16 Best Things To Do in Batemans Bay

Let us introduce you to the NSW South Coast town that has a little something for everyone.

From the waves that draw surfers to the oyster farm tours for foodies and wildlife attractions for families, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to finding things to do in Batemans Bay. We’ve broken it down into categories for fun, couples, families and things to do a bit further afield, if you have the time. So what are you waiting for? Get ready to dive into the best things to do in Batemans Bay.

Fun things to do in Batemans Bay

Looking for fun things to do in Batemans Bay? You can lose track of time at one of the local beaches, walk through the wilderness, enjoy some retail therapy, explore the botanic gardens or kayak along the Clyde River, known as Bhundoo to the local Yuin people.

1. Enjoy a Clyde River Oyster Tasting Kayak Tour

Join fourth-generation oyster farmers and local tour operator Region X for a taste of Australia’s Oyster Coast.

two people paddling along Batemans Bay during sunset — Witness the sunset over Batemans Bay while paddling on a canoe. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

Paddle under the Batemans Bay Bridge to visit working oyster farms, explore the Clyde River, and spot crabs, fish, eagle rays and waterbirds. If you’d prefer to go it alone, you can choose to hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard for an hour or an entire day.

a woman kayaking along Batemans Bay, Clyde River Oyster Tasting Kayak Tour — Join the Clyde River Oyster Tasting Kayak Tour to taste the freshest oysters in Australia. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

2. Enjoy gourmet fish and chips on a river cruise

A cruise up the Clyde River onboard the MV Merinda in Batemans Bay is an exercise in nostalgia. Take a twilight dinner cruise or three-hour lunch cruise all the way to Nelligen on the cruise, which is one of the highlights on the self-drive Gourmet Coast Trail . Expect expert commentary and ocean-to-plate seafood from the Innes Boatshed , one of the best places for fish and chips in Batemans Bay.

the dining interior at The Innes Boatshed, Batemans Bay — Dine with your friends at The Innes Boatshed. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

3. Batemans Bay Sculpture Walk

Immerse yourself in the local arts scene by floating along the 1.5-kilometre-long Batemans Bay Sculpture Walk. The walk carves through Batemans Bay CBD and along the breezy foreshore to the marina and rockwall, with lots of public art dotted along the pathway.

a silver ring sculpture along Batemans Bay Sculpture Walk — Walk past incredible sculptures along the seaside path in Batemans Bay. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

Want to step it up? Bounce along the Broulee Island Nature Reserve Walk which is known for its birdlife, including the fairy wren and white-bellied sea eagle.

the Sculptures of the Clyde along Batemans Bay Sculpture Walk — Be part of the annual Sculpture for Clyde event along Batemans Bay Sculpture Walk. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

4. Swim with seals

The Eurobodalla is known as ‘the land of many waters’. Heads are known to swivel when snorkelling or diving with fur seals on a tour with Montague Island Tours , which takes visitors to witness the largest seal colony in NSW, located just a 20 minute boat ride from Narooma on the mainland. Advanced divers will find a lot of fish and enjoy fascinating encounters with seals.

5. Wildlife encounters with penguins, whales and more

There are plenty of wildlife encounters to be had in Batemans Bay. Other than diving with seals, you can enter Montague Island Nature Reserve with Montague Island Tours to visit a Little penguin colony. In the evening, you can watch the adorable creatures waddle onto shore as they return home. When it’s whale migration season, you can head out with an experienced guide to watch the the mighty marine creatures. A pod of dolphins will likely make a cameo, too. If you’re interested in whale watching, we’ve rounded up the best places in Australia to spot whales.

whale Eurobodalla — Spot whales off Montague Island. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism; @eurobodalla)

6. Mooch around a farmers market

Access locally grown or harvested food at SAGE Farmers’ Market , a legendary local farmers’ market held every Tuesday afternoon in Moruya Riverside Park.

people shopping around Sage Farmers’ Market — Shop around SAGE Farmers’ Market in Moruya Riverside Park. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

The Batemans Bay Sunday Market , held on the third Sunday of each month, is also worth a visit, selling everything from fresh briny oysters to bric-a-brac, second-hand clothing and wood-fired sourdough. Moruya Country Markets is held every Saturday morning at Riverside Park and features bespoke art and craft, music and food stalls.

people buying local fruits and veggies at Sage Farmers’ Market — Fill your baskets with local produce at Sage Farmers’ Market. (Image: J Griffiths Photography)

7. Meet creative types at the Mogo Collective

The Mogo Collective stands out for its dedication to supporting local artists. The colourful collective is packed with everything from Indigenous artworks to paintings and property, knitwear, delicate jewellery, antique suitcases, furniture and food. Visit local artist Grace Paleg at her studio gallery in Batemans Bay where you can also purchase one of her pretty pastel artworks.

the exterior of the Mogo Collective — Find new and old treasures at Mogo Collective. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

8. Enjoy brunch at The Mossy Cafe

Service is sparkly-eyed and charming at The Mossy Cafe , which you will find at Mossy Point along the coast road south from Batemans Bay to Broulee.

the cafe exterior of Mossy Point — Order a smoothie at Mossy Point.

The menu options can be overwhelming here so, to aid in your planning, we’ve done the research: order beans and cheese jaffles and Grinch smoothies for the kids and a Middle Eastern brunch bowl for the grown-ups. Check out some of Batemans Bay’s top restaurants while you’re here.

a plate of burger and fries at Mossy Point — Grab a bite of burger and fries at Mossy Point.

Things to do for couples in Batemans Bay

Want to impress your Bumble date while in Batemans Bay? Sidestep around the obvious and lean into less-hyped experiences designed to surprise and delight.

9. Follow a local food trail

The recommendations dotted along the Eurobodalla Food Trail have been mapped out with foodies in mind. Inspired highlights on the self-drive itinerary include farmers’ markets, ocean-to-plate experiences and visits to coffee roasters that will please connoisseurs.

a close-up photo of bee harvesting during the Eurobodalla Food Trail — Learn sustainable bee farming practices during the Eurobodalla Food Trail. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

Pack a hamper so you can source local produce and curate your own feast. The Gourmet Coast Trail also makes food the focus of its bespoke Batemans Bay itinerary.

a guy cooking food during the Eurobodalla Food Trail — Sign up for a gastronomic escapade at Eurobodalla Food Trail.

10. Ride an e-bike along the riverside

Discover the Eurobodalla by looping around an extensive range of paths, trails and signposted routes . There are almost 400 kilometres of pathways and trails that snake along the coast. Take a guided tour or hire an e-bike from Bateman’s Bay Cycles for an easier ride. Cruise Bateman’s Bay’s foreshore, cycle to a manicured park to find a place to picnic, or spot whales during the migration season.

Batemans Bay Cycles in Batemans Bay, NSW — Join a cycling tour with Batemans Bay Cycles.

11. Enjoy a dozen oysters at The Wray St Oyster Shed in Batemans Bay

The Clyde River is surrounded by national parks and is itself part of the area’s marine park. This translates to fabulous farm-fresh oysters; go shuck yourself at The Oyster Shed on Wray Street or order a freshly opened dozen to slurp down on the deck outside the rustic blue shed overlooking the oyster leases.

farmers returning to Wray Street Oyster Shed, Batemans Bay with fresh oysters — Farmers harvest fresh oysters at Batemans Bay. (Image: Destination NSW)

Seeing the stingrays being fed near the oyster shed is also an in-the-know attraction.
a farmer holding an opened fresh oyster at The Oyster Shed, Batemans Bay

Slurp down newly harvested shellfish at The Oyster Shed. (Image: Destination NSW)

Things to do for families in Batemans Bay

Batemans Bay for families is all about getting out and about amid the national parks and marine reserves, kayaking, walking, wildlife and camping. Here are a few more ideas for families.

12. Visit Mogo Wildlife Park

Gorillas, rhinos, gibbons, Bolivian squirrel monkeys, giraffe, zebra, meerkats, cotton-top tamarins, snow leopards, Sumatran tigers, red pandas, ring-tailed lemurs, otters, siamangs and white lions are just a few of the 250 animals housed at Mogo Wildlife Park, which is committed to the conservation of endangered species. Mogo Zoo is located just outside Batemans Bay.

the entrance of Mogo Wildlife Park — Get a chance to see local wildlife up close at Mogo Wildlife Park. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

13. Catch a wave around Batemans Bay

Sign up for a surf lesson at Broulee Surf School near Batemans Bay to learn the basics or perfect more intermediate moves.

kids holding surfboards at Broulee Surf School — Get your surfboards ready. (Image: Destination NSW)

Founded in the 1990s by local surfing legend Kel Wehner, who pioneered the local surf scene, the accredited instructors at the family-run surf school know all the best breaks, regardless of whether you are new to surfing or want to level up to intermediate.

kids learning how to surf at Broulee Surf School, Batemans Bay — Learn how to stand-up paddle and surf at Broulee Surf School. (Image: Destination NSW)

14. Sunset Pizza Paddle

Incentivise your children to get off their screens and do something oarsome with local tour operator Region X . As well as providing opportunities to drop in a few dad jokes, you will enjoy some quality time together on your float and feast tour through the Clyde River National Park. Float like a leaf in the river while you enjoy fresh pizza delivered to your kayak while watching the setting sun paint the sky.

Free things to do around Batemans Bay

Some of the best things to do in and Batemans Bay are free. Basically, the top things to do in Batemans Bay revolve around nature. From visiting the botanical garden to hiking the Mt Budawang Trail or spending a day at the beach, here’s how to have fun without spending a penny.

15. Visit the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens

Thinking about rewilding your garden? Becoming a guerrilla gardener? Or simply indulging in some wilderness therapy? The Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens are a great place to start.

Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden in Mogo, NSW — Discover the flora and fauna of the Eurobodalla region. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

Being outdoors is something that everyone in the family will enjoy as there are lots of plants and flowers here to appreciate. Regardless of the time of year, there will be surging displays of wildflowers and plants that hold their colour year-round. Kids will love exploring the feature gardens.

16. Take a hike or bushwalk

Lace up your boots and get a wriggle on. Mt Budawang Trail is only four kilometres long. But it punches up 430 metres to the summit along a route that can be rocky and rather hectic. Switch your photo format to panoramic so you can best capture the 360-degree view. Pack plenty of water as the trail, which threads through a diverse range of environments – from grassy woodland to wet gullies – will take a full day.

17. Spend the day soaking up the sun

There are a lot of beautiful beaches in Batemans Bay. But staking your claim to a patch of sand will depend on whether you’ve come to Batemans Bay to swim, soak up the sun, or surf.

a scenic view of Denhams Beach, Batemans Bay — Hear the sound of the gentle waves crashing on Denhams Beach.

You can check out every crescent of sand while on a road trip along the NSW South Coast. Or be a bit more strategic. Surfers will want to rise before the sun to get to South Broulee Beach when its breaking, while families might opt for Denhams Beach, where the bush abuts the sand. These are a few of the best beaches in and around Batemans Bay.

an overhead shot of the seascape at Denhams Beach — Denhams Beach lies on the Tasman Sea coast, southeast of Batemans Bay.

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.

The 16 best things to do in Batemans Bay