Located on the beautiful NSW South Coast, just three hours drive from Canberra, Merimbula has everything you need for a weekend getaway.
Sunshine, fabulous food and cool water – you’ll find it all in this glorious region. When you fancy a bite to eat, take your pick of kid-friendly cafes and restaurants on Merimbula’s main street.
Read on to discover this laid-back coastal destination’s top attractions.
14 things to do in Merimbula with kids
1. Hire a boat to explore Merimbula Lake
Hire a boat and lifejackets from Sunny’s Kiosk & Boat Hire and head out on the water to explore the coves and beaches. If you have a current NSW fishing licence, you can drop a line in and catch dinner. Boat hire is available from $60 per hour, between 7:30 am and 2 pm.
2. EAT Festival
EAT Festival is the an annual foodie providore event held at Fishpen, overlooking the picturesque Merimbula Lake, every March. The fertile soil and clear waters of the Sapphire Coast have long been known to provide world class fresh produce, such as oysters, mussels and our world famous Bega Cheese.
In the skilled hands of local chefs, the region’s harvest will become an experience to be savoured as guests tuck into local fare from chefs and food entrepreneurs. Think kingfish sashimi, gourmet pastries, giant paellas, mouth watering oysters – and plenty of surprises. Bring a picnic blanket and the family and come and enjoy this locavore’s paradise.
3. Go fishing
Been fishing with the kids before? If not, then you’re in luck, with lots of places to toss in a line. Merimbula is a fishing paradise where it’s never too far to a jetty to try your luck for bream and flathead. Just off the beaches you’ll get the big sand flathead or venture out with the adults to the reefs where you may chance upon the bigger snapper.
4. Merimbula Aquarium & Wharf Restaurant
Explore the underwater world at Merimbula Wharf and Aquarium. The 70,000-litre Oceanarium is full of tropical and marine life. We love the sharks, octopus and shrimps. The aquarium is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm, with fish feeding at 11:30 am. Bookings are recommended if you want to dine at the Wharf restaurant – kids’ meals are especially good value here.
5. Magic Mountain Merimbula
Head to Magic Mountain Merimbula for some serious family fun! Toddlers and preschoolers will love the magic slide, the jumping castles and the pirate’s playground, while bigger kids over eight years old (and taller than 120cm) can tackle the three treetop climb courses. Thrills are also in store with the classic Magic Mountain rollercoaster, and the waterslides are a huge drawcard on hot days.
6. Merimbula Boardwalk
The scenic Merimbula Boardwalk provides an easy walk for all ages. It weaves in and out of the mangroves and oyster farms for 3.4km, taking around 90 minutes to traverse the full circuit. It’s pram and wheelchair-accessible, though bikes are not permitted, and leashed dogs are welcome.
Kids will love spotting fish in the lake and keeping an eye out for the resident seal! You can access the boardwalk near the Market Street bridge or from the back of the lake at Lakewood Drive.
7. Whale watching cruise
Book a cruise with Sapphire Coastal Adventures. The South Coast is known for whale sightings. Most cruise companies offer guaranteed whale sightings between September and early November. Humpback whales are common. You may also see blue whales, southern right orcas and minkes. Apart from the whales, the kids will also love seeing the bottlenosed and common dolphins, seals, turtles and bird life.
8. Potoroo Palace Animal Sanctuary
Meet potoroos, bettongs, wombats, koalas, possums, dingoes, kangaroos and wallabies, lizards, pythons, turtles, frogs, emu, parrots and cockatoos – and that’s just scratching the surface of the wonderful experiences for families at the popular Potoroo Palace, a not-for-profit native animal educational sanctuary.
9. Merimbula Bar Beach
Explore the underwater world with a snorkel at Merimbula Bar Beach or just paddle in the crystal-clear waters of this shallow cove.
10. Oaklands Barn
Spend a day at a gorgeous and unique Oaklands Barn, an old-style homestead in Pambula where you can go on Pony and Trail Rides and get up close and friendly with barn animals including pigs, goats, cows, sheep, alpacas, chickens, cats and dogs and even camels. Entry is a $2 gold coin donation per person, which goes toward the cost of feeding and looking after the Oaklands Barn animals!
11. Eden Killer Whale Museum
Just a 20-minute drive from Merimbula, you can come face-to-face with the skeleton of ‘Tom the Killer Whale’, a legendary Orca who once led a pack of killer whales. Exhibitions at the Eden Killer Whale Museum cover the history of Tom and his cohorts, and the relationship between man and giant mammal at Twofold Bay during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
12. Candelo Village Festival
The Candelo Village Festival is a vibrant festival set in picturesque Candelo, a little town in the rolling Bega Valley with a big musical heart. Expect a colourful community event like no other celebrating music, arts and local culture.
13. Bega Cheese Heritage Centre
Don’t miss the iconic Bega Cheese Heritage Centre (yes, that Bega!) about 25 minutes north of Merimbula. Designed after the original 1899 ‘creamery’, the museum building also features a café and the upstairs Spotted Cow gallery.
14. Mountain biking trails
Go mountain biking on the Sapphire Coast’s best trails. Tathra has 55km of single track, cross-country style riding on both sides of the highway, including a small kilometre-long loop ideal for little kids. Bermagui also has a great mountain bike trail network affectionately known as “dirt surfers”. This exciting 6.7km track through the state forest features bridges, switchbacks and technical sections. It has a 900-metre track for kids too.
Kid-friendly restaurants in Merimbula
Sunny’s Kiosk
After a morning on the lake, head next door to Sunny’s Kiosk for lunch. This kiosk gets rave reviews for its fantastic coffee and waterfront views. It’s open from 7:30 am til 2 pm, Thursday to Monday, plus evening hours during the warmer months. Daytime dishes include delicious bacon and egg rolls, avo toast and muesli.
Longstocking Brewery and Oyster Bar
The Sapphire Coast is known for its fabulous oysters, but family-friendly Longstocking Brewery and Oyster Bar at Pambula also serves up woodfired pizzas and soft pretzels to satisfy junior diners. You’ll find it in the Oakland Barn complex.
Dulcie’s Cottage
Dulcie’s Cottage on Merimbula’s main street has American-style burgers, fresh local oysters and (for the adults) cool beer on tap. Pick a seat out the front under the massive jacaranda tree or out the back on the deck overlooking Merimbula Lake.
Fishpen Takeaway
Fishpen Takeaway does the best fish and chips according to TripAdvisor readers. They also have mouth-watering burgers, potato scallops, onion rings and kids chicken nuggets. Grab a selection and head straight across the road to the beach for an easy dinner.
Where to stay in Merimbula with kids
NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort
Positioned on the coastline with spectacular ocean views, the award-winning NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort has a large range of modern accommodation options.
Stay in your choice of self-contained cabin or villa, including the Beach House that sleeps up to eight people. RV and camping sites are also available, all located just a short walk from the beach. Family-friendly amenities include a heated resort pool, playground, jumping pillow, tennis court and year-round kids’ club.
Tanja Lagoon Camp
Hidden within the ancient forests of Mimosa Rocks National Park, 20 minutes from Merimbula, Tanja Lagoon Camp’s luxury safari tent accommodation provides an amazing nature stay for families with children aged three and over. The family tent, Buru, is located away from the other tents and the layout inside allows for up to three bush swags to be rolled out on the floor – or even on the deck under the stars! All tents offer views across a private coastal lagoon, with canoes available for guest use. There is also a private walking track to the nearby beach.
Opening image: The boardwalk offers stunning views over the lake. © Merimbula Tourism
