SAPPHIRE COAST - SPARKLING JEWEL OF THE NSW
SOUTH COAST
(August 23, 2002)
Taking it easy in the Sapphire Coast is not wishful thinking.
It's the only way there is. The sparkling jewel on the New South
Wales South Coast is rich in natural beauty and a perfect getaway
for a short break, only 75 minutes by plane from Melbourne to
Merimbula.
The magic of the Sapphire Coast starts from Bermagui in the north
and stretches to the far southern New South Wales border, glistening
with towns like Eden, Merimbula, Bega, Pambula, Tathra and Tanja.
Like its precious namesake, the Sapphire Coast is a jewel of
natural beauty. With untouched golden beaches and sapphire blue
waters, craggy inlets and hidden caves, vivid corals, sunken tugs
and shipwrecks, tranquil rainforests, bushwalk trails and National
Parks, the Sapphire Coast is a naturalist's heaven and photographer's
paradise.
Eden, situated on Twofold Bay with Mount Imlay towering in the
background, is rich in fishing and whaling history and a top spot
to runaway to sea on a charter boat in search of whales, dolphins,
fur seals, fairy penguins and pelagic birds. The area is also
renowned for deep sea, game and reef fishing. Bermagui is famous
for marlin, while historic Tathra Wharf is an idyllic spot to
cast a line out and laze the day away peeling prawns. It's easy
to get hooked on this fishing fairground.
Merimbula offers a touch of Mediterranean life and the lure of
swimming, surfing, wave sailing, canoeing and diving with beautiful
Short Point and Tura Beach nearby. Not far from Merimbula by 4WD
are the picture-postcard Pinnacles - unique geological formations
featuring red sandstone and white clay caps.
Beautiful rural Bega, set in lush rolling hinterland valleys
with morning hazes of darkly forested mountains, is prime dairy
country and long famous for Bega cheese. Nearby, Wadbilliga National
Park offers canoe hire to meander down a nature course to remote
pockets of bush, teaming with wildlife, while Mumbulla Falls features
tranquil rock pools and natural waterslides. Bemboka, Ben Boyd,
Bournda and Mimosa Rocks National Parks provide great walking
and wilderness tracks and idyllic settings to unwind from it all.
The Sapphire Coast offers endless opportunities to cut the working
week short and take a break to discover its many coastal and hinterland
treasures.
For Short Breaks information to the Sapphire Coast contact 13
20 77 or www.visitnsw.com.au.
