LAKES COAST VISITOR GUIDE | PAGE 117 MERIMBULA So much to do in marvellous Merimbula Winter is an excellent time to visit Merimbula, with generally lower accommodation rates, calm sunny days, crisp nights, and two fun, annual festivals in early June. Beaches and bushland Merimbula's Main Beach has five kilometres of pristine blue ocean where you can surf, swim, fish or stroll. It's perfect for families, and even has an off-leash area for the family dog. The beach backs onto a beautiful bush reserve where heathland and forest provide habitat for native animals, with numerous walks available through coastal bushland. The beach is bordered by Ford Park at its northern end, which is home to monthly markets (see later in this article), and an excellent accessible playground, amenities and barbecue area. Walking opportunities in Merimbula range from short walks around the town, to walks through the coastal bushland from beach-tobeach. Some of Australia's most significant national parks are nearby, offering a range of nature experiences that attract visitors from all over the world. Local history Explorers George Bass and Matthew Flinders came ashore in the Merimbula area in 1797 becoming the first of many visitors to be taken by the beauty of waterways and forests. With evidence of a large number of shell middens either side of Merimbula lake, it is obvious that the oysters – which are a popular and profitable industry today – were also a delicious part of the diets of the First Nations inhabitants who called the region their home before European settlement. Popular peninsula One of Merimbula's most popular spots is the Fishpen Peninsula, a little finger of land opposite the town centre, tucked in between the lake and Merimbula's Main Beach.Wonderful steel pelican sculptures, positioned on tall bollards in the water, are dotted around the lake. See page 114 for more information on the Fishpen. Walk this way Other walks in Merimbula include the Lake Street Shared Pathway from Rotary Park to the family-friendly Bar Beach. This 1.3-kilometre elevated walkway is wide enough to accommodate prams, dogs, bicycles and wheelchairs, and offers views of Merimbula Lake and Main Beach. Starting at Rotary Park (located at the corner of Main and Cliff Streets), the path winds along Lake Street, ending at Bar Beach, one of Merimbula's smallest and prettiest beaches. Seaside market Held at Ford Park, Merimbula, on the third Sunday of each month, Merimbula Seaside Markets feature a colourful array of craft, fashion, curios and fresh, organic produce from local growers – ranging from fruit and vegetables, to free-range poultry and eggs. The market also features food vans offering an array of delicious treats, from coffee, donuts and Dutch pancakes, to noodles and burgers. One long weekend, two big festivals! Two popular annual festivals – the Merimbula Jazz Festival, and the WinterSun Festival – are happening in Merimbula this June long weekend... Merimbula Jazz Festival – The Merimbula Jazz Festival brings musicians together on the Sapphire Coast to play jazz and connect with new and long-term friends who share a love of jazz. This year's festival – the 43rd in the festival's history – will be happening at various Merimbula venues over the long weekend from 6-9 June 2025. For a full Merimbula Jazz Festival program, ticket information and more, go to the festival website at merimbulajazz.org.au WinterSun Festival – The WinterSun Festival is an annual winter celebration of the town's connection to the water that surrounds it. Also staged in Merimbula over the June long weekend, celebrations include cold-water swims, a Wharf to Wharf Challenge for hikers and trail runners, and a fun street party – featuring live music and more. Organisers say WinterSun is also a "celebration of delicious local food, brews, music, outdoor sports and adventure," they said. For more information and a full schedule of WinterSun events and activities, go to wintersunfest.com.au Find out more To find out more about this fun seaside town, go to visitnsw.com and search 'Merimbula', or drop into the Visitor Information Centre at 7/29 Market Street, or call the Centre on 1800 150 457. Main Beach, Merimbula. Wonderful pelican sculptures at Merimbula’s Fishpen Peninsula.
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