explore • fish • hike • golf • swim • paddle • relax

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A special note to our guests:

THANK YOU for protecting the delightful small towns of regional New South Wales by getting vaccinated, boosted and practicing thoughtful COVID-safe behavior.  

We are all so looking forward to a promising 2024, but we rely on each and all of us to make that happen.  Your participation in vaccination and testing means that businesses can be open for you to enjoy.  

May your year be a happy and healthy one.

Broad Strokes - in & around Eden.

Please confirm opening hours with these venues as they stretch their wings again.

• visit the wildlife tours at both the Eden and Merimbula Golf Courses (after 3 PM) 
• pack a picnic and head down to the well-documented walk at Green Cape Lightstation.   As conservation areas, National Parks do not allow dogs, even on leads.
• pick up some exceptional oysters at Broadwater Landing (Pambula Lake) (sadly, not dog-friendly as they have their own working dogs about)
• Boydtown and the touching remnants of the Davidson Whaling Station.
• visit Oaklands Petting Zoo, Longreach Brewery and Oaklands Bistro (bistro and brewery are pet-friendly) and local artists' gallery
• Walk the charming wildlife reserve at Panboola (pet friendly on-lead)
• Shop the laneways of Merimbula (between Alice and Market Streets), the cozy hamlet of Pambula (so much on offer), or quirky downtown Eden

Kids Fun on the South Coast.

• Poteroo Palace 
• Eden Community Pool 
• Aslings Beach, and close-by Pambula Beach (for small children, especially).  
• Saltwater Pool at Aslings Beach, south end (take along sandals for the clamber over sharp rocks at the end near the pool
• Historic Rock Pool at Thompson's Point, Snug Cove (again, take along sturdy sandals for the clamber)
• Rockpool on north side of Tura Beach, off Tura Beach Headland Drive.  Petfriendly.  
• Local Playground at Apex Park and Aslings Beach Road, Eden
• Playing fields at Aslings Beach Road, near cemetery
• Skatepark at the Playing Fields, Aslings Beach Road
• Oaklands Petting Zoo and pony rides
• Magic Mountain Amusement Park
• Montreal Goldfields, Bermagui
• Wolumla Horse Riding Adventures, Wolumla, 0450 797 310
• Art 4 Fun kids classes, Saturday 1-3
• Coastlife Outdoor Adventures, paddleboard rentals and group activities. Pambula, Merimbula, Tathra
• Lets Go Kids, a website full of suggestions and coupons for things to do with kids in Australia, by location.
• and finally, desperate for colouring books or more games?  The local $2 store, One Stop Discount, is located on the main street in Eden at 193 Imlay Street. They have an amazing inventory of family-oriented goods.

Fitness and Yoga.

Please check each for availability and changes to schedules.  

• Broja Yoga with Beth.  Book on 0400 115 017.
• Get Fit in Eden with Tarryn Lucas.  Visit website or call 0421 989 433 for Eden schedule.
• Cove Fit with Catherine Martino.  0423 538 273
• P4mance Health & Fitness
• Pure Body Yoga and Wellness at Pambula.  Yoga and Pilates
• A new Fitness Trail is underway in Eden.  Equipment has been placed at Lloyd Cocks Park on Calle Calle Street. Now you can walk the dogs and stop for a quick fitness  indulgence at the same time.

Bikes and Kayaks.

• Mountain Bike Club.  Sixty kilometres of mountain bike trails, a year in the making and just recently seasoned and opened, Gravity Eden is now on the mountain biking circuit.  Congratulations to the club for the sustained effort -- grant writing, contracting, construction of proper trails and trials.  We were delighted to have a cameo in their presentation to council.  For What's On and availability: edentrails2551@gmail.com                     and for tours and rentals, Navigate Expeditions
• Kayaking tranquil inlets and saltwater lakes dot the south coast. Pambula Lake, Curalo Lagoon, Nullica River, Lake Wonboyn, Towamba River -- all offer protected waters for kayaking.  You are really spoiled for choice and unspoiled vistas.  And for those who like a guided tour and experiential packages: Navigate Expeditions

Use Hamlet House • Eden as your hub to explore the stunning Far South Coast of New South Wales. 

Community  Markets

• Candelo.  1st Sunday
• Cobargo.  Each Saturday
• Pambula. 2nd Sunday
• Eden. 3rd Saturday
• Merimbula. 3rd Sunday, 
• Bermagui. Last Sunday
• Wyndham. 4th Sunday
• Nethercote. Quarterly on a Saturday
• Flourish Pambula. Quarterly on a Saturday.  Make It, Bake It, Grow It.  Thai at Covingtons, Pambula

Monthly Events

Into 2024

• Cobargo Folk Festival, 1 Mar, Cobargo
• Eat Festival, 10 Mar, Merimbula
• WinterSun Festival, 7 Jun, Merimbula

Various unannounced times but worth notice:

• The Wool Shed at Burragate, various curated events 

Tours.

For some, part of the relaxation is to be shown around by locals. Why not relax and get those insider tips? Please call, text, or email the operators to confirm details as businesses reopen.

• Cat Balou Whale Watching and Cruises, Snug Cove, Eden
• Merimbula Whale Watching, leaves from Snug Cove, Eden
• Sapphire Coast Day Tours, Eden/Pambula/ Merimbula
• Captain Sponge's Magical Oyster Tours, Braodwater Landing, Pambula
• Southland Fish Supplies Factory Tour, Eden.    02 6496 3350
• National Parks Tours
• Great Southern Trike Tours
• Far South Coast Kayak Tours
• Phill Small Photography Tours
• DoubleTake walking photography tour
• Australia's Coastal Wilderness Adventures
• Freedom Fishing Charters
• Sam Nerrie Guided Photography Tours
• Eden Visitor Information Centre, local tour information, golf packages, walking tours and more

Scuba and Snorkelling.

• Dive Eden

Golf.

The Sapphire Coast is golfing country!  Three clubs lie within 30 minutes drive from Hamlet House, with Eden's just 5 minutes down the road.  Why not explore all three?  

October 22-29 is the Sapphire Coast Week of Golf with comps at several of the courses.  

• Eden's beautiful Eden Gardens Country Club lies on the north end of town.
• Pambula and Merimbula Golf Club is just 20 minutes from Eden.  
• And finally, Tura Beach Country Club is just 25 minutes away.  

Of course, other competitions are on throughout the year all over the Sapphire Coast.

We love the idea that the golfer in the family can enjoy 18 holes at one of 3 golf courses in the vicinity whilst the rest go to the beach or have a swim in the pool or go to ride a pony at Oaklands.  Something for everyone!  Return to relax with some Broadwater oysters and finger limes on the deck at Hamlet House.  So yum!

Gear.

Hamlet House has room for you to store your kayak out of sight, and put your gear in a locked storage shed.  Don't hesitate to bring along your mountain bikes, golf clubs, fishing gear and other bits and pieces that need to be out of sight whilst you are having fun exploring the Sapphire Coast (during your stay only).  We can even store a trailered boat in the yard! 

Scroll down or click the link for more Far South Coast goodness!

• Art and Museum Trail

• Dog-friendly Beaches,  Parks, 

and Cafés

• Local History

• The Vibe

• Markets

• For Foodies.

The stunning beauty of the South Coast invites exploration.  Markets, walks, dog-friendly beaches -- all sparkle like gems in the villages of the Sapphire Coast.  

• Sapphire Coast Town Walks: for walkers and hikers, there are so many places to indulge yourself along the coast.  Clifftops, wetlands, boardwalks, bush trails -- short walks and long, some of which are dog-friendly (see below). 

• For walks from  Bermagui to Eden, (an interactive map) and if you are particularly keen (30k one way), from just south of Eden at Ben Boyd Park to Green Cape, the Light to Light Walk.  Click here for a Google Man in the Street view of the walk.

• Wharf to Wharf Walk, 27 km coastal walk from Merimbula Wharf to the Tathra Wharf.   Day hike, overnight, or segmented walk.  

• See our blog about the dog-friendly Lake Curalo Walk, just down the hill from Hamlet House, with lakeside views, estuary birds, and countryside to explore.

• Walk the Story Trail, the portion of the Bundian Way from Cocora Beach to Quarantine Bay.  Four km return. 

• Eden History Walk, including the boardwalk portion of the Lake Curalo Walk, past the cemetery, up into town, and down into a portion of the Bundian Way Story Trail and up to Eagles Claw and the Eden Lookout.  Take it in bits and enjoy the stroll.

• Merimbula Boardwalk, 3.4 km return, about 1.5 leisurely stroll through the lands edge, past jetties and mangroves.  Begin at Lakewood Drive or the bridge at the end of Market Street.  Foot travel only, dogs on lead OK.  Benches available to rest or picnic  along the way.

Fishing.   

Eden is the most southerly deepwater port on the New South Wales Coast and has a long history with sea-farers, fishermen, and whalers.

• With a 4-ramp boat launch in Quarantine Bay, just 10 minutes south of Eden itself, fish-cleaning tables, frames disposal, and wash-down facilities, Eden accommodates your yen to be out on the sea with a line in the water.  
• Smaller facilities can be found at Snug Cove where the commercial fishing and aquaculture industry is based.  
• Two local shops and a chandlery support sailing and recreational fishing. 
• Moorings can be found at Snug Cove and Twofold Bay Yacht Club.  
• Fishing Licenses are now available at the Info Centre, in the new building at Snug Cove.
• For your daily local fishing report, click here.
• Fishing Charters
• Add to that, you can back your trailered boat into the fenced yard at Hamlet House, secure your gear in the locked shed, and cook your feast on the BBQ.   

Cruise Ships. 

After two years of cancellations, the cruise ships will return to Eden -- 35+ scheduled!  Here is an updated schedule.

• 2023-2024 Cruise Ship Schedule

If you are booking a tour or special event, it is a important to check the cruise schedule.  Typically, the ships are in town for the day, and often tours are booked out.  Don't miss out on your chance to join a tour.

Gateway.

With its new upgraded extended wharf and deep-water port,  Eden has become the gateway to New South Wales, ACT and Victoria -- especially the Sapphire Coast, Gippsland, west to the Monaro/Snowy Mountains, on to Canberra and north to Sydney. 

An award-winning Welcome Centre has been built at Snug Cove for the comfort of cruise ship passengers but also for those visiting the area.  There is a pop-up coffee cart, a really good bookshop featuring local natural history, walks, and children's books, as well as a gift shop with locally themed items.  Paired with the Info Centre, and staffed by local volunteers and professionals, you couldn't find better information. 

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Galleries, Museums & Open Studios

Please check to confirm open times, dates and programs.  Thanks for your patience and understanding, and for maintaining your COVID-safe practices.  

Bega 

• Bega Pioneers Museum

• Spiral Gallery

•  Bega Valley Regional Gallery

• Bega Cheese Heritage Museum

Bermagui

• Bermagui Historical Society Museum

• Bermagui Mudworks & Cafe

• Narek Gallery

• Mr. Jones 

• Shop 7 Art Space 

• Montreal Goldfield

Cobargo

• Lazy Lizard Gallery (reduced hours, depending on members' availability)

• Cobargo Creators

• Cobargo District Museum

Eden

• Ben Boyd History Centre, just re-located, adjacent to Seahorse Inn Car Park, Boydtown, open Sundays and holidays

• Eden Killer Whale Museum (closed until further notice due to border closures)

• Monaroo Bobberer Gudu Keeping Place, Jigamy

• St. Mary MacKillop Museum

Merimbula

• Old School Museum 

Pambula

• Oaklands Village Gallery 

• Black Daisy Trading

• Artessence Gallery 

Tathra

• The Wharf Local Museum, Tathra

•  Ivy Hill Gallery, Wapengo 

Tura Beach

• Peter Dunne, Artist & Studio

Further Afield

• Australian Pottery, Bemboka

• David Mills Studio, Wallagout

Workshops

• Art4Fun, various classes bookings essential, 0400 949 175

Supplies for your own artistic journey.  

• The Discount Shop on Imlay Street in Eden has a pretty good supply of art materials, frames, and bits and bobs to help with that creative project.  
• The Collins Bookstore in Merimbula also has a smaller, but still substantial art section.  
• Newsagents in Pambula and Eden are well stocked with magazines to use for collage, paper to draw on, and a few art supplies.  
• And finally, Pins and Needles in Merimbula has a very nice selection of fabrics, yarns, and notions.  If you don't see what you're after, just ask. They have items tucked away here and there.  

Inspiration?  

Of course, the landscape -- and the gardens, the wildlife, the beaches and pathways.  

Beyond that, Poteroo's Palace has quite a nice natural history book store, as does Art on Imlay.  There is a wonderful used bookstore in the laneway just up from Pins and Needles in Merimbula called Time Machine Bookshop. So fun to browse.  We always come away with something we didn't know we needed!  

Dog-Friendly   

We love to pile the dogs in the car and go explore one of the hamlets for coffee or lunch. Add in a dog-beach or a walking trail and we are all in heaven (woofs too). 

When you stay at Hamlet House,  eco-friendly doggy bags are provided for you.  Thanks for picking up after your furry family member!  (Deposit in the red bin for pick-up, thanks.)

• Dog-friendly Beaches:  Just two blocks down the hill  from Hamlet House is Aslings Beach -- a wonderfully dog-friendly beach!  Check signs for entry point.
• Whale watching and dog-walking combo, just ½ hour down the road!  Tura Beach Headland 
• Cattle Bay Beach and Picnic Grounds, refurbed and open.  Weecon Cove, Cattle Bay Wharf.
• Click here for dog-friendly beaches along the Sapphire Coast.  
• Eden Doggie Daycare.  Book on 0439 883 306.   Eden has a wonderful new addition to help visitors who brought along their  4-legged family members, but want to take tours, kayak trips, and walk the National Forests.  We encourage you to use doggie day-care as your fur-child can become distressed when left in a strange place alone.  
• Pet Service: Maddy Braithwaite (walking, pet check-in).  FB Messenger for times/rates.

National and State Parks.               

Most parks have re-opened now after the hard work of making bush-fire and flood ravaged trails and camping sites safe for visitors.  Their re-opening times vary depending on the assessment for visitor safety.  Click here to check.  

Note: National Parks are dedicated wildlife sanctuaries and conservation zones and thus are not dog-friendly, even on lead. 

For dog-friendly parks, check out State Parks and Regional Parks.  They usually ARE dog-friendly. Check your destination and watch for pet-friendly signs -- and of course, take along a roll of doggy bags (what your dog carried in, you must carry out!).

Supplies for your fur-family. 

•  Supply Central on Imlay Street, Eden - just across from Ollie Mason's - has supplies for all sorts of pets including large and hoofed ones.  
• The One Stop Discount Shop also stocks harnesses, leads, pet coats and pet beds.  
• Eden Vet Clinic, near the Golf Course, has a 3-village practice (Eden, Pambula, and Merimbula) with good vets and pet supplies.  (02) 6496 1252

Dog-friendly Restaurants.

Restaurants change often, but these have dog-friendly patios, food that is consistently worth the visit and staff/owners who are lovely and welcoming.  Our list is completely subjective and limited to our regular haunts for lunch.  We look forward to expanding this list.

• Sprout, Eden back garden or front footpath
• Oaklands, Pambula 
• Wild Ryes, Pambula, footpath and laneway tables
• and a new addition: @theWharf with changing pop-ups. 

 A Little Local History

Eden is at the southern end of Yuin country, and the local Katungal people of the Yuin nation have had a deep relationship with the sea, with whaling and a hunting partnership with resident Orca (Killer Whales or Beowas).  Long before European whalers discovered Eden, the Orca helped the Katungal people hunt humpback whales and were rewarded for their efforts with choice parts of the whale.

Eden, perched at the edge of the land on a deepwater port, has survived many cycles of boom and bust after European settlement, promise and disappointment, resulting in a lingering, abiding hope.  Resilience and community spirit are the heart of Eden.

Equidistant from Melbourne and Sydney, Eden was among several locations considered for the nation's capitol.  Easy rail connections for people and freight to Gippsland in the south and Sydney to the north have been proposed and defeated, funded and defunded since the late 19th century -- over 100 years -- with no rail service yet!  State rivalries and township politics have played a role in the dramas of rail development, as have various industries and lobbies, as well in the progress of this border town.  The rumble of logging trucks along Princes Highway, and of wheels delivering the bounty of the sea and of the rich dairying land north and south are a result of the lack of rail access.  

As you stroll the broad pathways, you can see the houses that were built during boom times of tuna and timber harvests, and those that were built when the government needed workers to come to Eden -- often from far across the oceans.  Gardens reflect the longing for home and the determination to make a mark in the new land.  

Today, there is once again an excitement in the air about Eden and the villages of the Sapphire Coast, as people yearn for some elbow room to grow, terrific schools for their children, and services to support a contemporary lifestyle.  There is a country town generosity in Eden that you'll notice straight away.

Entrepreneurs are filtering into the area -- surfing schools, yoga studios, a winter months Food Truck Collective, locavore restaurants, and growers, bakers, and the shellfish farmers who supply them), roasteries, breweries and distilleries, local tours, galleries, mountain bike trails, triathlons and poetry slams. It's all happening!

For background, geology, and history, Eden's Community website offers up-to-date information.  The Visitor Information Centre,  opened a year ago at the Snug Cove Cruise Ship Welcome Centre, is staffed by a professional team with deep local knowledge. You'll find heaps of information, friendly guidance for visitors, and genuinely nice folks.

Use Hamlet House for your hub to explore the Sapphire Coast. This pet-friendly self-catering holiday house been refurbished and refreshed again for your comfort - reverse cycle air-con (a must on the South Coast), new kitchen, refreshed bath, new laundry, new windows, lighting and carpet, several lashings of paint, insulation, fresh landscaping, and deck privacy -- all part of a carefully considered upgrade.  

We hope you will enjoy thoughtful, personal and welcoming touches at Hamlet House. Your comfort and relaxation is our goal. We love our stays in Eden.  We hope you do too.  

For bookings at Hamlet House • Eden and inquiries, and specials on offer:

• email edenholidayrentals@gmail.com 
• or text/call Lisa and her team on       0421 027 867.  
• to check availability and pricing, and/or to book online without fuss, click HERE.

What to wear on the South Coast?

Casual layers.  Maybe the way to say that is "country casual."  It is a rare occasion that requires a bit of bling.  You won't be out of place anywhere wearing a puffy vest.  Ok, add in a couple of bangles if you insist or a smart scarf, but really comfort, warmth, layers and flexibility will be perfect for most occasions and venues. 

Vests, jackets, gear.  What if you forgot your jacket or vest, need another layer or locally-badged gear?  There are several nice shops in Eden on Imlay Street along with the well-stocked Anglican OpShop.  Pambula and Merimbula offer even more smart shops and bargain stores as well.   

Sapphire or (Far) South Coast? 

You'll hear this area referred to in several ways, but the most frequently used are the Sapphire Coast, the South Coast, and the Far South Coast. Absolutely interchangeable!  Here's the logic:  Eden overlooks the southern-most deepwater port on the South Coast of New South Wales and is the last village before you reach the Victorian border. To distinguish itself from the Bateman's Bay area or the Shoalhaven, in the northern part of the South Coast, Eden, at the southern end of the South Coast, thus becomes the FAR South Coast.  And that Sapphire Coast label? The water and air sparkle a remarkable sapphire blue. With little big-city pollution to dim the vibrant light, you'll take away a memory of that sparkling blue and the crisp fresh air that goes along with it.  

Emerging Vibe: Little vibe-y pockets are burgeoning in each South Coast village as a new generation of entrepreneurs  discovers what a genuinely lovely place the Far South Coast is. Local breweries and distilleries, whole food and fresh veg shops, savvy food purveyors, yoga and fitness classes, fishers and garden groups, paddle-boarders and windsurfers, designers and artists -- the list is expanding, extensive, and compelling.   

Slow Down and Chill. 

You'll notice the tink of the bell birds, the occasional hum of a lumber truck or fishing boat, and the slowing of your own pace as the clean air and country-town generosity seep into your bones. Like us, you won't want to leave.  And when you must, you'll be plotting your return.

Markets

Fascinating local markets are on every weekend within a ½ hour drive -- each with its own character.   Thanks for your patience and social distancing.

Mix local growers and makers in with old wares, food, and plant specialists and you've got it. We couldn't pick a favourite.  They're all good!  

Most are open from 8 AM til midday, with small variations.  It is good to check the website for specific times or changes to schedules.

For on-lead dog-friendly markets, choose Pambula and Merimbula.   The others are a bit close quartered to offer room for woofies to be super-welcome.  

All good, though.  Coffee in  hand, we swap turns meandering through the markets and woofie duty that usually involves chats and admiration.  Hard to choose, really!

• Candelo.  1st Sunday
• Cobargo.  Each Saturday
• Pambula. 2nd Sunday
• Eden. 3rd Saturday (closed due to corona virus)
• Merimbula. 3rd Sunday, 
• Bermagui. Last Sunday
• Wyndham. 4th Sunday
• Nethercote. Quarterly on a Saturday
• Flourish Pambula. Quarterly on a Saturday.  Make It, Bake It, Grow It.  Thai at Covingtons

Other options for fresh vegetables include supermarkets in every town, with a few standouts and specialty stores:

• Pambula Whole Foods, with bins of foodstuffs from flours and musli to spices and pastas.  Some local fresh veg and flowers, depending on the season, and bottled/bagged gourmet fare.  
• Pambula Fruit Market, with a Mediterranean flare.  Cheeses, vegetables, fruit, bottled and bagged gourmet items. 
• Sprout, Eden for local fresh veg and fruit + deli case and café (say hello to the new owners) and  Sprout Whole Foods shop just across the street, on the corner with a new coffee kiosk attached.

Some Foodie Standouts

This is a changing landscape and completely subjective.  That said, there are some interesting options available on the Far South Coast.  

• Oyster Trail.  We love stopping at Broadwater Oysters to pick up a dozen or so of medium sized Sydney Rock Oysters grown on Pambula Lake.  Very very reasonable pricing, and freshly shucked to your order.  During the season, thousands of dozens (!) are shipped from this cooperative to the Sydney area.  That said, there are heaps of shellfish growers in the area and we are on a mission to try them all!  Personal favourite: plain with a squeeze of finger lime.  De-lish!
• Mussels.  Fresh Eden Mussels can be purchased straight from the boat.  Check times and availability. And smoked at Eden Smokehouse.
• Smoked seafood and meats, locally sourced, are available at Eden Smokehouse, Snug Cove.  
• Beer.  Longstocking Brewery, at Oaklands, Pambula.  Very nice drops, good bar food, weekend music, dog-friendly. Woodfired Pizza on Friday and Saturday nights -- best in the area.
• Gin.  North of Eden Distillery, including "Gin School" and other delights.  
• Wine.  Breakfast Creek Vineyard, Coolagolite.  Catch them at the markets whilst renovating.  
• Niagara Lane Cheese, Kameruka (think Christmas gift boxes!)
• Winter Months Foodie Scene: Food Truck Collective with music, dancing, food, drink, fire pits, and fun.  Paused until winter 2021, due to COVID-19.  

Special Note:  Uh oh!  Think you might need a COVID test?  Free COVID-19 Clinic every Wednesday, Eden Community Health Centre, Twofold Arcade, Bass Street. Call 1800 999 980, option 1 to book.

Website updated 2 June 2023.

Our website is updated regularly.  If we have missed something, a link doesn't work, or you have found inaccurate information, we truly appreciate a heads-up at  edenhamlethouse@gmail.com.   We'll fix it up right away.