Folks on the South Coast have had a rough ride with bushfires in the past couple of weeks, and they'll be picking up the pieces over the coming months. But the coast is still the place we know and love - and needs your support as much as ever!
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Tim the Yowie Man has spent the last 10 summers exploring the South Coast, and knows every inch of it. From best places to stay, swim and even have a beer, Tim has your next trip to the coast covered.
Here's Yowie's Top 10...
Best Beach
Cave Beach: With a coastline of over 400 beaches, it's pretty hard to narrow it down to one, but Cave Beach and adjoining Steamers Beach in Booderee National Park are hard to beat.
Expect: Washed with turquoise waters and backed by a natural grassy embankment, at the western headland of Cave Beach are two naturally-occurring caverns which give the beach its name.
Don't miss: The shade - they both certainly offer welcome respite to the summer heat.
Some even speculate that survivors from the numerous ships wrecked near here in the 1800s waited for rescue in these caves, and when help came they didn't want to leave!
Tim's Tip: While Cave Beach is accessible via an easy 300 metre walk, Steamers Beach is a bit harder to get to, but it's well worth the three kilometres (each way) trek down 250 steps (but hey, who's counting) from the top of the highest cliffs on the coast NSW coast.
Did You Know: A mega-tsunami around 9000 years ago is thought to have washed sediment 130 metres above Steamers Beach.
Take me there: Booderee National Park is located near Jervis Bay, a three-hour drive from Canberra.
- Ed's note: Booderee National Park is closed until further notice due to the fires. Check with the national park website to see if it's reopened before making plans. Always travel safely and have a fire plan.
Best Pub
Bermagui Beach Hotel: Due to its proximity to the beach and family-friendly atmosphere, this iconic 1895 watering hole, recently given a make-over by a trio of enterprising young publicans, just edges out Huskisson Pub and Tathra Hotel.
Expect: Yummy local food, local music and magical views across Horseshoe Bay Beach to dramatic Gulaga (Mt Dromedary).
Don't miss: The historic photo near the entrance of the late Bill O'Shea, the hotel's longest serving publican, and whose family ran the hotel for much of the twentieth century.
Some even say they have seen his ghost wandering the hallways, but perhaps they've just had a couple too many drinks.
Tim's Tip: Book a table on the deck, to watch the passing parade of beach-goers and to enjoy that view
Did You Know: The iconic watering hole has 16 beers on tap. Best not sample them all in one visit.
Take me there: 10 Lamont Street. Ph: 02 6493 4206 Web: www.bermaguibeachhotel.com.au
Best Coastal Cycle
Narooma-Dalmeny Track: Following a track well-trodden by Aboriginal people over thousands of years, with the bush on one side and shimmering sea on the other, this bike track is arguably our coast's most scenic.
Expect: A wondrous wetland, a lofty lookout, a mysterious midden and a deserted beach.
Every few hundred metres this coastal odyssey throws up another surprise.
Don't miss: Sting rays and other fish swimming in crystalline water beside you on the 700 metre Mill Bay Boardwalk section of the track.
Tim's Tip: Go early before the sea breeze picks up. Sure you will have a tailwind while riding in one direction, but it can be testing riding back into it.
Did You Know: Antons (65 Dalmeny Dr, Ph: 02 4476 1802) at Kianga is perfectly positioned about half-way along the ride for a pit-stop.
Take me there: Narooma is a three-hour drive from Canberra via Batemans Bay. Check-out: www.eurobodalla.com.au and www.cyclingnarooma.com.au for bike track maps.
Best Ocean Pool
Bermagui Blue Pools: While the Sydney and the Wollongong coasts have a plethora of ocean pools, the south coast only has a handful, but the stand-out, if you don't mind the water being a bit on the chilly side is Bermagui's Blue Pools.
Expect: To share the briny deep with myriad critters including star fish, crabs and fish.
Don't miss: It's one of the most instagrammable places on the South Coast. Check out some of the photos before you go, and try and better them.
Tim's Tip: Be careful with your tumble-turn at the northern end of the pool which narrows into a small cleft in the rocks allowing only room for one swimmer at a time.
Did You Know: Early mornings is popular with regulars, some who brave it all year round but once the sun is overhead snorkelers flock to the pool for the opportunity to eyeball the marine life in the pool.
Take me there: Bermagui is a three-hour drive via either Cooma (Brown Mountain) or Braidwood (Clyde Mountain).
Best Lookout
Beach Patrol Flight: From Cambewarra Lookout (complete with café) in the north to Pipers Lookout (that one half way down the Brown Mountain) in the south, the coast escarpment is studded with some expansive vantage spots, however, top of my list is a lookout of a, well, different type. You can join the daily beach patrol flight along the Sapphire Coast.
Expect: To fly low enough to make out the brand names emblazoned on the towels of sun-bakers on Tathra Beach. Really!
Don't miss: Viewed from above, the water really is sapphire-coloured.
Tim's Tip: Apart from sharks, look out for schools of salmon and pods of dolphins.
Did You Know: If a shark is spotted and is assessed to be a danger or threat to swimmers then the pilot will change the revs of the engine of the aircraft by gently manipulating the throttle in and out thus alerting the life guards.
Take me there: Merimbula Air Services offer a range of scenic flights from a ten minute flight over Merimbula to the low level Beach Patrol Ph: (02) 6495 1074 or www.mairserv.com.au/
Best Coast House
Myer House: While coastal enclaves along the Shoalhaven coast boast some classic coastal houses, if you are after an architecturally-designed beach house nestled into the secluded headland of one of our region's most dramatic national parks, a place where you can sunbake on your own beach, fish from your back step and snooze in luxury, then Myer House is for you.
Expect: Tumble out of bed and right onto the beach or enjoy a spot of tennis on your private court.
Don't miss: The lagoons, sandy beaches and rocky headlands of surrounding Mimosa National Park.
Tim's Tip: As it sleeps 12, the house is much more affordable if shared amongst a number of couple or two families.
Did You Know: The house was designed by Roy Grounds for Ken Myer, son of Sidney of the department store empire. Grounds also designed the Shine Dome.
Take me there: Myer House, Tanja, Mimosa Rocks National Park (a three-hour drive from Canberra).
Best Coast Drive
Tilba Tilba to Tathra: While many car manufacturers like to shoot their television ads on the 665 metre long Sea Cliff Bridge at Coalcliff, north of Wollongong, my favourite drive is the much longer 70 kilometre scenic route between Tilba Tilba and Tathra.
Expect: Coastal views and a number of historic wooden bridges - you know those old rattlers that shake every tooth in your head as you drive over them.
Don't miss: Built in the early 1890s at the request of Tilba cheese producers for easier access to the Sydney market, the historic wooden bridge which spans Wallaga Lake, has a distinctive hump in its middle.
Tim's Tip: Drive the road early, there'll be less traffic and its won't be as hot.
Did You Know: In 2014, Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie, filmed a scene for her World War 2 film 'Unbroken' at the Wallaga Lake bridge
Take me there: Tathra is a three-hour drive from Canberra via Brown Mountain.
Best Coast Walk
Kiama coast walk: The seven-km (one way) easy to moderate section of the Kiama Coast Track from Werri Lagoon to Kiama Heights.
Expect: Coastal scenery, cliff tops and pockets of forest.
Don't miss: About half way through this section of the walk, look westwards and you'll see a home with a spectacular view - the garden is dominated by a number of large Boab trees imported all the way from The Kimberley.
Tim's Tip: If walking in one direction only, head south, that way you will finish with a gentle downhill stroll alongside a sandy lagoon tailor-made for a swim, rather than slogging it up the steepest uphill section of the track and into suburbia.
Did You Know: The coast walk is suitable for kids (especially if they are enticed with a swim at the end) but there are some steep drop-offs so close supervision is recommended.
Take me there: Kiama is about 2.5 - 3 hour drive from Canberra via Moss Vale, Robertson and Jamberoo. www.kiama.com.au
Best Secret
Clyde River Berry Farm: Pick your own berries at this organic farm nestled on the banks of the Clyde River (Access to the berry farm is via roads affected by recent bushfires. Call ahead to check the best route.)
Expect: To forage for you very own berry feast.
Don't miss: The fresh berry ice cream made on site. Divine.
Tim's Tip: The berries are subject to seasonal variation, so check availability with the berry farm the day before you plan on going to avoid disappointment.
Did You Know: While the farm does grow a variety of berries including strawberries, boysenberries and blackberries, is it predominantly a blueberry farm.
Take me there: Lot 22 River Road, Mogood which is located in hinterland mid-way between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay. Ph: 02 4478 1057 www.clyderiverberryfarm.com.au
Best Waterfall
Carrington Falls: While there are some more well-known waterfalls such as Fitzroy Falls, for ease of access, this Illawarra escarpment landmark is my winner.
Expect: A 50-metre waterfall along with a chain of waterholes surrounding by a natural amphitheatre of lush vegetation.
Don't miss: Take your deckchair and relax or slip on the togs for a refreshing dip. Don't go too close to the edge and stay clear of the water after or during rain - this is the top of a waterfall after all.
Tim's Tip: Save this one for a summer scorcher for the water is often very cold due to the lack of direct sunlight.
Did You Know: There is plenty of parking here and a 30-minute loop (easy) walking track to a series of lookouts.
Take me there: Carrington Falls is about 15 kilometres from the Southern Highland's village of Robertson via Jamberoo Mountain Road.