Sand and Salt in Merimbula
The Shakedown Trip- Part Two
After the bustle of packing and the whir of that first long drive, Merimbula felt like an exhale. We’d rolled in from Eden, chasing the same coastline Cameron knew from childhood holidays. It was quieter thanks to a cooler winter, which softened the edges.
We parked up for four nights, long enough to stop feeling like visitors and start feeling like we belonged to the place's rhythm. Each morning we’d walk down to the beach, Zoe charging ahead with all the enthusiasm of someone discovering sand for the first time. By the afternoon, she’d be flat out on her bed, salt-crusted and satisfied.
Somewhere between long lunches and lazy coffee breaks, we hit our first hiccup—a flat tyre. Not exactly a dramatic one, but enough to make us realise that being self-sufficient wasn’t just a phrase people used in brochures. Neil had it sorted before I’d even found the jack handle.
Merimbula’s light seemed to change by the hour with blue mornings, golden afternoons, and a dusky calm that encourages you to linger outside a bit longer than you planned. We didn’t do much, not in the way travel brochures would measure it, but that was sort of the point. We walked, cooked simple meals, and got used to the sound of the wind sliding off the sea at night.
By the end of those few days, the moho felt less like a novelty and more like home. The cupboards weren’t bursting anymore, the routines made sense, and Zoe had claimed the passenger seat for good.
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Merimbula
A familiar coastline with a slower pace. Merimbula gave us time to breathe, wander, and remember why we started this trip in the first place.
How to Get There
From Eden, continue north along the Princes Highway (A1) for about 25 minutes. Merimbula sits between Pambula and Tura Beach, an easy and scenic drive along the Sapphire Coast.
Tours and Access
What we did:
Stayed four nights by the water, easing into motorhome life.
Sampled local oysters fresh from the growers.
Took daily walks along Main Beach and the boardwalk.
Fixed our first flat tyre — a rite of passage.
Other highlights you might explore:
Take the short drive to Tathra or Pambula Beach.
Visit the Merimbula Aquarium and Wharf.
Browse the weekend markets for local crafts and produce.
Best Time to Visit
Merimbula is beautiful year-round. Winter offers calm days and bright light, perfect for walks and quiet stays. Summer brings more buzz, with beaches busy and the water warm enough for a dip.
Final Reflections
Merimbula slowed us right down. It was the first place we stopped long enough to notice how life on the road rearranges your sense of time. It’s less about what’s next, more about where you are.
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Fast Facts
Location: Merimbula, NSW
Distance: Eden to Merimbula – 25 km
Traditional Owners: Djiringanj people of the Yuin Nation
Access: Sealed roads via the Princes Highway
Facilities: Caravan parks, fuel, supermarkets, cafes
Walking Track: Merimbula Boardwalk, Main Beach foreshore
Dog Friendly: Some beaches permit dogs (check signage)
Best Time to Visit: Year-round, especially spring and winter for quiet stays
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