Road trip NSW's Sapphire Coast
Whether you’re piling into the family wagon or setting off for that first romantic break, the Sapphire Coast in New South Wales is an opportunity to explore wild coastlines, secluded beaches, and pristine national parks.
Need Accommodation on the Sapphire Coast?
Discovery Parks has holiday parks to suit the entire family on the NSW Sapphire Coast.
Discovery Parks - Eden and Discovery Parks - Pambula Beach are both ideally located close to the surf, national parks and local attractions synonymous with the south coast, including a thriving cafe and restuarant scene.
Not too far away, Discovery Parks - Burrill Lake, Ulladulla is another coastal escape set amongst manicured gardens on the banks of beautiful Burrill Lake.
A Road Trip along the Sapphire Coast is an escape for growing families. Credit: John Montesi
EXPLORE THE SAPPHIRE COAST
Halfway between Australia’s two largest capitals of Sydney and Melbourne, the Sapphire officially stretches from the coastal town of Eden in southern New South Wales to Bermagui 100 clicks north.
However, with such beauty on offer and so many coastal nooks and country towns to discover, why wouldn’t you keep going towards Wollongong?
Discovery Parks - Pambula Beach is metres from the water. Credit: John Montesi
Backed by towering forests and surrounded by vast country paddocks, quaint country farming towns are dotted along the early part of the Sapphire journey from north to south.
Destinations like Batemans Bay, Bawley Point and the entire Shoalhaven region are unmissable stops on the Grand Pacific touring route, including Ulladulla.
If you love fresh seafood and getting out on the water, Discovery Parks - Burrill Lake, Ulladulla is an ideal place to stay.
Jewel in the Crown
Considered a jewel in the crown of the NSW South Coast, the Sapphire is appropriately named not only because sapphires are abundant in the area, but because it sparkles with raw beauty!
Surf's Up all over on the Sapphire Coast. Credit: Road to Rainbows
Well known as one of Australia’s best whale-watching destinations, there’s a huge variety of activities to get involved with.
Whether it be swimming, fishing, snorkelling, surfing or kayaking, up and down the New South Wales South Coast there are opportunities to indulge in the very best of Australian beach culture.
If you’re travelling with kids, a quick game of ‘I spy’ will likely feature surfboards strapped to car roofs and kayaks poking out the back of car windows!
Clifftop Exploration
Beaches not to be missed in this region include Tathra and Merimbula Main Beach, which are popular family spots.
For those looking for something a little more secluded, Mimosa Rocks, Bournda and Ben Boyd National Park have incredible cliff-top views.
The indoor pool at Pambula Beach is popular with the smallest road-trippers!
Pambula is also home to some of the most picturesque bays in the region, and Discovery campers here love being greeted by the dozens of kangaroos who have taken up permanent residence!
READ ALSO: Drive Away to a Family holiday in NSW
Merimbula and Pambula Lakes
While in Pambula, don’t miss the chance to visit the stunning Merimbula and Pambula Lakes, two of the Sapphire’s most incredible natural wonders.
A kayak advetnure is one experience that will live long in the memory, or why not consider a boat tour out to a real oyster farm, where you can learn about ‘oyster husbandry’ and ‘shuck’ your very first pearl.
If you do like chasing waterfalls, Nethercote Falls is well worth the 20-minute drive inland.
After a steep but manageable hike down to the falls, tranquility and natural beauty await. If you get lucky, you might even have it to yourself!
Nethercote Falls is an oasis of calm. Credit: Roads to Rainbows
Whale Watching
Each spring, the waters off Bermagui, Tathra and Merimbula act as a stopover point for thousands of humpback whales who migrate north from Antarctica to breed and tend to their young.
This makes the Sapphire Coast one of the few places in the world where you can watch whales feed, rest and nurse their young as they complete their journey south.
At Eden, the publicly-owned Eden Killer Whale Museum has now been open for over 85 years.
G'day! Credit: Destination NSW
Exhibitions about historic whaling operations that took place in Twofold Bay in the late 1800s include a full skeleton of ‘Tom’ the Killer Whale, a legendary Orca who famously led a pack of killer whales.
Need more reasons to visit the Sapphire Coast?
Check out Sapphire Coast NSW’s Instagram page for more visual inspiration!
