Merimbula travel guide

Merimbula serves as the capital of the Sapphire Coast and receives most of its tourist traffic. Surrounded by fine beaches and bisected by Merimbula Lake (which is actually a saltwater inlet), it offers plenty to see and do, with Main Beach, south of the lake, being the most popular for swimming and body boarding. The lake itself is a great venue for boating, windsurfing and fishing.

The surrounding coast also offers some good diving and is the happy home of a resident pod of dolphins. From September to December migrating whales join the party making cruising the town’s speciality. On the northern bank of Merimbula Lake is the VIC (2 Beach St, T6495 1129, http://www.marimbulatourism.com.au, 0900-1700), which has full details of diving, horse trekking and scenic flights. The NPWS (corner of Sapphire Coast and Merimbula Drive, T6495 5000, 0830-1630), has a great Discovery Centre, offering parks and regional walks information, natural history displays, maps and gifts.