South Coast
At almost 400 kilometres, the South Coast is a beguiling stretch of coastline. The beauty of the region, the array of water activities (surfing in Mollymook, deep-sea fishing in Bermagui, kitesurfing and whalewatching in Merimbula) and wave of cool dining options make it a very tempting escape indeed. For golfers, an abundance of courses only amplifies the attraction. Our suggestion? Split the holiday in two; spend a few nights in Mollymook before heading south, with a pit stop in Narooma, to the Sapphire Coast, where the name speaks volumes.
PLAY
Mollymook GC (mollymookgolf.com.au) boasts two courses: 6225-metre 18-hole Hilltop, with soaring trees and attractive fairways, and nine-hole Beachside, with beach and ocean views.
Impressive panoramas also feature on the front nine at Narooma GC (naroomagolf.com.au); the cliff-top third with its full ocean-carry was made famous by Paul Hogan when he filmed a cigarette commercial there in the mid-1970s.
Once you hit Merimbula, the must-plays are Tura Beach Country Club (turabeachcountryclub.com.au), carved into the coastline by design masters Peter Thomson and Michael Wolveridge, and the 27 manicured, tree-lined holes at Pambula-Merimbula GC (merimbulagolf.com.au). Still not enough? Nearby Eden, Tathra Beach, Bega and Bermagui all have courses worthy of a crack.
STAY
In Mollymook, Bannisters Pavilion (hotel.qantas.com.au/bannisters) is the place to be – and be seen. This latest addition to the Bannisters empire is a glamorous 35-room escape that combines the best of city-style service with a boutique sensibility and beach vibe. Post-game, the rooftop pool (and bar) is the spot to unwind. At the Sapphire Coast end, Airbnb is your ticket to luxury; Sybella in Merimbula (qantas. com/airbnb) is an elegant fivebedroom lakefront home with all the trappings you could want, including a swimming pool and sweeping water views – and a spacious balcony from which to enjoy them.
EAT & DRINK
Eight years after Rick Stein opened his namesake restaurant at Bannisters, it still rules as the must-dine eatery of the region. Seafood is king here – order the warm shellfish starter and the ever-popular fish pie. Leave time, too, for an evening to taste the farmhouse menu at one-hatted St Isidore (stisidore.com.au) in Milton. In Merimbula, sample succulent oysters at Wheelers Seafood Restaurant (wheelers oysters.com.au) or tuck into juicy burgers at Dulcie’s Cottage (dulcies.com.au). For sensational sourdough and the necessary AM caffeine hit, head to Wild Rye’s Baking Co (wildryes.com.au) in Pambula.