THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO BATEMANS BAY FROM A LOCAL

Now, I may be a bit biased, but I absolutely love Australia’s South Coast. Particularly Batemans Bay in the Eurobodalla Shire, which has been my home for the past few years. I first visited this holiday town back in 2009 to meet my husband’s parents, and I completely fell in love with its natural beauty breath-taking scenery, unspoiled beaches, and abundance of Kangaroo’s! This English girl was really experiencing the Aussie dream! So, let me share with you the ultimate travel guide to Batemans Bay.

Why Should I Visit?

From exploring our unspoiled beaches to wandering along ancient aboriginal tracks while taking in the incredible rainforest, Batemans Bay and the surrounding area truly has something for everyone. Excellent local produce and abundant seafood make for an incredible foodie scene, and if it’s retail therapy you’re after, then check out the lovely boutique shops dotted around the high street, selling our locally-made unique pieces.

There’s also plenty of great snorkeling spots where you can experience our beautiful marine life. I’ve caught glimpses of stingrays, tropical fish, and even seals. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some whales during migration season or a dolphin or two popping up to the surface to say hello.

I’m going to share with you all that this amazing town has to offer, and reveal all the best places to add to your holiday itinerary, so you can see why I think this fabulous part of Australia should be on everyone’s bucket list! So, if you’re ready to press pause on that busy life of yours and come and experience a slice of Australian paradise, then welcome to the south coast of New South Wales.

WARNING!! This post may contain heaps of biased content – LOL!

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When is the Best Time to Visit?

That depends on the experience you are looking for. You can visit the Bay all year round and still have a magical time. In summer, you can enjoy going for a dip in the ocean and snorkeling around the coves and rocks. Should you decide to visit in winter, with the cooler temperatures, you’ll have the opportunity to get to explore the many walking tracks and lookouts without the sun beating down on you. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some whales.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO:

The Harbour

On sunny days, there’s nothing my daughter and I love to do more than have a walk along the harbour. It really is an idyllic scene with the sun reflecting off the bright blue water while the boats bob up and down.

If you begin your walk at the top of Clyde Street, near the new bridge, you’ll find the ANZAC War Memorial and some covered tables and chairs to enjoy your lunch on. Just be sure to dodge the seagulls that will be eyeing up your food. Be sure to pose in our purple photo frame for Instagram before heading along the waterfront towards Innes Boatshed to check out the amazing murals, which add a modern touch to the area and a wonderful pop of colour. For me, the standout pieces are the ones on the side of the Innes Boatshed café, with one piece showing a pirate, while the other pays homage to the old bridge that had been there for more than 50 years which was replaced in 2021.

Continue past the Boatshed and wander along Murra Murra Mia Walkway. Be sure to take some time and watch the waves flapping over the rocks. The sun’s rays reflect off the surface of the water and make it look like there’s diamonds just below. We really are spoilt. There’s several mini jetties dotted along here, too, as well as numerous plaques scattered around the harbour, telling the history of the Clyde River. If it’s a quiet day, you might get lucky and snag a table on one of the jetties, which is a lovely spot for a picnic or to watch the boats sailing past. On a nice day, my daughter Aria and I love sitting here and watching the world go by. 

Follow the pier towards Beach Road, past the first jetty, and you’ll come across an alley, which is home to another great mural. A colourful ocean scene that morphs into a sea snake and some native birds. It’s really cool. I wish all alleyways looked like this. There’s also some other murals in the Woolworths Carpark, on the Clyde Street side, by the North Street entrance to Bridge Plaza.

Murra Murra Mia Walkway to Beach Road Batemans Bay, NSW 2536

Batemans Bay Heritage Museum

If you’re interested in learning about our history in Batemans Bay, there’s no better place to start than our crackling little Heritage Museum. You could spend hours here, perusing the many rooms and displays on offer, such as the old Courtroom, with the original bench and docks still in place. You can also wander by the displays of old-style kitchens and living rooms on display which would have been used when the town was first built. 

Don’t miss the old replica cinema. Yes, there’s an actual cinema! Walk in and take a seat to see what the town’s old picture house looked like back in the day. You can also check out the recreated famous Annetts on Orient Street in the town center, which is no longer there. Apparently, Annetts sold everything from food to stationery, tobacco products and gasoline, and even broken biscuits!

Before you head outside to the excellent outdoor area where you can pose in front of the cool red British telephone box, and explore the old farming equipment, and mini firehouse, first stop at the prison cell. Here you can look at the interior which just contains an old mattress, a pot, and nothing else. Very grim! There is also a hilarious sign that says, ‘Take a Cell-fie.’ Get it? So, of course, I happily obliged. [Full Post Click Here]

3 Museum Pl, Batemans Bay NSW 2536

The Water Gardens

Located behind the Heritage Museum, these usually quiet gardens in the center of town, are a lovely spot, filled with local birdlife. If you can look past the fact that it needs a little maintenance, and there’s often fallen trees and a bit of rubbish around, as well as a few shopping trollies, pushed into the lake!

If you stand at the entrance to the gardens, you’ll get a nice view overlooking the wetlands. Take the lovely boardwalk which stretches over the lake, which is surrounded by long grass on each side, making you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

There’s a small pavilion in the middle of the boardwalk where I like to sit and watch the birds or wander through the small forest on the other side of the lake, which is pleasant to walk through.

Museum Pl, Batemans Bay NSW 2536

Birdland Animal Park

Spread across eight acres of bushland, you’ll find the very enjoyable Birdland. You’ll almost certainly hear the squawking of some of the many free-roaming peacocks that call this place home upon entry. There’s an array of Australian birds housed here, including Gullahs, Lorikeets, Cockatoo’s, and Kookaburras, who enjoy laughing at you as you walk past them.

A great way to see the park is from the great little steam train that leaves from the makeshift station at the front of the park every hour. There’s also some great daily keeper talks at 11 AM and 2 PM. Don’t miss the great snake and wombat talks twice daily. They are really good fun but also informative.

It’s not just birds that you’ll find here, but other natives such as Kangaroos and Wallabies. Be sure to check out the Llama enclosure, as there’s actually an Emu who lives in here and now thinks he’s a Llama, and he’s very protective of his adopted brothers and sisters.  [Full Post Click Here]

55 Beach Rd, Batemans Bay NSW 2536

Sculpture Walk and Mural Walk

My daughter and I love doing this walk. It takes you all the way along the beautiful waterfront with seven sculptures in total, each serving as its own point of interest along the way, with its own story and personality behind it. My favourite piece is probably the most iconic sculpture of the trail, ‘Bouyansea’ by Jesse Graham, AKA The Octopus. It’s a pretty awesome piece., which often has tourists standing around him trying to capture some fun photos with our town’s little icon. The final sculpture of the walk is also our personal favourite, ‘Pelicant’ by Jesse Graham on the marina, which shows a Pelican and crab attached to its beak. Head here at sunset, for the best views.  [Full Post Click Here]

Orient Street, Batemans Bay, NSW, 2536

Eurobodalla Regional Botanical Gardens

This little gem of a place is only a 10-minute drive from the center of Batemans Bay and is completely free to enter. There’s a wonderful gift shop at the start which also houses a great café next door selling great food, coffee, and cakes. I love their cheeseboard, which comes with lots of antipasti stuff, bread, a range of cheese, and several dips. Heaven!

Once you’ve filled up at the café, it’s time to head to the trails. I recommend heading towards the Amphitheatre on the way to Deep Creek Track. This leads to a luscious rainforest, and in certain parts, the scrub is so incredibly thick you could easily imagine you’re lost somewhere in far north Queensland. If you have kids with you, be sure to explore the excellent play area located to the right of the café and shop. There’s also a fantastic Children’s Walk which is just a short trail to explore, which involves crossing lakes and bridges, so it’s perfect for the kids.    

Deep Creek Dam Rd, Batemans Bay NSW 2536

Mogo Village

There’s nothing more I love doing on a sunny day than heading into Mogo, eating at one of the delicious cafes in the area, then afterward browsing the cute little shops in this Victorian-era town. The quirky main street is packed with independently owned shops run by lovely staff who are friendly and always up for a chat.

Some of my favourites include the homewares shop, In & Out at Mogo, where I could spend hours in! Of course, there’s the sensational Lolly Shop, which is a bit of an icon in these parts. You won’t miss it, as it has two cute little minions out front. Then you can head inside to buy every candy, chocolate, and lolly you can think of. Heaven! Oh, and there are even a couple of galleries here too worth a look, selling amazing artwork from our talented community.

Princes Hwy, Mogo near Batemans Bay, 2536

Mogo Wildlife Park (Formally Mogo Zoo)

Just a few minutes down the road, you’ll find the amazing Mogo Wildlife Park (originally Mogo Zoo). This is one of my favourite wildlife parks, due to the spacious exhibits and exotic animals, such as Lions, Gorillas, Rhinos, Zebras and Giraffes. If you’re brave enough, you can purchase several animal experiences, from feeding a Lion to patting a rhino.

The fun starts as soon as you enter the cafe and gift shop area. I love grabbing a coffee on the way in while sitting and watching the Meerkats play around in their glass-fronted enclosure. It’s a prime spot, as directly opposite you’ll have the Gibbons’ who also reside here too, and if you’re lucky enough, they might come and perch on a branch near the glass and interact with you.

Some of the highlights for me are the Primate Islands on the other side of the Park, where you can watch the monkeys and lemurs really enjoying life and swinging amongst the trees. However, my favourite area has to be the Monkey exhibits, where you’ll see different species, such as the Cotton-top and Emperor Tamarin. They’re very friendly the keepers often place their food in front of the glass, so you get to see them enjoying their food as they interact with you. [Full Post Click Here]

222 Tomakin Rd, Mogo NSW 2536

Broulee Beach & Island

They say first impressions stick with you forever, and this place pulled me in right from the get-go. It was a spring afternoon when my family and I first visited. Straight away, we were surrounded by lush greenery with a beautiful view of the coast peeking through the trees, and although it was a cloudy day, it did nothing to lessen the area’s natural beauty.

Park at Shark Bay and take the sandy footpath path to the right of the car park which will bring you out at the center of the beach, which will give you a lovely view of the entire cove.

Just off to the left was the stunning Broulee Island, surrounded by numerous sparkling shades of the blue ocean, where we have often admired the incredible patterns that have formed in the enormous black rocks. It really was gorgeous! And if you think that sounds nice, wait until you catch a sunset from here. Don’t forget to hang a shell on the ‘Shell Tree’ – trust me, you’ll know it when you see it.

Coronation Drive, Broulee, NSW 2537

Geurilla Bay

Around a 20-minute drive south of Batemans Bay lies a beautiful spot called Guerilla Bay and Burrewarra Point. This area is excellent for snorkelling, exploring, and just hanging out. It’s often filled with families enjoying its calm aqua blue water and adventure seekers navigating the trails and rocks.

The name Guerilla Bay supposedly comes from a huge rock formation that dominates your view when standing on the beach, and some say it looks like a Gorilla lying down, hence the name, but I can’t see it. But what you will see are some beautiful rock formations in an array of colours, to the beaches left, and a huge rock face that almost looks like a wave forming a halfpipe in mid-motion. Surfs up, dudes! It’s really cool.

Guerilla Bay Road (off Burri Point Road), Guerilla Bay, NSW, 2536

Burrewarra Point Banksia Walk

Next up, just a couple of minutes drive away, head to one of my favourite walks, the Banksia Walk at Burrewarra Point. Not only is it a pretty easy jaunt, but it also has stunning views, beautiful wildflowers, and some lovely points of interest along the way. In the cooler months, it’s also an excellent place to spot humpback whales.

Some of the points of interest include the World War II Radar Station, and a brand new viewing platform, which really is the most amazing addition with spectacular views! 

There’s also a small lighthouse, which is around 20-30 minutes from the start of the path, and what a lovely spot it is! On one side, you have magnificent views over the valley and forest below, while on the other, you’ll find more spectacular coastal views that seem to last for miles and miles.
Burri Point Road, Guerilla Bay, 2536

Cullendulla Creek

It was a lovely Autumn Day when my family and I explored Cullendulla Creek for the first time, to check out the lovely boardwalk that stretched over the Clyde River. As we made our way along the beach, I started looking around at my surroundings, and it wasn’t long before I completely fell in love with the area. The calmness of the water and the gentle sound of the waves rolling in gave me a lovely tranquil feeling.

To find the Boardwalk, follow the beach around, past the Mangrove Walking Track, you’ll see another trail that leads you into the bushland. Follow the path for a few minutes, and it will lead you right to it. You’ll be rewarded with a great view of the creek. It was a bright sunny day, with the water as clear as glass, making it easy to spot the fish swimming around. Combining this view with the mangrove trees surrounding the Boardwalk, really made me feel like I was in the middle of a rainforest. It was a beautiful sight to see.

Myamba Parade, Surfside, NSW, 2536

Tomakin Beach

Situated around a 20-minute drive south of Batemans Bay lies the beautiful Tomakin. Think clear blue ocean and gorgeous beaches, all surrounded by lush greenery. It’s a lovely place to spend an afternoon. The waves here were pretty rough, as we explored some beautiful rock formations in a mixture of colours in shades of golden yellows, red, purple, and brown. It looked like a rainbow. When combined with the fantastic views across the beach, I felt so happy and knew the walk had definitely been worth it.

For epic views, head up the wooden stairs next to the caves and turn right at the top and head to Melville Point, where you’ll get panoramic views of the Tomakin Coastline. I was amazed by the sheer number of different blues I could see in the ocean, starting with a turquoise close to the beach, then getting darker the further your eyes travel out to sea. It really is stunning!

Sunpatch Pde, Tomakin, NSW, 2537

Mossy Point Boat Ramp

If you’re heading to the Bay, be sure to stick one of my favourite places on your bucket list, as it really is a beautiful spot, with amazing views, a lovely mini coffee hut… and stingrays. What more could you ask for?

Since moving to Batemans Bay, we regularly visit the Mossy Point Boat Ramp out near Tomakin. The first time I spotted them I was so excited to see these magnificent dark circular shapes appear in the water underneath us. The ones that live here are some of the biggest I’ve ever seen! We often sit on the little jetty and watch in awe as they drifted past us, observing their graceful movements.

165 Annetts Parade, Mossy Point NSW 2537

Thanks for reading my post on the Ultimate Travel Guide Batemans Bay. I hope I’ve managed to show you the best things to do in my lovely town, as being on the south coast, we are often overlooked by some of the bigger cities. So, I wanted to shine a spotlight on our little gem, and give you a comprehensive guide for things to do on your next trip here.

Ready to start organising your trip to Batemans Bay and the surrounding areas? Click here to head to Viator now to book your tours in this beautiful part of Australia.

Have you visited Batemans Bay and the South Coast before? Has my travel guide inspired you to come and visit? Wanna ask me a question? Let me know in the comments section below.

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