Enjoy a holiday to Merimbula and book your accommodation with HomeAway

This tourist village is known as the perfect holiday ‘resort’ on the Sapphire Coast. Located around the magical coastal waterways, the town boasts a population of 4,000 (with far more in summer). This little town holds stunning scenery with a mix of the ever-changing blues of the lake and sky with the greenery of the bush and golden sand!

What to do when holidaying in Merimbula:

Enjoy some water sports on the lakes of Merimbula or take a dip in the clear waters of the beaches. This destination is a real treat if you want to get lathered in sunshine and take in some tropical scenery. Of course instead of taking in a good book on the beach you can grab your fishing rod and try your luck with boat hire and fishing trips well catered for. Not only are there beach and water activities in this destination, but a lush National Park for nature walks.

For the kids, there’s a theme park called Magic Mountain which is sure to keep them busy all day. For the adults you can indulge in some fine dining or listen to some music in one of the licensed bars. There’s also a winery, aquarium, river and sea cruises and a family farm if you’re wanting some leisure time.

Merimbula’s Climate:

This small tourist town ideally hosts a temperate climate which allows visitors all year round to enjoy all it has to offer.

Choose holiday accommodation at Merimbula, New South Wales

Sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and endless sunny days make the sparkling Sapphire Coast in New South Wales one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia. The town of Merimbula is the main holiday resort on the Sapphire Coast and boasts an enviable selection of holiday rentals, including villas, houses and apartments, as well as pet-friendly and family-friendly options, for holidaymakers.

Situated exactly halfway between Sydney and Melbourne on the scenic coastal route, Merimbula is around a seven-hour drive from each city, and only three hours by road from Canberra, the nation’s capital.

There’s water, water everywhere

Merimbula enjoys a marvelous position surrounded by the coastal waterways known as Top and Back Lakes. These tidal lakes are part of the town’s major attraction as a tourist destination, along with the five beaches that are a draw for surfing, kitesurfing, boating, scuba diving and snorkeling.

Merimbula’s shoreline runs for five kilometres and even those who are not athletically inclined will find the beaches an amazing place for an exploring walk or stroll – Australia’s unique flora and fauna is all around in the shape of the likes of flowering heaths, banksias trees and tea trees, forming part of the coastal bush land that stretches the length of the coastline.

Its stunning setting on the coast but within reach of the inland bush, heathland and forest is part of what makes Merimbula such a beautiful place to visit and holidaymakers will find themselves settling happily into Australia’s fabled chilled out, outdoors lifestyle when they pick holiday accommodation in Merimbula.

The town has a picturesque esplanade filled with cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs, and shoppers will enjoy strolling through its alleys to explore the arts, crafts and gift stores. And every June, the town hosts its annual jazz festival with musicians travelling to the town from all over Australia and further afield.

The great outdoors

Nature lovers are in for a genuine treat in Merimbula and its surrounds. The coastal waters are home to dolphins, seals and penguins, while every September to November, whales bask in the warm southern waters during their migratory season. Charter boats will give holidaymakers the chance to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.

A particular joy of the southern hemisphere is to watch the sun rise and set, and the glorious setting of Merimbula Lake’s boardwalk is perfect for that most romantic of activities. Pack a breakfast picnic or late-night supper in your self-contained accommodation before heading off.

And a veritable feast for the senses also awaits away from the beach as national parks and forests surround the town – Bournda National Park has amazing coastal lagoons and walking trails woven around the park. Here bushwalking is an extremely popular activity and a super way to get close to the land, or you can climb aboard a 4x4 to go off road on a tour of Yurammie Forest Park.

The perfect climate

The Sapphire Coast enjoys warm springs and hot summers. Like the rest of New South Wales, it has a temperate climate with little rainfall – average summer daily temperatures are 80°C while winter days average 63°C. Merimbula’s position on the coast means its beaches can get very hot during Australia’s summer months of December to February, and it’s important that sunworshippers do cover themselves with sunscreen before leaving their holiday accommodation and top it up regularly – as the Australians say, slip, slop, slap!

Getting there

Holidaymakers travelling to Australia’s eastern seaboard will fly into Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport. Merimbula is around 500km south of the city and the quickest way to get there is to take a connecting internal flight direct to Merimbula airport. The scenic coastal route that winds its way down the coast from Sydney to Australia offers the adventure of the open road, while the more budget conscious can take advantage of the coach services that motor regularly between the two big cities. And once you’ve unpacked in your holiday accommodation, you’re ready to explore the Sapphire Coast.