Bays and Backroads
The Shakedown Trip- Part Four
Leaving Bermagui, we took the coastal road north with the sea always half-glimpsed through the trees. The drive to Batemans Bay wasn’t long, but it gave us time to settle into the rhythm of travel — no rush, no big distances, just the hum of tyres and the promise of another bay ahead.
We wound our way past Narooma, stopping at a lookout where the water was so blue it didn’t look real. We stayed a bit too long, and morning tea turned into lunch before we knew it. Further along, Mystery Bay lived up to its name — quiet, beautiful, and just remote enough to make you feel like you’d earned it.
By the time we rolled into Batemans Bay, the late light was soft over the Clyde River and the air smelt faintly of salt and chips. We found a spot near the water and stayed longer than we planned. It was the kind of stay where not much happened, and that’s the whole point. A walk along the foreshore, a chat with other travellers, a sunset that made us forget what day it was.
We’d started to find our groove by now. With less fuss about routines, more trust in the road. The cupboards stayed shut, Zoe settled quicker, and even Neil stopped complaining about levelling ramps. We were beginning to travel more like locals and less like learners, which, after a few weeks on the move, felt like progress.
If you like stories from the bays and backroads, sign up for our travel dispatches here. We’ll keep you company on the next leg north.
Bermagui to Batemans Bay
A stretch of the New South Wales coast where every bend hides another beach, another café, and another reason to stay put a little longer.
How to Get There
Take the Princes Highway north from Bermagui through Narooma, Mystery Bay, and Moruya, following the coastline all the way to Batemans Bay. It’s about 130 kilometres and takes around two and a half hours if you’re not in a hurry — and you shouldn’t be. The road is sealed, scenic, and perfect for a motorhome.
Tours and Access
What we did:
Stopped at Narooma for dolphin spotting and a slow lunch.
Wandered along Mystery Bay and its quiet coves.
Camped near the Clyde River in Batemans Bay.
Spent lazy afternoons walking, chatting, and watching the light change.
Other highlights you might explore:
Take a river cruise or hire a kayak in Batemans Bay.
Visit the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens just inland.
Best Time to Visit
Autumn and spring are best, with calm weather and fewer crowds. Summers are lively, winters are peaceful, and the sea’s never far away either way.
Final Reflections
This stretch of coast taught us that travel doesn’t always need a destination. Sometimes it’s just the small things like the sound of waves through the motorhome window, a good feed of fish and chips, and a cool stretch of road that makes you forget what’s next.
What’s Nearby
From Batemans Bay, the road turns inland toward Canberra, where city errands and cooler nights wait on the horizon. It’s a shift from sand to gum trees, from sea breeze to frost on the windscreen — but that’s part of the journey.
If you’re following along with our shakedown trip, join our travel dispatches here to see where the road leads next.
Fast Facts
Location: South Coast, New South Wales
Distance: Bermagui to Batemans Bay – 130 km
Traditional Owners: Yuin People
Access: Sealed coastal highways via Princes Highway
Facilities: Campgrounds, cafés, groceries, fuel, dog-friendly beaches
Walking Track: Coastal walks at Mystery Bay and Batemans Bay foreshore
Dog Friendly: Yes, most beaches and parks
Best Time to Visit: Autumn or spring
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