Looking for Merimbula specials usually means looking for the best time to go and the best things to do for little money. Merimbula is largely a tourist town, so most of what it offers is built around visitors, but a good deal of it costs nothing at all.
The things that make a trip cheaper here are the beaches, the walks, the wildlife and the shape of the year. We'll take them in turn.
When Merimbula is quieter
The town's calendar shows when it fills up. Three events draw crowds:
- The Jazz Festival, held on the Queen's Birthday weekend in early June.
- A week of golf at the Pambula Merimbula Golf Club, which attracts over 900 golfers during October.
- The Merimbula Classic windsurfing and kiteboarding festival, held in late November.
A much smaller Country Music Festival runs around the beginning of November at the Merimbula-Imlay Bowling Club. If you want to avoid festival crowds, steer clear of those dates. We'd suggest checking Visit NSW, the official state tourism site, before you book.
What the climate means for a budget trip
Merimbula has an oceanic climate, with mild to warm summers and cool, windy, drier winters. Average annual rainfall is about 770 millimetres. The winters and springs are relatively dry, and cold southerly air comes off Bass Strait, so the climate is closer to East Gippsland than to the rest of the NSW coast.
In practice, winter suits walkers, whale watchers and anyone happy to pack a jumper. Summer suits swimmers and surfers. Temperatures have ranged from 44 °C to -2 °C, so pack for the season.
Free and low-cost things to do
The beaches
Merimbula has six main beaches: Main Beach (also called Merimbula Beach), Mitchies Jetty, Bar Beach, Spencer Park Beach, Middle Beach and Short Point. Main Beach, Bar Beach and Short Point are considered the best for surfing, and Bar Beach is also commonly used for snorkelling. Middle Beach is better suited to fishing, and to whale watching in season. Our Merimbula activities and attractions page covers more.
Coastal walks and national parks
Merimbula is close to Bournda National Park, South East Forest National Park and the northern end of Beowa National Park. A coastal walk through Bournda National Park runs from Tathra to Tura Beach, just north of Merimbula, and takes in coastal scenery. Humpback whales are a big feature of the area, and southern right whales are seen less often.
Merimbula Point
Merimbula Point is of palaeontological significance and is regularly studied by the School of Earth Sciences at the Australian National University. Species such as Merimbulaspis and Pambulaspis have been found in its ancient sedimentary rocks.
Paid attractions worth a look
The Merimbula Wharf has an aquarium with 25 tanks of marine life, from sharks to shrimp. Magic Mountain, the town's own theme park, has a roller coaster and one of the best toboggan slopes in New South Wales. Potoroo Palace Wildlife Sanctuary is 10 kilometres west along the Princes Highway towards Bega, with native animals, some hands-on opportunities for children, and care for injured or orphaned wildlife. Families can find more ideas on our Merimbula holidays with kids page.
Tours and places to stay
Whale watching, fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and scuba diving are all on offer around Merimbula. Popular dives include the sponge gardens at Yellow Rock and the Empire Gladstone wreck off Haycock Point. Our Merimbula tours page is the place to start, and it's worth checking current prices with each operator.
Accommodation in the area includes motels, self-contained units and holiday houses for rent; our Merimbula accommodation page covers where to stay. Self-contained places let you cook for yourself, which is often the simplest way to keep costs down, and Merimbula is known for its locally produced oysters if you want one cheap treat.
Getting there without overspending
Merimbula has its own airport, with daily flights by QantasLink and Rex Airlines from Sydney and Melbourne. Flights from Sydney often stop in Moruya. By road, the town sits just off the Princes Highway, and the drive to Sydney or Melbourne takes between five and seven hours. Canberra is about three hours away. Road coaches also serve the town, and local commuter buses run six days a week. Driving or taking a coach can be the budget choice if you have the time. More background is on the Merimbula travel guide, and there is general information on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
When is Merimbula busiest?
Early June for the Jazz Festival, October for the golf week and late November for the Merimbula Classic. Those are the times to book early or avoid.
Are there free things to do in Merimbula?
Yes. The six main beaches, the Bournda National Park coastal walk from Tathra to Tura Beach and whale watching from the shore in season all cost nothing to enjoy.
Can you fly to Merimbula?
Yes. Merimbula Airport has daily QantasLink and Rex Airlines services from Sydney and Melbourne.