Planning a trip to the Eurobodalla region? Here are our favourite things to do in Batemans Bay, Narooma and more.
0-4 year olds
Birdland Animal Park is the perfect place to get up close with native Aussie wildlife. Wombats, koalas, reptiles and birds are rescued and rehabilitated by dedicated keepers who are happy to share their knowledge with visitors. Have a cuddle or hand feed the animals, snap a photo and spend the rest of the day hanging out in the picnic areas and playground. The small sanctuary offers an intimate experience, not too overwhelming for young kids.
If you’ve got half a day to fill in, head to Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens. Kids can hang out in the playground and run around the grounds. There are plenty of shady spots for a picnic and barbecue facilities to cook up a storm. You’ll even spot the odd kangaroo grazing on the lawn.
Stretch the legs at Mill Bay Boardwalk on the northern side of Wagonga Inlet. It’s perfect for riding bikes or strolling along, spotting schools of fish and even a few stingrays. Keep walking until you hit Forsters Bay or head the other direction toward the Olympic Pool for a dip. Grab a coffee from a cafe along the way and take in the view from Bar Rock lookout. The boardwalk is wheelchair and pram friendly.
5-8 year olds
Mogo Zoo is home to endangered and exotic species, including the largest collection of primates in Australia. Kids will love seeing zebras, rhinos and giraffes wander around the Savannah plains. There’s also cheeky meerkats, Sumatran tigers, Red pandas and Snow leopards. Book in an ‘Up Close & Personal’ experience for a chance to feed and pat these impressive creatures. You can also adopt an animal! Sponsoring your favourite Mogo Zoo resident will help support conservation and breeding programs at the grassroots level.
Quota Park, locally known as Pirate Park, is a fantastic spots for a afternoon barbeque. The playground had been revamped and has plenty of picnic tables, grassy areas and awesome play equipment to keep kids entertained. The nearby Wagonga Inlet is a safe place for kids to take a dip and there’s even an ice creamery across the road.
Outdoor adventurers might want to head to Deua National Park and follow the trail to the Big Hole. The enormous crater is fun to skip rocks into but kids will want to stay a safe distance from the edge. On the way there, splash about in the Shoalhaven River (more of a creek, really), spot kangaroos and clamber over ancient rock formations. It’s a 3.5km (around 2 hours) but it’s worth stopping off for a picnic under the shady eucalyptus trees.
9-12 year olds
On a sunny day, there’s nothing better than hitting the cycle paths and exploring the South Coast on two wheels. Batemans Bay Cycleway is an awesome track for kids as it’s mostly flat and has plenty of things to stop and see along the way. Starting at Corrigans Beach, take the 18km return journey to Cullendulla Boardwalk, passing wetlands, jetties and the Birdland Animal Park.
Try your luck at The Original Gold Rush Colony in Mogo State Forest. Take a tour of the theme park, pan for real gold and even stay the night in one of the 1850’s-style bunkhouses. It’s a fun (and secretly educational) way to relive the Gold Rush days. There’s also an outdoor maze, bird watching tours, stargazing and family photo shoots where you can dress up in clothing from the Gold Rush era or get your face on a wanted poster.
Families who are keen to get out on the water can jump in a sea kayak or join a tour. There are plenty of places to rent equipment in Eurobodalla including life vests and even packed picnic lunches. Adults double with younger kids, or stronger paddlers can grab a single kayak. Some great places to explore are the Clyde River, Lake Durras and Murramarang National Park.
Teens
Just off the coast of Narooma, Montague Island has some of the best snorkelling and diving experiences on offer. Teens can swim amongst fur seals and little penguins, as well as hundreds of species of fish, including marlin, tuna and kingfish. Dry off and head up to the Montague Island Lighthouse for an awesome view over the ocean. You can even stay overnight in the Keeper’s Cottages and catch the sunrise along the spectacular Montague Island walking track.
Older kids might want to grab a stand up paddle board or SUP from one of the local surf schools. Join a group tour, have a lesson or head out on your own. There are plenty of safe and scenic places to paddle. We love Batemans Marine Park, Broulee Island Reserve and Lake Durras.
Batemans Bay Mini Golf is also worth a visit. The challenging course will bring out your competitive side but there are a range of holes to suit all skill levels. You even get your third round free! Just off the Princess Highway, Mini Golf is open 7 days a week year round.
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I was blessed with parents who really saw the value in travel. After our first family trip abroad to Thailand, I became obsessed. I was hungry for anything new and different. I yearned to be in the middle of a city on the other side of the world with a suitcase in one hand and google maps in the other, stumbling around trying to figure out where I was going; literally and spiritually.