Mogo, Maruya, Narooma, Central Tilba, Bermagui
Marking the beginning of the Eurobodalla Shire ten kilometres south of Batemans Bay, Mogo is one of several charming historical villages nestled throughout the regions countryside. This 1850's gold rush town is now a prolific arts and crafts centre, with an excellent zoo featuring exotic and endangered animals.
Further down the main highway is the dairy and fishing town of Moruya. Specialising in oyster farming on the Moruya River, the waterways are also utilised for pleasure, ideal for fishing and other watersports. Surfers and swimmers should try the unspoilt beaches beyond the southern bank of the rivers estuary, as well as on both sides of the Congo Headland at the nearby Eurobodalla National Park.
Another park worth visiting only twenty kilometres west of Maruya is the splendid Deua National Park. Known for it's diverse ecosystems, hikers trekking to Hanging Mountain or Mount Wanderer lookouts, will experience a wide range of flora and fauna not to mention some spectacular views.
Back on the main highway past the holiday spot of Tuross Heads is the fishing resort of Narooma. Serious anglers come from far and wide to this game fishing paradise, with black marlin, blue fin, and hammerhead sharks being the most sought after catches of the coast. For the less ambitious, smaller species are plentiful around the picturesque lakes and rocky inlets of the area. If fishing doesn't lure you, take a cruise to Montague Island. Ten kilometres of shore from Narooma, Montague Island Reserve is home to huge population of fur seals, crested terns and over ten thousand pairs of fairy penguins! Limited and expensive tours are conducted daily by national park wildlife officers, though most visitors agree that the thrill far outweighs the cost. The clear waters surrounding the island also attract divers, especially between February and June.
Hidden in the gentle foothills of Mount Dromedary just minutes south-west of Narooma, Central Tilba is a step back in time. Founded in 1895 and completed by the turn of the century, little has changed in this quaint historic village for over a hundred years. All two dozen or so timber buildings survive in their original condition thanks to a process of partial restoration initiated by the National Trust. Classified as "unusual mountain village", the sole non-timber building (due to health regulations) is the award winning ABC Cheese Factory, open for free tastings daily. Art and craft galleries, B&B's, tea rooms, a pub, and a general store fill the other unique residences in town.
Walks into the wilderness backdrop are best begun at Tilba Tilba, an even smaller settlement a few kilometres away. An enjoyable eleven kilometre trail begins at the general store, leading hikers through lyrebird habitats and tall eucalypt forests before ascending to the summit of Mount Dromedary. Known as Gulaga to the local Koori people, tours to the peak run by Umbarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, provide a more informative alternative. Tours include educational activities such as spear throwing and Dreaming stories.
Home to the Umbarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the pretty fishing village of Bermagui to the south is a mecca for angling in all forms- lake, estuary, deep sea and big-game. With a safe harbour and close proximity to the continental shelf, the town plays host to a number of tag and release game fishing tournaments throughout the year. Charters operating out of the harbour also offer a variety of diving and whale watching cruises. Along the rugged coastline there are some beautiful rock pools including Blue Pool, along with some great surf beaches and a fine walk which passes through wetlands reserve before ending at Wallaga Lake.
