Tathra

Beaches & waterways

Kianinny is a protected bay which is excellent for swimming and snorkelling – you are likely to see stingrays in the clear water. Swimmers and surfers have Tathra Beach as well as a swag of beaches in Mimosa Rocks National Park, Bournda National Park and Merimbula to choose from. The mouth of the Bega River at the northern end of Tathra Beach is popular for swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Coastlife Adventures do lessons and kayak tours.

Stand-up paddleboarding, Tathra Beach

Things to do

Tathra is overflowing with activities in beautiful surroundings. The Tathra Headland Walk links the Tathra Wharf with the heritage-listed and recently renovated Tathra Hotel. The walk has viewing platforms that are perfect for whale watching – between May and November – and for views up to the coast. For longer walks, take the track from the village down to the mouth of the Bega River, the new walking and cycling track from Kalaru to Tathra and the popular Kangarutha Walking Track linking Bournda National Park with Tathra’s Kianinny Bay.

View of the heritage-listed Tathra Wharf, Tathra

Mountain biking is popular in the area with a network of tracks catering for all from beginners to experts. The more adventurous can compete in the Tathra Beach and Bike MTB Enduro over the June long weekend. You can hire bikes, fishing gear from Tathra Beach and Bike. Golfers will have kangaroos for spectators at the Tathra Beach Country Club, with other courses to play in Bega, Tura Beach and Pambula.

Family enjoying Bundalung Trail, Tathra

Eat, drink & stay

Oysters are on the menu with the award-winning Tathra Oysters grown at Nelson Lake in Mimosa Rocks National Park. Buy them directly from the owners or order them at the Tathra Hotel or the popular Fat Tony’s restaurant. For that morning coffee or breakfast, there are plenty of options including Wild Orchid, Blend Providore or The Gap.

Oysters at Tathra Hotel, Tathra

There is a good range of places to stay to suit all budgets including resorts, motels, apartments, B&Bs and numerous holiday parks, such as Tathra Beachside and Kalaru Holiday Park. If getting away from it is your style, there are campgrounds in the spectacular Mimosa Rocks National Park, the bushland-fringed Tathra Beach Eco Camp and the secluded Kianinny Bush Cottages.

Tathra Beach Eco Camp, Tathra - Credit: Sandra Juffermans

Getting there

Tathra is a 6hr drive from Sydney, seven hours from Melbourne and three hours from Canberra. You can also fly to Merimbula Airport with Regional Express and Qantas and rent a car for the scenic 20min drive north.