Bliss in Bermagui

1 September 2020

Odometer: 409 km

We left Mollymook on Sunday morning and headed south to Bermagui. This place was mentioned in the ABC show Rake and we decided to check it out. What we didn’t know is that this is one of Tourism Australia’s top 16 nature destinations, as it has one of the best tracts of temperate forested coastal wilderness in the world.

As we drove south, there were more signs of the catastrophic bush fires in and around the Princess Highway. Thankfully the trees are regenerating and are covered in green new growth.

We pass some wonderful beaches and tidal wetlands, and arrive in Bermagui, crossing the 130 year old, single lane wooden Wallaga bridge.

Bermagui was a really pleasant surprise. The town has a sheltered harbour with fishing boats and nice beaches between the headlands. Laid back, it still has lots of smaller wooden and weatherboard houses and an amazing ocean pool. Sitting on the side of that pool we watch dolphins and seals play in the surf, and a whale passing by, before heading for a drink in the Bermagui Beach Hotel. Yes, we could conceivably retire here!

We also visited nearby historic village of Tilba. Established in the 1840’s it has a nice row of little shops, craft places, restaurants, and a cheese factory!

• Best coffee: Honorbread, which also serves amazing pastries!!!!
• Accomodation: AirBnB, Vista Marina Penthouse