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)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

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.

Discover what makes this country town the perfect place to slow down, switch off and recharge.

At first glance, the country town of Moree may look like just another charming highway town, with heritage buildings, a leafy town centre and classic pubs the locals love. However, this regional New South Wales town is Australia’s Artesian Spa Capital, a wellness hub with a rich Indigenous cultural history and a growing reputation as a destination for slow travel.

Moree is ideally located at the crossroads of the Gwydir and Newell highways (and is also easily reached by train and air), making it a refreshing destination, or stop, on any road trip. And these eight experiences show why.

1. Taste Moree on a Plate

Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service team with their Seafood Paella at the 2019 Moree on a Plate Festival — Taste the best of regional produce and culinary talent. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Time your trip for Mother’s Day weekend in May, and you’ll find yourself in the middle of the popular annual food and wine festival, Moree on a Plate, celebrating regional produce and culinary talent from the region’s fertile plains.

Browse the stalls and sample olives, pecans, citrus fruits, honey, boutique wines and handmade condiments. You can also enjoy live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a local barbecue competition, plein-air art, live music and a dedicated children’s activity area.

2. Experience artesian waters

woman at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre — Chill out in Moree’s famous artesian waters.

Moree’s famous artesian waters have attracted visitors for over 130 years. First discovered by accident in 1895, this mineral-rich, naturally heated water is drawn from deep within the Great Artesian Basin. Soak and slow down in the recently renovated pools at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, where you can choose between the active pool with massaging water jets or the passive pool for a more relaxing experience.

For a longer soak, stay at one of the many motels within walking distance of the aquatic centre. Or book a stay with its own artesian pools.

Gwydir Thermal Pools Motel & Caravan Park has five on-site thermal pools and a broad range of accommodation, while the Phoenix Resort offers both indoor spas and outdoor thermal pools as well as recently upgraded self-contained apartments and motel rooms. Meanwhile, the Artesian Spa Motel is set on five acres of landscaped gardens and features swimming and thermal pools, including an indoor artesian spa and an on-site restaurant.

3. Enjoy an arty experience

To connect with Moree’s artistic side, head to Bank Art Museum Moree (BAMM), an independent contemporary art gallery housed in a beautifully preserved, Federation-era bank dating back to 1910. Inside, a nationally significant collection celebrates the art and culture of the Gamilaroi/Kamilaroi people and other First Nations artists alongside regional Australian art, while changing exhibitions offer something new.

Follow the Moree Art Mural Trail through the CBD, and you’ll pass large-scale murals and small galleries reflecting stories of the town’s people, history and culture. While you’re exploring this open-air gallery, look out for the eclectic mix of Art Deco and early 20^th-century architecture, including the Moree Courthouse and the striking Capitol Theatre facade.

4. Discover cotton country

Aerial overlooking cotton farming in progress on the Newport Cotton Farm, Moree — Learn more about Moree’s cotton industry. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Surrounded by the black-soil plains of the Gwydir Valley, Moree is at the centre of one of Australia’s major cotton-growing areas. Visit between March and May, and you’ll see fields covered in the distinctive fluffy white cotton bolls being harvested by huge machinery.

Trace the cotton from paddock to fabric on the Cotton Farm and Gin tour, running from April to September. You’ll visit a cotton farm and a working cotton gin up close, where you’ll see the cotton fibres separated from the seeds. Tours run weekly and include transfers.

5. Explore the Moree Plains

care driving around moree — Head out of town to explore the plains.

Outside of the city centre, Moree is surrounded by charming rural villages dotted around the plains. The quiet village of Boomi, around 90 kilometres north-west of Moree, offers historic early 20^th-century architecture, its own artesian thermal waters at the Boomi Artesian Baths and vast outback skies.

Further west, the pioneer border town of Mungindi straddles the Barwon River between New South Wales and Queensland. Follow the 2.5-kilometre sculpture trail to take in the outdoor public art, and you’ll cross the state border twice.

6. Relax by the water

bird at Gwydir Wetlands in moree — Spot the locals at Gwydir Wetlands.

Just a short drive away, the peaceful Tareelaroi Weir Recreation Area makes the most of the meandering Gwydir River. Set up camp along the riverside and enjoy picnicking, fishing and swimming.

A little further afield, the Gwydir Wetlands are home to 75 recorded waterbird species, including brolgas, magpie geese, egrets, spoonbills, ibis and black-necked storks, also known as jabirus. Watchers can settle into the hide at Waterbird Lagoon, or follow a short walking trail through the wetlands, keeping an eye out for rare species.

7. Immerse in local Indigenous culture

Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area — Learn about the history of the Gamilaroi People.

Moree lies on the traditional lands of the Gamilaroi People, whose connection to the land stretches back thousands of years. Today, visitors can learn about this history at Terry Hie Hie Aboriginal Area, which includes the 3.5 kilometre Yana-y Warruwi Walking Track.

Back in town, the Open Space Aboriginal Art Trail allows you to enjoy the Mehi River with a free, self-guided public art trail of work from local Indigenous artists and their personal connection to Country. Finish with a visit to the remarkable Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre, where more than 110,000 family genealogies are recorded. Browse artefacts, art and over 15,000 photographs. There are also changing exhibitions of historical photographs and local art.

8. Local cafe culture

Barista making a coffee order at 61 Balo Cafe, Moree — Get amongst’s Moree’s vibrant cafe scene. (Credit: Destination NSW)

From relaxed country cafes to stylish modern eateries, Moree’s CBD has a surprisingly vibrant foodie scene. There are plenty of spots to choose from for a freshly brewed coffee, long lunch or tasty dinner, featuring menus showcasing local produce and loads of country charm.

If you’d rather dine in the great outdoors, grab a takeaway coffee or a picnic and head to leafy Jellicoe Park, a riverside oasis just a short walk from the centre of town. Pick a spot under the trees, enjoy the park’s art installations and keep watch for waterbirds along the river.

Start planning your Moree retreat at visitmoreeplains.com.au.

The 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.

Fun things to do in Batemans Bay

1. Enjoy a Clyde River Oyster Tasting Kayak Tour