Things to do in Narooma

The general rule is that the further you go down the coast from Sydney, the quieter the main towns become.

People don’t want to drive too far from the city and anything over about four hours is a bit too long for a weekend break. Fewer visitors means less development… which means more coastal charm.

While Narooma fits this description in many respects, it has one important difference – its dining scene!

Already famous for its seafood (particularly the oysters, yum!), Narooma has seen an explosion in recent years of new and rejuvenated places to eat and drink, mainly because the small town is a popular getaway for the owner of Merivale, the hospitality company that runs more than 70 venues in Sydney.

Although some of that Sydney sizzle has come to Narooma, the venues here are thankfully still laidback and coastal, cool and casual. They have definitely added to the atmosphere rather than changed it.

And there were already plenty of fantastic things to do in Narooma, spanning from the water to the hinterland.

The spectacular marine environment offers some of the best activities, particularly if you take a trip out to Montague Island to swim with the seals or see some of the other wildlife.

At the right time of year, you can do whale watching, and the water is perfect for kayaking closer to land.

Along the shore, there are some beautiful beaches for swimming or surfing, while a bicycle path along the coast goes for 21 kilometres with some spectacular views.

There’s a bit of history to discover, and overlooking the town is the imposing Mount Gulaga, with a spiritual energy that you can learn more about with a tour or just a bush walk.

Before I go into detail about all the sights, I would suggest these options as the top things to do in Narooma:

• Swim with the seals at Montague Island: This takes half a day, but is definitely worth it.
• Pose for a photo at Australia Rock: It doesn’t take long, so why not?
• Cycle along the coastal path: A fun option for something a bit more active.
• Eat some oysters: Or just eat anything, to be honest, because the food is so good here!

But, of course, there’s much more than that.

Quiet and laidback, with touches of barefoot luxury, Narooma is the perfect place to relax for a week or just spend a night as a stop on a road trip.

To help you plan, let’s have a look at my tips for what to do in Narooma.

The coast

The sparkling coastline is a highlight of the region, so of course many of the best things to do in Narooma are found along it.

Whether it’s a swim, a walk, a bike ride, or just a viewpoint, you can’t go wrong with these suggestions.

Beaches

Just try staying away from the water here in summer! The beaches are so enticing, many visitors will spend the whole day on the sand. But it’s worth knowing that there are several beaches in Narooma and they each offer something a bit different.

One of the most popular is Bar Beach South, which is sheltered by the breakwater so provides a calm and safe swimming area for families, especially with its picnic areas.

On the other hand, Bar Beach North is on the other side of the breakwater and gets plenty of waves. You’ll find lots of swimmers and surfers here – as well as dogs, because it’s an off-leash beach.

As the name suggests, Surf Beach, is Narooma’s main surf spot and has some pretty impressive waves. Also known as Narooma Beach, it’s patrolled in summer and is also good for a swim, with a beautiful backdrop.

For a less crowded stretch, you could head to Kianga Beach, just three minutes’ drive north from the Bar Beach car park. The golden stretch of sand is picturesque and you’ll find lots of space. But it’s not normally patrolled and can get rough, so keep that in mind.

Australia Rock

You shouldn’t need me to tell you how Australia Rock got its name. Just take a look at its shape and it should be obvious.

Presumably it’s just coincidence rather than the work of any particularly sculptor, but the hole in the rock certainly looks like Australia from the right angle (without Tasmania, sorry).

It’s a popular spot for photos, especially considering it’s very easy to walk to from the centre of town.

From near here, you can also climb up a steep staircase to the Bar Rock Lookout, where you’ll get a spectacular view of the breakwalls, the ocean, and even out to Montague Island.

Also, check out the edge of the water around Australia Rock and you are likely to spot some sunbaking seals!

The fur seals are protected so make sure you don’t get too close. They are generally pretty comfortable with humans, so you should be safe as long as you behave.

Glasshouse Rocks

At the southern end of the Surf Beach, towers of stone rise up from the sand and the water. Known as Glasshouse Rocks, they are one of the most striking nature landmarks on the NSW South Coast.

The formations are about 440 million years old (yikes!) but have been eroded over the years by the wind and water to create the shapes you see today.

As well as being visually impressive (and the inspiration for many local artworks), they are also significant for the information they hold about the region’s geological history.

And Glasshouse Rocks are also an important part of the cultural landscape for the local Indigenous people, the Yuin, who believe they have a spiritual connection.

Coastal path

If you are looking for something a bit active and you like nice scenery, then I think the coastline cycling route to Dalmeny is one of the best things to do in Narooma.

It starts at the Surf Club in Narooma, crossing over the bridge, going along the Mill Bay Boardwalk and then up the coast to the township of Dalmeny, where you can even continue on the trail inland to the Big Niles Brewing Co.

In total, it’s just over 10 kilometres in one direction, so about 21 kilometres if you do the whole path and back (although you don’t need to do it all).

Depending on how much time you have, I would suggest you stop at some of the beaches along the way for a swim, and maybe for a coffee or a meal in Dalmeny.

Or if you want to get those legs pumping, just go all the way there and back non-stop – you could do that easily in less than two hours.

If you don’t have your own one, you can hire a bike here, where you’ll also get lots of info about the best routes.

On the water

Don’t just limit your time to the land along the coast, there are also plenty of things to do in Narooma that will take you onto the ocean or the expansive Wagonga Inlet on the other side of town.

Narooma Marina

The main town of Narooma is surrounded by water on three sides. The ocean is to the east and on the west is the Wagonga Inlet, which is a large estuary that goes inland for about nine kilometres.

On this side of town is the Narooma Marina, where people keep their boats. For visitors, this is also where you can rent different types of watercraft and equipment.

A really simple option (that I would recommend) is hiring a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard. A kayak is $45 for the first hour and $25 for every hour after that (SUPs are a bit cheaper) and you can head up the inlet to find some beautiful scenery and peaceful spots to explore.

Another fun activity is cruising the Wagonga Inlet in a BBQ boat, which you can also hire here. With space for 12 people, an esky to keep drinks cold, and (of course) a barbecue, it’s a great way to spend a few hours.

Wagonga Princess Ferry

Perhaps you (or nobody in your group) wants the responsibility of actually driving the boat. Well, in that case, the Wagonga Princess Ferry could be for you.

This heritage boat was built in 1905 and is possibly the oldest operating commercial vessel in Australia. It can carry up to 34 passengers and runs regular trips on the quiet waters of the inlet.

Operated by Wagonga Inlet Cruises, there’s a two-hour cruise that normally leaves at 10:30 on Wednesday and Saturday that offers a mix of ecological and historical information. As well as the interesting narration from the guide, you’ll be able to spot some of the local birdlife.

Whale watching

From the serenity of the inlet to the (potentially) rough waters of the ocean, there are also cruises that will take you along the coast to look for whales!

The best whale watching season in Narooma is from September to mid-November when the humpback whales are heading south with the baby calves. Often they’ll rest in the area for weeks, feeding on krill and jellyfish.

Heading out on a whale watching tour will get you pretty close to these majestic animals as they play in the waters. You’re also likely to see dolphins and other marine life.

Montague Island

One of Narooma’s top attractions is actually seven kilometres off its coast. Montague Island, a relatively small piece of land, is packed full of heritage and wildlife experiences – including something really special.

Island visit

One way to see the island is with a visit onshore. Montague Island (also known as Barunguba) is only about two kilometres long and half a kilometre wide, but there are quite a few things to do.

One of the main focuses is seeing the wildlife, and you’ll be able to spot lots of Australian fur seals here (more on that in a moment). There is also lots of birdlife, including majestic white-bellied sea eagles.

A good way to see the island is along one of the marked paths. The Barunguba Montague Island walking track is the main one, and leads you around a 1.5-kilometre loop.

Unmissable is the key landmark on the island – the Montague Island Lighthouse, an impressive granite structure built in 1881 that you can visit… or you could even stay overnight at the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage!

Visits to Montague Island can be organised with one of the tour operators that I’ll mention below.

Swimming with seals

The best-known inhabitants of Montague Island are its fur seals, with hundreds of them making this the largest seal colony in New South Wales.

There are some here at any time of the year, sunbaking on the rocks or splashing around in the water. But the peak time is from winter and into early December when there may be more than a thousand!

A really special experience is to go swimming with the seals. After taking the boat out to Montague Island, you’ll put on a wetsuit and jump in the water, with the inquisitive animals often coming over to play.

There are a few local tour operators that offer this experience (with slightly different options) and the three operators I would recommend are:

• Narooma Charters
• Underwater Safaris
• Seal Swim Australia

Even though the number of seals starts to decrease each year from December, this is when the little pups start to arrive, so the early months of the year can be incredible if you get to swim with some of them (like I was lucky enough to do!)

Penguin tours

The seals may get most of the attention, but there is also a colony of little penguins here. There are more than 8000 pairs of penguins on Montague Island, although they often spend long periods at sea.

During the breeding and moulting seasons, there’s plenty of penguin activity on the island and it can be a good time to do a tour to see them.

Most of the tour operators come out in the early evening because that’s when they’re most active, and an illuminated observation platform gives you a good view of their routine.

Heritage

While it’s the water and the natural surrounds that bring many people to Narooma, there’s also some significant heritage that has shaped the way the town looks today.

In the 1860s, the Wagonga Inlet was a port supplying the Dromedary and Nerrigundah goldfields, for instance. And when sawmilling became the primary industry in the area, there was a lot of infrastructure in town until the sawmills closed in the mid-1950s.

As you explore the town, look out for some of these Narooma sights that tell some of this story.

Narooma Lighthouse

Attached to the Narooma Visitor Centre (worth a visit for some local info) is the Narooma Lighthouse, which has now been turned into a museum.

The main attraction here is actually about a different lighthouse – the one on Montague Island – with its original light and optical apparatus on display. (It was used from 1881 to 1986.)

Many of the artefacts on display relate to the theme of ‘mainland to island’, connecting Narooma and Montague Island, as well as the original signal flags from the Narooma Pilot Station and some items salvaged from the wreck of the SS Bodalla.

Narooma Kinema

An iconic building worth seeing is the Narooma Kinema, one of the longest-running movie theatres in New South Wales.

Built in 1925 as a community hall, it’s been used for lots of different things over the years. The facade sports a colourful pink and yellow design in a striking Art Deco style, and it’s even been added to Australia’s National Heritage Register.

Inside, there’s a retro refreshment counter and seats in rich red fabric. It definitely feels like stepping back in time, with a large red curtain over the screen that you don’t see much these days.

The Narooma Kinema is still operating, so you can even pop in and catch a movie on a rainy day.

Mill Bay Boardwalk

If you take my earlier suggestions of a bike ride (or walk) along the coastal path, you’ll likely cross the Mill Bay Boardwalk anyway. But I wanted to make special mention of it here because of its heritage value.

The wooden boardwalk is about 350 metres long and leads to where Mitchell’s Mill once stood. But the Narooma Historical Society suggests a three-kilometre walk that stats from the visitor centre and ends at Apex Park.

Along the way, there are some interpretive signs explaining some of Narooma’s history. You’ll be able to the site of a former shipyard, the remains of several wharves used in the 1950s, and a cluster of heritage-listed boat sheds. 

Food and drink

As I mentioned at the start, the dining scene here has blossomed in recent years and I suspect some of your best Narooma activities will involve food!

There are lots of great places to eat and drink, but here are some of my top tips.

Oysters

When it comes to oysters in Australia, the NSW South Coast is one of the best growing regions – and Narooma is at the heart of it all.

Here, each of the three types of oysters grown in the state are locally farmed – Sydney rock oysters, Pacific oysters, and even the rare Angasi. It’s such a big industry that Narooma even has a whole oyster festival on the first weekend in May.

There are lots of places here to taste the local oysters and you’ll find them in most of the main restaurants. But for some dedicated spots, I would recommend the Oyster Farmers Daughter, right on the water.

Another couple of good options are Narooma Bridge Seafoods (which you’ll likely see on your way in or out of town), or Montague Oysters.

Restaurants

While most places to eat in Narooma are fairly casual, there is still a range on offer. You can get great takeaway by the water, or you can have some fairly upmarket meals at the top restaurants.

If you’ve got time, I would recommend having a few different types of meals, because it really is a part of what makes Narooma so cool at the moment.

• The Inlet: Great fish and chips and other seafood with a casual takeaway vibe.
• Salt: A cute cafe right on the water with some of the best coffee in Narooma.
• Lynch’s: If you prefer some pub food and a casual dining environment, then this is the best option in Narooma.
• Quarterdeck: This tiki-inspired bar is one of the highlights of Narooma, serving seafood, Latin American food, and some strong Caribbean cocktails!
• Queen Chow: An offshoot of the popular Cantonese restaurants in Sydney, there are excellent dishes like dim sum and salt and pepper squid, as well as some Narooma-specific offerings involving seafood. (Temporarily closed: last updated October 2024)

Even beyond these suggestions, I think you’ll see the influence that the Merivale venues have had on the quality of the whole town.

Winery and brewery

And for something a little different (especially if you’re spending more than a couple of nights in Narooma), there’s Tilba Valley Winery and Ale House.

Only about 15 minutes’ drive from town, this large venue is set on a gorgeous green hill overlooking a small lake and surrounded by eucalyptus.

As the name suggests, they make both beer and wine, so you can try some of the local produce. But the real appeal is the setting.

It’s pet-friendly and child-friendly and there’s often live music. In other words, it’s the perfect place for families and groups to come and hang for a few hours for drinks and a meal amongst the gorgeous South Coast landscape.

Around Narooma

Although there are plenty of things to do in Narooma without even needing to get in the car, you’ll find that a short drive opens up even more opportunities.

Especially if you’re staying more than just a night, I would recommend heading out to some of these nearby sights.

And even if you’re visiting Narooma for just a short stay, these suggestions will take you some of the gorgeous hinterland, proving Narooma is more than just the water.

Central Tilba

Just a 20-minute drive from Narooma, the twin villages of Tilba Tilba and Central Tilba offer a little slice of history, transporting you back to a 19th-century gold rush.

Although the rich volcanic soil here had already attracted colonial settlers to establish dairy farms, the villages really boomed in the late 1800s when gold was found here.

What you see today are many of the original (but restored) wooden buildings from that time along the main streets – shops, pubs, houses, and public buildings.

Both villages are worth visiting, although I think Central Tilba has a more cohesive heritage feel to it. Pop into the famous Tilba Dairy, grab a drink or a meal at the Dromedary Hotel, and try the fudge at the Central Tilba General Store.

Tilba Tilba feels more residential and doesn’t have the some kind of commercial main street. The focus here is more on the nature, with the beautifully landscaped Foxglove Gardens, as well as access trails to Mount Gulaga.

Mount Gulaga

For the region’s Indigenous people, the Yuin, the large mountain that rises up from the land holds an immense spiritual significance.

Mount Gulaga (previously called Mount Dromedary) is considered to be the source of the area’s creation because it looks like a woman’s pregnant belly.

“This is where our creation story begins,” elder Iris White explains to me. “Gulaga is our mother, and our mother nurtures us and embraces us. She carries eternity in our hearts.”

One way to learn about Mount Gulaga is with a cultural tour led by an Indigenous elder, which really helps give context to the nature around you.

You can also walk about Mount Gulaga yourself, up through eucalypt forests and temperate rainforest for stunning views across to the coast.

The hike is seven kilometres each way and will take at least a few hours. The trail starts from Tilba Tilba and is well marked once you start.

Bodalla

Heading north from Narooma, it’s only about 15 minutes’ drive to the small village of Bodalla, in the heart of the region’s dairy country.

The highlight here is the Bodalla Dairy Shed, a popular stop for people doing a road trip along the NSW South Coast. It offers a modern take on local dairy traditions, with live demonstrations of cheesemaking, as well as ice cream and yoghurt tastings.

The heritage village is worth a stroll and you’ll find some lovely heritage buildings that go back to the 19th century. Many of them are now used as galleries, boutique shops, and cafes.

From Bodalla, it’s also easy to access Eurobodalla National Park, with some gorgeous beaches and the 14-kilometre Bingi Dreaming walking track along the coast.