The small beachside town of Tathra is packed with opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and take in the stunning scenery of the Sapphire Coast. Taste oysters grown in a pristine national park, fish off the historic steamer wharf, surf and sailboard the azure waters and explore the coastal hiking tracks.
Surrounded by fertile farming lands, Tathra was once a hub for coastal steamers’ shipping produce. A warehouse and wharf were built to accommodate the farmers’ needs in the 1800s and still stands today, one of the last of its kind in New South Wales. These days the Tathra Wharf is popular as a fishing spot and the former warehouses have been converted into a gallery and restaurant. Dive into the waters around the wharf to look for local rays and penguins.
Tathra’s white-sand beach has views over the rocky coastline to the steamer wharf and the Mimosa Rocks National Park. Wander along the 3-kilometer (2-mile) long beach, surf the waves and watch for dolphins and whales.
Kayak up the Bega River from its mouth on the Tathra Beach. Paddle to secluded lagoons and cool off with a refreshing swim. Tathra also has 50 kilometres (31 miles) of mountain biking tracks, including easier routes for new riders and obstacles for experienced mountain bikers.
Walking tracks around Tathra lead along the coast through forest and scrub to secluded beaches and lagoons. Mimosa Rocks National Park and Tathra Forest Wildlife Reserve are havens for water birds and all sorts of marsupials, from possums to potoroos to kangaroos. Camp in the wilderness and wake to the sound of songbirds at camping sites throughout Mimosa Rocks National Park.
Finish each day in Tathra with a sunset picnic on the headland. Pack your camera and cheese from nearby Bega and soak up the unforgettable scenery.
Tathra is located on the Sapphire Coast, less than 3 hours from Canberra by car.
