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Stage 31 - Merimbula to Pambula Beach

Our arrival in Merimbula saw an end to the fine weather of the past week; for the next three days we had a succession of heavy thunderstorms, followed by a day of drizzle and then strong winds. We laid low and took advantage of the fact that Merimbula has become a highly developed tourist centre by doing some shopping and going to the cinema. Nonetheless, we both felt a bit down, partly due the weather, but partly because we were remembering Merimbula as it was 20 years ago when we used to come here for family holidays. With its beautiful lake setting and great beaches, Merimbula is rightly the capital of the Sapphire Coast. We still appreciate it a lot, but rapid development has made it a bustling modern town, the benefits of which come at the cost of some of its old charm.

New subdivision in Merimbula

The boardwalk around the top lake at Merimbula

Late afternoon on Merimbula Lake

Finally the forecast was better and it was time to move on. This stage was a very short one – a 5 km stroll down the broad sweeping curve of Merimbula Beach. In fact it was a tactical shift, as we needed to be in a position to cross the Pambula River at low tide early the next morning and we also needed to find the best place to swim our packs cross. We shared the beach with many of Merimbula's residents and their dogs, out for their morning constitutionals. The only difference between us was that they were coming and going - we were just going.

Looking back up Merimbula Beach

Like Tathra to the north, Pambula Beach has a superb setting on a north-facing headland overlooking a long stretch of golden beach. A walk through the Jiguma Nature Area on the headland offered a number of great lookout points back up Merimbula Beach and across the Pambula River mouth to Ben Boyd National Park. Here you can really appreciate why this part of the south coast is called The Sapphire Coast.

View from the Jiguma Nature Area Track

Chatting with a couple of local fishermen, we were recommended a good crossing point and returned to our cabin to enjoy the return of fine weather and the autumn sun with the resident mob of kangaroos and flock of wood ducks lazing in the park. Pambula Beach is more in the style of the coast that we love, and the clear sapphire water. golden sands and iron-rich maroon sandstone rocks helped snap us out of our melancholy.

..... from this sand spit

Pambula River mouth - the far beach on the right was our target .....

Another view from the Jigume Nature Area at Pambula Beach

Part of the Pambula wetlands

Wetland eucalypt

Local tourist park 'roo

Strange birdfellows - can you pick the fake duck?


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