Ben Boyd National Park, EdromCredit: Destination NSW
Sun rising over Boyd Tower on Red Point in the Beowa National Park, Edrom.
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The New South Wales far South Coast revitalises with blissful beaches and untouched forest reserves, transporting visitors with uplifting adventure activities, from hiking, biking and surfing to whale watching and swimming with seals. The best bit? This remarkable wilderness bounty is just three hours’ drive from Canberra, and six from Sydney.
Swim with seals at Montague Island
A mini wildlife reserve, Montague Island is home to hundreds of seabirds, and almost as many Australian and New Zealand fur seals. The best way to glimpse these playful creatures is with your head under water. A number of tour operators make the 20-minute voyage here from the town of Narooma, with some, including Montague Island Adventures, offering combined snorkelling and island tours. The Meal with a Seal cruise from Island Charters pairs seal snorkelling with a gourmet lunch; you can fish then scuba with seals through Narooma Charters; and Underwater Safaris specialises in marine-based tours, including snorkelling and scuba diving with seals.
Join a whale watching safari
More than 25,000 whales steam up and down the east coast of Australia between May and November every year. On their way back to Antarctica at the end of their migration (September through November), they linger in the food-rich waters off the Sapphire Coast to feed their young. There are plenty of places to glimpse these gentle giants from shore, but for a closer perspective jump on a boat with companies like Cat Balou Cruises (from Eden) and Sapphire Coastal Adventures (from Merimbula). In addition to southern rights and humpbacks breaching and blowing, you’ll also likely spot pods of dolphins following close by.
Humpback Whale, Merimbula, South Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Humpback Whale, Merimbula on the NSW South Coast
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Humpback Whale, Merimbula, South Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Humpback Whale, Merimbula on the NSW South Coast
Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a day section of the multi-day Light to Light Walk.
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Light to Light Walk, Beowa National Park Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a day section of the multi-day Light to Light Walk.
Learn to surf
In addition to snorkelling and swimming, surfing is a major allure of the Sapphire Coast. From Merimbula, Tathra and Pambula beaches, Coastlife Adventures offers lessons for beginners, surf camps for those who want to develop serious skills in a short period of time, and school camp programs for kids. Mobile surf school Amped also teaches surf skills to keen wave riders, utilising the best breaks from more than 20 beaches along the coast.
Hike through national parks
Lagoons, beaches, sea caves, headlands, offshore stacks and native forest all await in Mimosa Rocks National Park, spanning more than 20km of coastline between Bermagui and Tathra. Hiking trails here reveal a wonderland of flora and fauna, including a number of threatened species like the sooty owl, golden-tipped bat and hooded plover. The region is also home to the legendary Light to Light walk in Beowa National Park south of Eden. This multi-day trek hugs the coastline between Boyds Tower and Green Cape Lightstation, with tracks weaving through heathland forest, banksia woodlands and tea tree coves. Look out for whales, seals and seabirds. Note: parts of this walk are affected by closures. Please refer to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service alerts for the latest information.
Explore on two wheels
Work up a sweat on the excellent mountain biking tracks that characterise the Tathra countryside, including more than 20km of trails for all experience levels on the Fire Shed Loop, on the southern side of town. Beginners can enjoy a leisurely cycle through native forest, while adrenaline junkies can pick up speed on steep hills, across bridges and over jumps. Just behind town you’ll also find the Bundadung Trail network. Tathra Mountain Bike Club has a plethora of downloadable maps and information available, and if you leave your wheels at home you can hire them from Tathra Beach & Bike.
Pambula Beach, Pambula Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoying a surf off Pambula Beach on the Sapphire Coast.
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Pambula Beach, Pambula Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoying a surf off Pambula Beach on the Sapphire Coast.
Mimosa Rocks National Park, Tanja Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoying a morning stroll along the Aragunnu Walking Track in Mimosa Rocks National Park.
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Mimosa Rocks National Park, Tanja Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoying a morning stroll along the Aragunnu Walking Track in Mimosa Rocks National Park.
More Inspirational Stories
Avoca Beach, Central CoastCredit: Destination NSW
Woman heading out for a morning surf at Avoca Beach on the Central Coast.
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Just 90 minutes’ drive north of Sydney, the Central Coast is blessed with many natural wonders, from beautiful beaches to tranquil lakes and lagoons. Make the most the picturesque coast line, with a mix of activities on and under the water – that will leave you feeling reinvigorated.
Splash out with the family
In the warmer months, people of all ages descend on Central Coast Aqua Park in Gosford, the gateway to the Central Coast, to take on its inflatable water obstacles. The young, and young at heart, can slide, climb, swing and jump in the ultimate aquatic playground under the supervision of trained lifeguards. Sessions should be booked ahead, and the minimum age is five years.
For all kinds of paddling fun, visit Aquafun on Avoca Lake, which hires out a range of pedal-boats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, all perfect for exploring this lovely lagoon in the heart of beachside Avoca village. Groups can even tackle the new giant stand-up paddleboard. The lagoon is overflowing with fish and birdlife, as well as a colony of endangered frogs.
Seek out some adventure
In 2011, the decommissioned navy frigate HMAS Adelaide was scuttled not far off the beach at Terrigal, forming an artificial reef. A decade on, the wreck is home to an extensive amount of marine life. Pro Dive Central Coast conducts dives here — it’s just one of 429 dive sites the company can take you to.
At Mt Penang Gardens, just west of Gosford, you can reach for the stars, courtesy of Jetpack Adventures. You can fly a jetpack or a flyboard — or both — and take off from Jetpack Lake. Even kids over 10 years and over 35 kilograms can have a go. Afterwards, browse around the beautiful gardens and refuel at the Waterfall Cafe.
Central Coast Reef & Game Fishing Charters makes sure fish is on the menu by offering reef and game-fishing trips. Operating from Terrigal, a modern 11m vessel whisks hopeful anglers to various popular areas for reef fish, or more serious game fishers out to the deep to challenge sport fish such as marlin, albacore and yellowfin tuna.
Get in the swim
Any Central Coast holiday should include a beach visit — and there are more than 40 to choose from, with 15 of them patrolled, so there’s a perfect spot to suit everyone. Families will seek out Copacabana, Avoca, Ettalong or Toowoon Bay, while surfers will wax lyrical about Tallow, Terrigal, Soldiers and Pelican beaches. Sign up for surf coaching with Central Coast Surf Academy, which takes kids and women’s groups as well as giving tips to advanced surfers.
If ocean pools are more your style, head for The Entrance at the northern end of the Central Coast. The Grant McBride Baths (formerly known as Entrance Ocean Baths) are heritage-listed, with the 50m lap pool, 22m pool and children’s wading pool all built between 1938 and 1965. You’ll find smaller pools at Pearl Beach and Macmasters Beach.
Central Coast Surf Academy, Avoca Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Student enjoying a learn to surf experience with Central Coast Surf Academy, Avoca Beach.
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Central Coast Surf Academy, Avoca Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Student enjoying a learn to surf experience with Central Coast Surf Academy, Avoca Beach.
Toowoon Bay, Central Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial of paddleboarders at Toowoon Bay, Central Coast.
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Toowoon Bay, Central Coast Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial of paddleboarders at Toowoon Bay, Central Coast.
Wine and dine on the water
On your way to the Central Coast, book in for an oyster experience with Sydney Oyster Farm Tours in the small fishing village of Brooklyn, around a 50-minute drive from Sydney. All the tours include a boat ride out to the oyster leases in Broken Bay. Visitors can also don waders to walk in the leases, learn to shuck the oysters and taste them in the very waters in which they grew.
Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures conducts guided kayaking tours complemented by spectacular scenery. Opt for the 2.5-hour Eco-Kayak tour on pretty Popran Creek or the five-hour Wine and Seafood Kayak tour on Brisbane Water and Woy Woy Bay. The latter adventure covers 10km and leads you through oyster farms and past a pelican breeding ground before you stop for a delicious seafood lunch on a secluded beach. For those who prefer paddling at their own pace, you can hire kayaks and stand-up paddleboards and go exploring.
Sitting on the deck of a beautiful yacht at sunset, wine in hand, is hard to top. That’s just one of the options available via Hardy’s Bay Yacht Charters at Killcare bordering Bouddi National Park at the southern end of the Central Coast. Charter the luxury 11m Bavaria cruising yacht, or the bigger 14m catamaran, for a range of packages that cater for everyone from beginners to experienced sailors. Choose a sunset cruise, a Sail, Bush Walk and Lunch day trip or a romantic overnight package for one or two nights. With a professional skipper on board, your job is simply to relax and enjoy the ride. Optional water transfers are available to Killcare from Ettalong, Woy Woy, Saratoga and Gosford.
Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Mooney Mooney Credit: Destination NSW
Tour group heading out to the pearl long lines at Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Mooney Mooney.
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Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Mooney Mooney Credit: Destination NSW
Tour group heading out to the pearl long lines at Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Mooney Mooney.
Killcare Beach, Killcare Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rises over the horizon at Killcare Beach, Killcare.
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Killcare Beach, Killcare Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rises over the horizon at Killcare Beach, Killcare.