 1816 Bakery in Ballarat

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating in Ballarat, these are some family favourite places to eat in Ballarat:

1816 Bakehouse: A sourdough artisanal bakery, it’s must try stop for all deliciously freshly baked goods, think croissants, pastries, pies, bread, pizza and more. Perfect to pick up some yummy treats for a picnic! 1806.com.au
The Forge Pizzeria: A longstanding traditional italian pizzeria dishing out amazing thin-crust pizza from the woodfire oven. They also recently added a second location in Ballarat! theforgepizzeria.com
Hideaway Coffee Bar: Perfect for a tasty breakfast & brunch, 10 AUD Kids menu options available. hideawayballarat.com
Eclectic Tastes Cafe & Pantry: Not far from the lake and another great spot for breakfast/brunch, an extensive kids menu is available. eclecticstastes.com.au
Golden Point Hotel: Located close to Sovereign Hill, this family-friendly bistro offers pub classics, as well as pizza and some international options. Kids menu available and a huge indoor Kids Planet playground! goldenpointhotel.com.au

Where to stay in Ballarat with Kids

Best Budget Accommodation in Ballarat – Sovereign Park Motor Inn

Sovereign Park Motor Inn Indoor pool – Image courtesy of Expedia

Check Prices and Availability for Sovereign Park Motor Inn on Expedia HERE

Conveniently located close to Sovereign Hill (10 minute walk), the Sovereign Park Motor Inn is perfect for families looking for good value and great facilities in one place.

The Motor Inn has an indoor pool as well as an indoor pickleball court, table tennis and pool tables available for guests to use. The rooms have all the amenities you need for a short stay and family rooms as well as larger 2 bedroom suites are available. It’s a great option if you need a place to stay in Ballarat with Kids!

Check Prices and Availability for Sovereign Park Motor Inn on Expedia HERE

Mid Range, Spacious Accommodation in Ballarat – Quest Ballarat Station

The modern interiors of Quest Ballarat Central -Image Courtesy of Expedia

Check Prices and Availability for Quest Ballarat Station on Expedia HERE

This recent addition by Quest Apartments offers modern accommodations in studios and larger apartments equipped with all the best amenities. The location is central to the city just a short walk from Ballarat Station.

Check Prices and Availability for Quest Ballarat Station on Expedia HERE

Trendy Accommodation in Ballarat – The Provincial Ballarat

One of the stylish rooms at the Provincial Ballarat – Image courtesy of Expedia

Check Prices and Availability for The Provincial Boutique Hotel Ballarat on Expedia HERE

This beautifully restored, historic pub now has individually decorated rooms and suites. 1 & 2 Bedroom stylish apartments are available for families. The property also has a trendy onsite restaurant and bar called Lola, that serves up modern European dishes with locally sourced produce. A kids menu is also available.

Check Prices and Availability for The Provincial Boutique Hotel Ballarat on Expedia HERE

Want to read more about Ballarat?

You can read more about Ballarat in my other post on Sovereign Hill coming soon.

View Post

Australia July 14, 2024

Top 8 Things to do in Merimbula with Kids

Merimbula in the NSW coast is a fantastic family friendly destination. With so many activities for kids of all ages, that includes fishing, outdoor adventures and even it’s own theme park, there is something to do for everyone! These are the Top 8 Things to do in Merimbula with Kids.

_{This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking, I make a small commission. This is at absolutely NO additional cost to you and helps me keep the site running!}

Why Merimbula is a great family destination

Lots of natural attractions to explore and opportunities to learn about the local wildlife
A proper town centre well equipped with everything you need and with things to do for the whole family, for younger and older children
Magic Mountain theme park is lots of fun and makes for an exciting day out in Merimbula

Read on to find out more on the Top 8 Things to do in Merimbula with Kids!

These are the 8 Top Things to do in Merimbula with kids.

Magic Mountain

Guaranteed fun for all the family is Magic Mountain, one of the Top Things to do in Merimbula with Kids. Merimbula’s own theme park has been around for over 30 years and popular with locals and tourist alike.

It is located just a few minutes out of town. Entry to the theme park gives you access to all the rides. It includes a toboggan ride, minigolf, a rollercoaster, dodgem carts, tube rider and more. In summer there are also 2 extremely popular (and steep) water slides and a play pool for younger ones.

Magic mountain roller coaster — Rollercoaster at Magic Mountain

There is plenty of space for picnics, as well as a playground, a maze, bouncy castle and of course a café to fuel up for the day. We spent the whole day here and the kids had an absolute ball.

DETAILS: Open daily in summer and on selected dates during VIC/NSW school holidays from 10am to 4pm – 59 AUD for adults, 52 AUD for children 4 to 12 yrs. Children below 4 years have FREE entry. Discounts offered for pre-booking online and for season passes. Some days the park can be closed for private functions, check the website first! More info on the website HERE.

Bega Heritage Centre

A popular place to the take the kids for a tasty cheese toastie is of course Bega! Bega is the home of popular Bega Cheese and you can reach it in just 30 minutes drive from Merimbula.

Head to the Bega Heritage Centre, onsite where the Bega Factory is to see the wonderfully recreated farmhouse, machinery and cows that the kids will love looking at and learning more about. The in-house buzzing café is great for lunch or to stock up on local goodies and cheese for a picnic.

DETAILS: Open daily 9 am to 4 pm. Entry to the Farmhouse is FREE for a look around! More info on the website HERE.

Merimbula Beach & Ford Park

The pristine 5 km stretch of sand of the Merimbula Main beach is a must see for families. It’s patrolled over summer and has plenty of space to play in the sand and water.

Ford park a popular playground — Ford Park

Just backing on the beach, Ford Park playground is perfect for little ones and popular with locals and families here on holidays. It’s fully fenced and also has lots of sitting areas and BBQs. The Merimbula Seaside Market is also hosted here on the 3rd Sunday of each month.

Merimbula Boardwalk

This stunning walk is an easy stroll for kids and stroller friendly. The Merimbula Boardwalk stretches from just off the main street at Market Streets and stretches for just over 3 km (return loop). Young ones will enjoy being able to see up close all the oysters, fish and oyster farms on the shallow wooden boardwalk.

Top Fun

For rainy days, Top Fun is an indoor and outdoor fun place for the whole family. Top Fun has a 10 pin bowling alley, laser tag, 18 hole minigolf, as well as a full arcade with heaps of games.

DETAILS: Open daily 10 am to 8 pm, longer weekends and summertime. Each activity is charged separately. Prices starting from 8 AUD for kids and 15 AUD for adults playing minigolf. Discounts offered COMBO deals starting from 26 AUD per person to play in 2 attractions to include Minigolf, Lasertag and Bowling. Check the website for the most up do date opening hours HERE.

Barefoot Bowls at Club Sapphire

Barefoot bowls in Merimbula — Barefoot Bowls at the Club Sapphire

Club Sapphire in Merimbula is a huge entertainment complex with restaurants and a full sized lawn bowls club. A fantastic budget family friendly activity in Merimbula is Barefoot Bowls, the spacious undercover lawn bowls also has a playground for kids right next to the lawns!

The attached Pacific Bistro serves up delicious pub meals with a kids menu and perfect for a feed after a game of bowls. Kitty’s Bar and Restaurant also onsite is a popular dining spot for delicious Asian fusion meals and has kid friendly dining on Wednesdays and Thursday nights.

Seafood platter in Merimbula — Dining at the Pacific Bistro

DETAILS: Club Sapphire is Open daily 10 am to 10 pm, longer weekends and summertime. 2 hour Barefoot Bowl sessions Prices can be booked HERE starting from 10.50 AUD for kids and 16 AUD for adults playing. Discounts Family Pass for 2 adults and up to 3 children at 42 AUD. Check the website for the most up do date opening hours HERE. Bookings necessary HERE for dining in the bistro or at Kitty’s.

Potooroo Palace

Another family – friendly popular attraction in Merimbula is Potoroo Palace. If you are an animal lover and are looking for experiences to interact and get up close with local wildlife and see some potooroos, Potooroo Palace is the perfect place. This wildlife park is less than 10 minute drive from the centre of Merimbula and allows you to Feed free roaming kangaroos, ride the miniature train and have close up encounters with koalas, reptiles and many more incredible animals.

DETAILS: Open daily 9am to 4pm – 25 AUD for adults, 16 AUD for children over 3 yrs. Children below 3 years are charged 5 AUD. Discounts offered for family tickets.

Merimbula Wharf and Aquarium

Merimbula Aquarium, one of the top attractions in Merimbula with kids — Merimbula Aquarium

Perched at the top of a popular fishing pier in Merimbula, the Wharf in Merimbula is not only a amazing seafood restaurant, it’s also a full size 70,000 litre aquarium with over 20 tanks with local and tropical sea creatures!

A highlight for little ones is seeing the fish during feeding times at 11.30am every Wednesdays & Fridays and on Thursdays also during school holidays.

DETAILS: Open Wed to Sunday 10am to 4pm, longer on weekends – 25 AUD for adults, 17 AUD for children. Discounts offered for family tickets. Check on the website for the most up to date details.

Where is Merimbula

Merimbula is located in NSW, 75 km from the Victorian Border, and approximately 7 hours drive from Melbourne. From Merimbula, you can reach Sydney in 6 hours drive, and Canberra in a 3 hours drive.

Merimbula is also served by Merimbula Airport that has local and charter flights operating across regional cities as well as Melbourne and Sydney (just one 1 hour flight time).

Where to stay in Merimbula

There are so many places to stay in Merimbula for families. From self catering accommodation to caravans parks, there is something to suit all budgets!

Luxury Family friendly accommodation

Coast Resort Merimbula is a great accommodation option for families! The resort offers luxury townhouses and apartments with stylish interiors as well as 2 swimming pools and a tennis court. The resort is also located just a short walk to the main beach in Merimbula and the popular Ford Park Playground, just across the road. You can read my full review here.

Check out prices and availability for Coast Resort Merimbula HERE

Midrange/Budget Family friendly accommodation

NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort is a fantastic resort for kids. A playground, pool and school holidays club will keep the kids entertained. With holiday cabins ranging from budget friendly standard cabins up to Spa Villas and Glamping tents, there is something to suit every budget.

Check out prices and availability for NRMA Merimbula HERE

NRMA Resort Merimbula – Photo Courtesy of Expedia

Want to read more about Merimbula?

Hope you enjoyed this post on the Top 8 things to in Merimbula with Kids!

Want to venture to more places in the area like the hidden Eden Rockpools or the Killer Whale Museum? You can read more about it in my other post on the Top 7 Experiences in and around Merimbula HERE.

View Post

Australia July 6, 2024

Lake Mountain Alpine Resort with Kids – UPDATED 2025

If you are thinking of taking the family to the snow in Victoria, Lake Mountain is the perfect place as a first experience of the snow for young kids. Read through these tried and tested Frugal Tips and FAQ for visiting Lake Mountain Alpine Resort with kids in the 2025 snow season that will save you time, money, and STRESS! All that will be left to do is to HAVE FUN!

_{This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking, I make a small commission. This is at absolutely NO additional cost to you and helps me keep the site running!}

Where is Lake Mountain

Located in the Yarra Ranges, at just 2 hours from Melbourne, Lake Mountain is the closest place to the city where you can get to the snow. It’s perfect for a weekend away this winter!

Getting to Lake Mountain

You can get there on the Maroondah Highway and via Healesville and Marysville, through the lush green forest of the Black Spur. The best way to get there is by self-driving, no shuttle is available this year to reach the mountain from Marysville.

Where to stay in Lake Mountain Alpine Resort with Kids

There are plenty of places to stay near Lake Mountain for a fantastic snow getaway with the family.

Marysville is the perfect place to stay when visiting Lake Mountain and that is 30 minutes drive to the entry for Lake Mountain. Peppers Marysville is a popular accommodation resort located right in the centre of Marysville, this beautiful resort has rooms that can cater for families with 2 double beds or a double bed with a sofa bed.

Healesville is also another popular destination to stay when going to Lake Mountain and is 1 hour away.

Check Prices and Availability for Peppers Marysville HERE

Top Frugal Tips when visiting Lake Mountain Alpine Resort with Kids in 2025

Save time and Pre-Book Resort entry

Entry to the resort is set for the 2025 season at 67 AUD per car. You need to pay this just to enter the mountain, even if you do not want to use the toboggans or cross country ski. The entry fee can be paid at the gate when you arrive at the mountain.

You can pre-book online to save time! The process to book online is easy and you can do it in the morning before you drive up, just don’t forget to check the Live Cam first on the website to check snow / access conditions!

Get there early to get a car spot close to the slopes

The resort and facilities at Lake Mountain open at 8am so ideally you want to get there as early as you can (by 8.30-9am). Not only the snow conditions are generally better first thing in the morning but you also want to get a car park ideally as close as the toboggan runs as possible.

You will be bound to be going back and forward to the car for food, drinks etc..so having the car close by rather than a long walk away will be super handy. On the weekends – by about 10 am (and sometimes earlier) both the upper car parks are full!

In that case you would need to park the car further along the road, and sometimes even on the secondary car park that is even further down.

Pack your lunch and take lots of snacks

Playing in the snow is tiring and makes kids HUNGRY! Take lots of snacks and food for your day at the snow. If you have a Thermos / Insulated Flask to take some hot water to make hot chocolate, tea/coffee for the grown ups it will go down a treat to warm you up.

There is one café onsite but it does get extremely busy during lunchtime with wait times of sometimes an hour, especially on the weekends. Having things with you will save you lots of time and money for your day to the snow!

Bring some beach toys and things to build a snowman

Taking snow toys to play is a great way to keep kids entertained

Pack some playing tools like shovels/diggers to play in the snow. It’s a great way to keep the kids busy if they need a break from the toboggans or for younger ones.

And don’t forget CARROTS to build a snowman too of course!

Buy or hire your snow gear in advance

Lake Mountain gets cold. The average temperature during the winter months of June, July and August are between 4 and -1 degrees! Jeans, runners, tracksuit pants or gumboots just won’t do the job in keeping you warm and dry. There isn’t really any seating on the top of the mountain in the play area too! Kids, especially will need that extra layer of clothing to be comfortable on the day.

I prefer to buy my gear rather than hiring it – as the cost for the kids clothing is not much more than hiring and I can keep it for the following year!

You might already have some winter clothing items to wear from home without needing to buy / hire them. If you have a thick winter or puffer jacket, preferably waterproof already at home, that will be suitable for the snow (provided there is not too much rain on the day).

Beanies, thick jumpers, scarves and long socks will be needed to for the snow too.

Essential snow gear required

If you are just planning to do some tobogganing on Lake Mountain, and want to buy your gear to keep, the essential gear that you will need to buy is this (this goes for adults and kids):

Snow boots: Gumboots just won’t do the job in keeping little feet warm and dry as snow can easily get in!
Snow pants: These are worn over pants and are waterproof, as well as being lined and tied at the bottom to keep the snow out and keep you dry
Snow gloves: To keep hands dry and warm. TIP: Younger children might prefer snow mittens, as they are easier to wear than snow gloves
Plastic Toboggans: 1 adult and 1 small child (under 5) can ride on one toboggan so you would usually have 2 for a 2 adult & 2 small kids family to all ride together. Our older son wanted to go on his own, so we found 2 were sufficient anyway with me and my husband taking turns in taking the kids.

Make sure to also pack a spare change of clothes and socks for the car ride home or to your accommodation so that everyone is warm and dry!

Hiring gear from Lake Mountain

You can also HIRE your snow gear in Lake Mountain. Note though there is only 1 hire shop on the mountain and it can be quite busy during weekends and peak period.

Price wise, you are looking at around 55 AUD for a package to hire a child snowsuit, toboggan and boots. The cost for an adult to hire a snow jacket, pants, toboggan and boots is around 75 AUD. If you are staying in Marysville, you could also hire all your snow gear in Marysville in advance to save time!

Also note that in Lake Mountain you cannot hire snow gloves. You would need to purchase these onsite at the retail shop! Or buy those in advance at your local outdoor shop instead!

FAQ

When is the Snow Season at Lake Mountain Alpine resort?

The official 2025 snow season at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort begins on 7th June and ends of the 5th of October 2025. Lake Mountain Alpine Resorts operates Thursday to Mondays, from 8 to 4pm. During Victorian school holidays the Resort is opened every day.

Make sure to ALWAYS check on the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort Website for live updates on opening days and weather conditions before travelling to the mountain!

What kids age group is Lake Mountain Alpine Resort best suited for?

Lake Mountain is perfect for a first family trip to the snow for a day so suitable for kids as young as toddlers. The resort area is small, easy to get around and the snow is easily accessible from the carpark.

What snow activities are available at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort?

The resort caters for tobogganing, cross country skiing and snow play. There are 4 toboggan runs at the resort. From this 2025 season, if you wish to use the toboggan runs, 3 of these are ticketed.

Village Toboggan Run, Koala Creek and Mini Toboggan Run are included with the Toboggan Access Ticket (30 AUD per person, Adult and Child Under 5 can ride together for 40 AUD per person). The Magic Carpet (the conveyor belt that takes you back up the hill) is also included in this price but may operate or not depending on how busy and weather conditions.

These 3 toboggan runs are topped up with artificial snow throughout the season if there is not sufficient snow. On the ticketed toboggan runs – toboggan hire IS included this year and you cannot take your own toboggan on these runs.

Magic Carpet on the Village Toboggan Run

One of the Toboggan Runs is accessible without the Park Access, the Leadbeater Toboggan Run. Note this run is only open if there is sufficient natural snow and here you can use your own toboggan.

If you don’t want to go on the toboggan runs, there are still many viewing areas and plenty of play snow areas for younger children!

There are no skiing or snowboarding facilities in Lake Mountain. No cross country ski lessons this 2025 season.

How much does it cost for a family to go to Lake Mountain for a day trip?

If you are travelling for a day trip to the snow, account for:

Resort Entry per car 67 AUD
Toboggan Park Access 30 AUD per person (Under 5 yrs can toboggan with an adult for 40 AUD)
Lunch costs / snacks
Hire of snow gear / toboggans, Around 60 AUD per child and 80 AUD per adult

Can you stay overnight in Lake Mountain?

No, there are no hotels on the mountain itself and camping is prohibited. The closest towns to stay are Marysville (30 minutes away), Narbethong (35 minutes drive) or Healesville (1 hour away). You can read more about it above in the Where to Stay when visiting Lake Mountain section. You can also browse on Expedia on the link below!

Check Prices and Availability here on Expedia for accommodation near Lake Mountain Alpine Resort

What weather is best for the snow at Lake Mountain Resort?

A sunny, clear day is best when going to the snow! Any rain or snow makes the day cold and wet, especially for little ones. Always check snow conditions on the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort Website before travelling. The website has a live snow camera where you can get live footage of the snow conditions too!

Do I need to carry snow chains at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort?

On snow days, you may be required to have snow chains to carry in your car. Check ahead of your visit on the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort website for weather conditions. Always check if you are required to carry or fit snow chains on your car before travelling to the mountain. More information on Chain days HERE. Wheel chains are available for hire in Marysville.

Want to read more?

Thank you for reading this post on Lake Mountain Alpine Resort with Kids in 2025. You can read more about Things to do in Healesville in my other post here.

View Post

Australia June 12, 2024

7 of the Best things to do in and around Merimbula

Nestled halfway between Melbourne and Sydney – the town of Merimbula is perfect for a week’s escape along the NSW coast. Breath-taking scenic hikes, fishing and sampling the freshest oysters are some of the best things you can do in this fabulous town. These are my Top 7 Best Things to do in and around Merimbula.

_{This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking, I make a small commission. This is at absolutely NO additional cost to you and helps me keep the site running!}

Reasons why to love Merimbula

Beautiful, unspoilt expansive beaches and shallow boardwalks along the lake to explore.
A great dining scene with lots of choice of restaurants and eateries specialising in fresh seafood and of course, OYSTERS!
A proper town centre well equipped with everything you need and with things to do for the whole family.

These are 7 Best Things to do in and around Merimbula

Merimbula Boardwalk

Located alongside Merimbula lake, walking the Boardwalk is a must do activity. The walk runs along the water from Market Street, all along a wooden boardwalk through oyster farms, mangroves and gum tree forests. The boardwalk is shallow and great to explore and see what is in the water too! Signs along the way explain how the oysters are farmed too.

The walk is about 3.4 km return so allow 1.5 hours. At the end of the boardwalk, Sunny’s Kiosk is perched over the lake and a great place to stop for breakfast / lunch.

This is also an easy walk to do with strollers or kids and they can spot the oysters on the open/shallow boardwalk. You can read more about the Best Things to do with kids in Merimbula in my other post HERE.

Try the local Oysters

If there is something you have to try in Merimbula – it’s the seafood! This town is especially well known for producing plenty of Sydney Rock Oysters. These are a MUST TRY when visiting Merimbula and readily available to purchase from local fishmongers and a staple menu item across restaurants and cafés in town.

Oyster farms along the Boardwalk at Merimbula lake — Oyster Farms along the Boardwalk in Merimbula

Look around the water in Merimbula and you will notice the Oyster farms are everywhere. Millions of Oysters are harvested here each year, with the peak producing months from October to June. You can read more about Merimbula Oysters and where to get the BEST ONES in my post HERE!

Go Fishing

No matter if you are a beginner or a pro, this is the place to give a go at fishing! Merimbula is a renowned fishing destination – recreational fishing as well as game fishing are a popular thing to do in the area. Several fishing charters organize fishing trips starting from AUD 100 per person for a half day of fishing.

Tathra wharf, an ideal spot for fishing in Merimbula — Tathra Wharf

Some popular catches include flatheads (from Merimbula Lake) as well as salmon, whiting, bream, trevally, tailor and kingfish. Mitchies Jetty & Merimbula Wharf are where most people fish from. The nearby town of Tathra is also a popular fishing location on the historic, heritage listed wooden pier, the Tathra Wharf. Fabulous views to look at too!

Whale Watching

Another drawcard for the area is seeing the whales during migration season. Huge Humpback Whales make their way down from the Barrier Reef to Antarctica with their baby whales and they can be seen splashing around the water! Taking a charter will give you an even closer look at the whales as well as other animals like dolphins. Prices from AUD 75 per person for 2 hours of whale watching.

Eden lookout to spot some Whales — Eden Lookout

The best time to view these beautiful animals is September to November and can be seen during other times also, but not as frequently and can be harder to spot. The nearby town of Eden also has a long running history with whales and runs a yearly Whale Watching Festival.

The best spots to view the whales during migration season are Short Point Beach in Merimbula, Eden lookout and Tathra Wharf.

The Pinnacles Loop

An incredible, and easy scenic walk nearby Merimbula that is an absolute standout is the Pinnacles Loop. Tucked away off the main road in the Beowa National Park the scenery when you get to the Pinnacle lookout, with its incredible rock face in bright red and orange colours, is amazing to see.

The Pinnacles, one of the best things to do in Merimbula — The Pinnacles

The easy walk is just 1.1 km and takes around 30 minutes. It’s a loop walk from the carpark through pine and gum forest to reach the Pinnacle viewpoint and you can also venture down to the stunning unspoilt Pinnacle beach. A must-see and only 25 minutes drive from Merimbula.

Take a day trip to Eden

A short 20-minute car ride away from Merimbula and you can reach Eden, and this little town has a mighty history of whales and whale hunting. For many years in the 1800′ local whalers had a working relationship with killer whales (Orcas) to hunt other whales for their blubber to use as oil and for some ‘interesting’ experimental medical treatments, such as curing arthritis when standing inside a whale carcass. Yes, you read correctly!

Skeleton of Old Tom, one of the most famous killer whales in Eden — Old Tom – One of the most famous Killer Whales in Eden

The Eden Killer Whale Museum in Eden is definitely worth a visit to learn about the whaling history of the town. It has been operating for over 80 years and showcases many artefacts as well as full-scale skeletons of some of the killer whales. A great way to spend the morning / afternoon while in Eden.

A short drive from the museum in Eden is also the incredible Aslings Beach and Rockpool. The natural landscape and rock formations change from golden to pink depending on the time of day, are a photographer’s dream. Park near Bass Street, head down to the beach and walk about 200 metres to reach the rockpool. You will need to climb over a few rocks to reach it but It’s incredible with amazing views over the coast.

Aslings Rockpool, one of the best natural attraction to see not far from Merimbula — Aslings Rockpool in Eden

Visit the Bega Heritage Centre

With a long history of dairy making dating back to the 1850’s, Bega is the home of course, of popular Bega Cheese, a staple dairy and cheese readily available in all Australian supermarkets. Only 30 minutes drive from Merimbula and you are transported from sandy beaches to a scenery of rolling green pastures that never seem to end.

Bega Lookout over the hills — Bega Valley Lookout

Head to the Bega Valley Lookout for great views, then head to the Bega Heritage Centre, onsite where the Bega Factory is to see the wonderfully recreated farmhouse and machinery, eat some Bega cheese toasties at the in-house buzzing café or stock up on local goodies and cheese for a picnic.

Where is Merimbula

Merimbula is located in NSW, 75 km from the Victorian Border, and approximately 7 hours drive from Melbourne. From Merimbula, you can reach Sydney in 6 hours drive, and Canberra in a 3 hours drive.

Merimbula is also served by Merimbula Airport that has local and charter flights operating across regional cities as well as Melbourne and Sydney (just one 1 hour flight time).

Where to stay in Merimbula

Accommodation is plentiful in Merimbula and with lots of different types of places to stay to suit different budgets.

Luxury

Coast Resort Merimbula is a great accommodation option for couples & families. The resort offers luxury townhouses and apartments with its own private parking, as well as 2 swimming pools and a tennis court. The resort is also in an enviable location right next to the main beach in Merimbula and a short stroll from the centre of town. You can read my full review HERE.

Check out prices and availability for Coast Resort Merimbula HERE

Midrange

Pelican Motor Inn offers quality motel style accommodation located right in the centre of town. The rooms are comfortable, clean and within walking distance to the shops and dining in the centre of Merimbula.

Budget

Chapman Holiday Units offers basic apartment style accommodation in the Fishpen area, a short walk from Merimbula main beach.

Want to read more about Merimbula?

Hope you enjoyed this post on 5 of the best things to do in and around Merimbula!

Travelling with kids? Check my other post on the Top 8 things to do in Merimbula with Kids

View Post