6 November 2020

Most loved South Coast beaches: Which is your favourite?

| Amy M
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best south coast beaches

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s almost time for Canberrans to make their annual exodus to the South Coast for a good dose of sun, sea and greasy takeaway.

For those new to the Canberra, it’s a strange phenomenon. Tens of thousands of Canberrans drive two-and-a-half hours to “get away from it all”, only to spend three weeks running into their boss, next door neighbour and best friend from high school every time they duck to the shops for milk. We’re an odd (but loveable) bunch.

Whether you’re new to the south coast or looking for some recommendations for your next trip away, here’s a quick guide to some of the South Coast’s most loved beaches. I’m a fan of Mollymook, Broulee and Tuross Head, and pretty much anywhere that isn’t on Beach Road in Bateman’s Bay during peak season (I like a quiet beach and a nice place to read a book).

Kid friendly

Bateman’s Bay has plenty of beaches with small, safe waves that are good for families, and with waves averaging less than 0.5 metres, Casey’s Beach is about as kid friendly as the South Coast gets. There’s also Maloney’s Beach, which has shallow waters, sheltered surf, nearby rock pools and far fewer people than you’ll find at other beaches in the area.

Surfing

Malua Bay

I’m not much of a surfer, so I asked Ivan Slavich and son Andrew (he’s the surfer in the first photo accompanying this article) about their favourite south coast surfing spot. Their answer: McKenzies Beach at Malua Bay.

“McKenzies Beach has nice waves that roll in from the Tasman, they are consistent and regular and good for all levels of surfing. It is a great place to learn to surf and for the advanced on a big day it is just spectacular,” Andrew said.

Ivan, who took the above photo of Malua Bay from his balcony during a trip this weekend, added: “McKenzies Beach is great for swimmers and is always packed with Canberrans in the summer, which is always great from a social perspective. There is nearly always a game of soccer, cricket or volleyball being played and everyone is always friendly and courteous. It would be good for the Eurobodalla Shire Council to consider installing a toilet block and providing more parking spots.”

For beginners looking to learn how to surf or stand up paddle, Broulee Surf School at North Broulee Beach also comes highly recommended.

Where to go when the crowds get too much

Try the main beach at Tuross Head, Maloney’s Beach or Narrawallee Beach.

Patrolled beaches

Malua Bay, Surf Beach, Broulee South, Tuross, Narooma Main, Dalmeny, Shoalhaven Heads, Crookhaven Heads Beach, Tilbury Cove, Warrain Beach, Cudmirrah/Berrara (Sussex Inlet), Narrawallee Beach (Surfers Avenue) and North Mollymook Beach (Beach Road) will be patrolled from 9am to 5pm until 27 January 2015. Moruya South Head will be patrolled from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Which South Coast beach will you be visiting this holiday season?

If you’re looking for more on the South Coast, check out our articles on the best hotels and resorts, the best restaurants and bars and the best beaches the South Coast has to offer, or read 10 things to do on the NSW South Coast.

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Two favourites: there’s the one on the far south coast that is reached by a dirt road and fronted by only three properties, and you only ever see the owners on it (who get the shits when they see interlopers on “their” beach); and there’s the one that is backed by national park and has an old abandoned squatter’s shack on it right on the cliff, where you can sleep, where there’s a track down to another beach fronted only by a handful of big bush properties. And no, I ain’t telling!

watto23 said :

Well I thought it would be quieter up in the snowy mountains last xmas. The place was choc full of people, I bet all those giving good beach tips were up in the mountains enjoying the much more pleasant weather!

And the plague levels of flies!

We enjoy the comparative remoteness, freedom and solitude of the region’s small number of official and unofficial clothing optional beaches, like Myrtle (unofficial) just south of South Durras and Armands (official), south of Bermagui. Go with company and be respectful of others. None are patrolled, so assess conditions carefully and enter the water at your risk.

Madam Cholet12:52 pm 23 Dec 14

Merimbula’s main beach is great – usually pretty free of people. But Bar Beach at Merimbula is fabulous. The best beach kiosk ever and a great spot for kids to just paddle about. It’s so beautiful and the people are wonderfully friendly, great atmosphere. Only downside is that it gets very crowded at the weekends and school hols and you never know if you will be able to turn your car around on the really narrow, steep road (if you get a park). Worth it though.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/BAR-BEACH-KIOSK-Merimbula/108806495807746

Well I thought it would be quieter up in the snowy mountains last xmas. The place was choc full of people, I bet all those giving good beach tips were up in the mountains enjoying the much more pleasant weather!

JimCharles said :

I was told that if you ask a Canberran to name their favourite beach, they will definitely lie to you because they don’t want to see you there one day.

I tend to go further South, less people.

Yep…..just keep going to Batemans Bay people, there is nothing south of Mogo. Move along now. … nothing to see here!

JimCharles said :

I was told that if you ask a Canberran to name their favourite beach, they will definitely lie to you because they don’t want to see you there one day.

I tend to go further South, less people.

I agree, once you get an hours south of Batemans Bay the crowds thin out considerably. I like Narooma. Decent sized town with plenty to do and a good patrolled beach.

Amy Birchall10:58 pm 22 Dec 14

JimCharles said :

I was told that if you ask a Canberran to name their favourite beach, they will definitely lie to you because they don’t want to see you there one day.

I tend to go further South, less people.

Ha, I haven’t heard that one before. I guarantee that the above recommendations are honest!

I was told that if you ask a Canberran to name their favourite beach, they will definitely lie to you because they don’t want to see you there one day.

I tend to go further South, less people.

I guess everybody’s already left…
I like Mollymook. It’s got reasonable surf, is mostly rip-free and has a really decent takeaway right on the beach. The lifeguards won’t lend you a screwdriver if your stupid giant umbrella breaks though. You’ll just have to lug it back to your motel looking like an idiot because you can’t get it to fold up.

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