Merimbula, NSW Australia

I left the tranquil coastal town of Eden and headed north toward Merimbula, eager to explore whatever I encountered. 

My first stop was at Pambula Lake to take an oyster farming tour because I had heard that the Sapphire Coast is where the best oysters can be found. Some say they are the best in the world, and there’s nothing like having the renowned Sydney Rock oyster straight from the lake. Of course, I had to earn my oyster by learning to shuck it safely, wiggling the knife between the shells until it popped and then gently loosening the oyster from the shell. A squeeze of lemon amplifies the flavour, which is easy to carry when out on a lake. However, if I were in a restaurant, I’d be asking for Oysters Kilpatrick because I love the flavour of tomato sauce (ketchup) mixed with Worcestershire Sauce drizzled on the oysters, topped with bacon bits and baked in the oven. Hmm, I can practically taste it already.

After the lake, I passed through the historic town of Pambula, where the nearby Panboola Wetlands are brimming with birdlife. But before the wetlands existed, the area was home to the Thaua people, who thrived on the abundance of seafood from the Pambula River and rich wetland vegetation. The Thaua were deeply connected to the land through their cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. With the arrival of European settlers in the 1830s, the land was developed until the mid-1990s when a local resident purchased a parcel of land to establish a waterbird sanctuary. Further purchases over succeeding years helped develop the current Panboola Wetlands, where a wide range of birds, such as royal spoonbills and purple swamphen, call it home, and birdwatching and bird photography are a favourite pastime. Bird sculptures are dotted throughout the reserve, and winding paths offer cycling and bushwalking opportunities alongside mangroves, swamp marshes, grassy plains and a freshwater billabong.

Merimbula is a holiday hotspot during the summer months, as families on road trips descend on the town for their vacation. Arriving during a quieter time, I wasted no time immersing myself in the many watersport activities on Merimbula Lake. I challenged myself on a stand-up paddleboard, requiring a significant amount of core strength, followed by a kayak paddle and finished with a refreshing swim. 

Once back on dry land, I meandered around the lake’s edge on a boardwalk, passing mangrove forests, eucalyptus trees, and nearby oyster estuaries. It was an easy 2mi (3.4km) return walk, ending my day at Mitchie’s Jetty. I savoured a delicious serving of fish and chips as I watched the sun dip below the horizon. It was a moment of sheer delight, satisfied with my day of exploration.