Montague Island
Montague Island is an amazing place, just offshore from Narooma. There are so many things to experience and the only way to explore it is with a professional Guide on a morning or evening Montague Island Tour.
During the 30 minute voyage to the Island you may encounter migrating whales and dolphins (Sep-Nov), a variety of sea birds and other creatures of the sea. Once on land you will explore the Island with your guide who has a wealth of knowledge about the history of the Lightstation, Aboriginal heritage and the remarkable animals and plants of Montague.
Visit the “Museum in the Making” and experience life as a lightkeeper 100 years ago. Hear fascinating stories or just relax and enjoy the views. Morning tours circumnavigate the Island and visit the seals before landing at the jetty. Step back in time in the Lightstation precincts, visit the gravesites, soaking up the history and natural beauty before boarding the boat for the trip home.
Evening tours visit the seals before landing at the jetty. Stroll up to the lightstation precincts, taking in the views and enjoying the atmosphere. Conclude the tour by watching the sunset and waiting for any Little Penguins coming ashore. Penguin numbers vary greatly, but the views are magnificent all year round.
These are truly WILDlife tours – the Island isn’t a zoo and the animals don’t perform on cue! We can’t tell you precisely what you will see during a tour or in what numbers. What can be said is that the ever-changing landscape, diversity of wildlife and rich heritage all combine to make each tour a unique experience.
Please check when booking for up-to-date information. All tours start and finish at Narooma Town Wharf, and include a 30 minute ocean voyage in a high speed charter boat. The tour deals with unpredictable elements – wildlife, weather and sea. Our highest priority is safety and comfort, so some tours may be cancelled at short notice or shortened after departure. The tour is also an adventure across the open sea, and access to the Island may be a challenge for some.
Please ask when booking if anyone in your group has restricted mobility. For detailed information and for bookings contact Narooma Visitor Information Centre 02 44762881, open 7 days.
The Triangle Tourist Drive
If you are holidaying in the area or, if you are looking for a pleasant day out, you should experience the Tilba, Cobargo, Bermagui triangle.
In addition to seeing some of the most beautiful scenery you will also enjoy visiting some of the most unique villages and townships on the Sapphire & Eurobodalla Coast.
Central Tilba-the National Trust village where the historic character of the buildings has been maintained. Many of the buildings contain interesting art and craft shops with a wide range of goods that are sure to please.
Tilba Tilba with its marvellous Foxglove Spire Gardens and complex where you can spend many a happy hour browsing through the wide array of plants, oldwares, crafts and collectables - a magical place to visit.
Cobargo - the working village where you can see the wide range of crafts being assembled. Enjoy fine food and purchase some freshly picked vegetables. Experience that feeling of being involved.
Bermagui one of the most pleasant seaside towns you’ll find on the coast. Famous for its fishing. Pay a visit to the harbour, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the main street, relax and drink in the fresh seaside air.
Travelling from the north, commence your tour at Tilba. From the south commence at Cobargo. The Triangle Tourist Drive offers you one of these “not to be missed experiences”.
Must-See Visits
EDEN
Eden Killer Whale Museum
(02) 6496 2094 Right in the heart of Eden, the Killer Whale Museum features different travelling exhibitions as well as numerous permanent exhibitions including "Whaling & Twofold Bay", "Replica Lighthouse", "Davidson Gallery Whaling Exhibition" and Old Tom's Skeleton".
PAMBULA
Pamboola
Panboola means ‘two waters’ or ‘meeting of the waters’, in recognition of the Aboriginal presence on this land for many thousands of years prior to the arrival of white settlers in 1835. The Panboola wetlands offers many recreational options, including bird-watching, picnicking, cycling, walking or just sitting and enjoying the view. Picnic tables and seats have been installed in Tips Billabong and the Waterbird Sanctuary making an outdoor lunch easier, and there’s plenty of space for a picnic blanket.
Starting out at the Bullara St entrance is Smiths Lookout, providing a wonderful view over Tips Billabong to the Old Temporary Bar, relocated to Tips from its original home at the Racecourse. Next door to Tips is the Waterbird Sanctuary, with its bird hide, winding walks through groves of recently planted trees and the Koori Art Installation, featuring hundreds of plants laid out in the shape of a basket that traditionally was used by Aboriginals for collecting food.
Take the Owns Link track and head toward the Racecourse where you’ll find saline areas within and around the old racetrack. If you’ve ever wondered how long it would take to do a lap of a racecourse, here’s your chance to find out! Ben Boyd National Park and SEPP 14 wetland adjoin the south western boundaries of the Racecourse.
There are plans to construct more walking tracks linking areas together, and continue vegetation corridors from the north of Panboola through to the Pambula River, and across to the National Park.
Panboola is a wonderful place to experience nature, history and culture, and it doesn’t cost a cent. Information in this article is based on Panboola’s website at:
panboola.com
MERIMBULA
Potoroo Palace
(02) 6494 9225 is only minutes away from Merimbula, 9km north on the Princes Highway. Come for an abundance of wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, emus and other native birds. Reptiles too - including crocs! Come for a picnic or a BBQ, or enjoy a Devonshire Tea. Beautiful parkland setting makes Potoroo Palace a must-see. Open 10-4 every day in holidays, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon in off season. Education talks throughout the day.
BEGA
The Bega Cheese Heritage Centre
is located in the grounds of Bega Cheese, Lagoon St, North Bega (02) 6491 7777 and is open 9am to 5pm 7 days. Visit here and watch cheese being made, buy cheese and gourmet fudge, enjoy a snack. There's a picnic area here, and a playground, too! Now incorporating the Bega Visitor Information Centre.
www.begacheese.com.au
Grevillea Estate Winery
Buckajo Road, Bega (02) 6492 3006 is open 7 days from 9am to 5pm, offering visitors wine tastings and cellar door sales, a country style lunch at the Bails Restaurant and family farm fun.
www.grevilleawines.com
Quaama
Fruit Ballad Country Wines
Cnr. Princes Highway & Verona Road, Quaama (02) 6493 8382 is open 10am-5pm Wed-Sun and 7 days at school holiday times. Here you can sample (and Purchase) an unusual range of flavours and aromas which are refreshing and original.
www.fruitballad.com.au
NAROOMA
Walks around Narooma
There are two wonderful self-guided walks to do around Narooma produced by Narooma Historical Society.
Pick up the pamphlets from Narooma Visitors Centre and please leave a 50 cent donation for each in the box provided.
1. Mitchells Mill Walk - starts at the Visitors Centre and follows the path around the foreshores - just look for the numbered posts - all the way to the northern breakwater.
It talks about some of Narooma's early history including its busy shipping for almost 100 years, taking mainly timber to Sydney and returning with supplies from the area.
Check out the display featuring Narooma's rich maritime history in the Lighthouse Museum at the Visitor's Centre before you start walking.
The pamphlet predates the boardwalk but stick to the boardwalk rather than the road. It will be revised once the current edition runs out.
2. Ringlands Rotary Walk - follows a bush track from Shell Point to the rainforest at the Ringlands Estate. This outlines some of the history and natural features of the inlet.
TILBA
Foxglove Spire Gardens
Corkhill Drive Tilba Tilba (02) 4473 7375 or (02) 4476 3600 is open to the public 7 days and was voted one of the best gardens in Australia by Burkes Back Yard. There is an admission fee, however, the peace and tranquillity of the garden make this a must to visit.
Tilba Valley Wines
4km north of Central Tilba (02) 4473 7308 is open 7 days a week for tastings, cellar door sales, morning coffee, lunches and Devonshire teas. A great place to relax.
www.tilbavalleywines.com
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