Get a taste for rural life in the sleepy little village of Pambula: one of the less well-known destinations of the Sapphire Coast. Perfect for those who enjoy a laid-back and secluded holiday, Pambula is set back from the beach and surrounded by wetlands, forest and valley farmlands.
Explore Pambula by bike and follow the cycle track to the beach, just 2 kilometres (1 mile) away. Continue pedalling to reach the town of Merimbula, 4 kilometres (2 miles) away. If you’d rather travel by foot, simply walk along the beach all the way to Merimbula. The track along Pambula River is perfect for shorter walks. Amble through the coastal forest to the lookout over Severs Beach.
Go birdwatching at the Panboola Wetlands, an area of billabongs and floodplains that has been rehabilitated by local conservation groups. Walking and cycling paths lead past mirror-like waters and grasslands popular with kangaroos.
Curious kangaroos can also be found at the Pambula-Merimbula Golf Club, a 27-hole course overlooking the water. Avoiding the roos throughout your game provides an extra challenge.
Stroll down Monaro and Quondola Streets and imagine you have stepped back in time. The Town Hall, Court House, historic inns and grand residences were all built in the latter half of the 19th century. Dine on Thai food in the restaurant occupying the old house of Syms Covington, cabin boy and eventually assistant to Charles Darwin on his expedition on the Beagle.
Continue your culinary experiences in Pambula with a tour of an oyster farm. Learn to shuck an oyster and try super fresh shellfish dishes at the farm. Pambula’s three markets, held every second and fourth Sunday of the month, feature handicrafts and fashion made by locals, antiques and farmers’ produce.
To get to Pambula, drive southeast from Canberra for just under 3 hours. The village’s quiet and relaxed atmosphere is a bonus for those wanting to get away from the madding crowds.
