Batemans Bay, NSW

By Australian Geographic Adventure Team April 16, 2014
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Use this popular estuary town as a base and discover the best of the bush and the beach on the NSW South Coast.

Known for its natural beauty, rich history and lively community, Batemans Bay is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the South Coast of NSW. Captain Cook named the town in 1770 after Nathaniel Bateman and it was developed in the 1860s when sawmilling and, later, oyster farming industries were established.

Isolation isn’t too hard to find in the nearby Murramarang National Park, or you can visit one of the many historical villages in the region and browse craft stores and galleries.

The outdoor options are endless, with bushwalking, kayaking, surfing, fishing, diving and whale watching all available in the bay and its surrounds. Mogo, a gold rush town that was established in the 1850s, is a 10-minute drive down the road and home to the impressive Mogo Zoo.

Activities

Surfing: Although you won’t find many waves inside the bay, a short drive to any of the beaches nearby proves that the South Coast truly is a surfer’s playground. To beat the crowds, pack a wetsuit and visit in winter.

Bushwalking: The bushwalks around Batemans Bay are generally easy tracks winding through scenic rainforests, past calm lakes and pristine beaches. For the more adventurous, there are tougher walks, such as the Durras Mountain track, which will get the blood pumping almost as much as the panoramic views.

Diving: Diverse dive sites in the area range from boat dives with grey nurse sharks and seal colonies to shore dives off Pebbly Beach and Bawley Point. The Batemans Marine Park is home to a variety of temperate-water marine species, many of which are threatened.

The essentials

Location: Batemans Bay is on the NSW South Coast, a four-hour drive south of Sydney, or a two-hour drive east of Canberra.
Accommodation: Camp at one of the many secluded camping grounds in the nearby Murramarang National Park, or choose from numerous caravan parks, hotels and cabins in Batemans Bay.

Food/drink: Batemans Bay has a range of restaurants, pubs and cafes, as well as a large supermarket. Alternatively, you could head to the beach and catch yourself some dinner.

Points of interest: At Depot Beach, 20 minutes north, huge spotted gums grow right down to the water’s edge.

More info: www.eurobodalla.com.au
www.environment.nsw.gov.au