Batemans Bay

Bateman’s Bay is sometimes seen as the weekend playground for us canberrans because it is the closest bit of coastline for us.

The town itself does not have beautiful beaches but it is quite quaint and has traditions like the boatshed fish and chip shop. There are some other restaurants along the bay, with food that generally isn’t spectacular, but it can be nice sitting by the water at night watching the reflections. The pelicans are also quite cute :P

It is situation on the Clyde river, which the big bridge into town takes you over.

From here if you drive 20-30 mins north or south you can get to some national parks on the beach as beatiful as you’ll get anywhere, and if it’s not at peak times can be quiet enough that you get the beach to yourself. Murramarang national park, then ulladulla are to the north, and to the south is barling’s beach, guerilla bay, rosedale, tomakin, broulee and other nice beaches (not necessarily in that order). A little inland from that is Mogo which has a small zoo and craft and cafe type places. The coastline is getting more and more people with more and more holiday houses, but in another way life hasn’t changed much in the 20 years or so that I have been going there.

A little closer is cullendulla reserve, which is about a half an hour walk from town if you go over the bridge and take a right.

While it is a bit colder and less tropical than the great barrier reef, there is nevertheless some good scuba diving in the area, particularly if you like grey nurse sharks.

And a word of warning for those having fish and chips by the water. DO NOT FEED THE SEAGULLS!

beautiful!