Batemans Bay - It's More Than Just Great Boating!
The mere mention of the Eurobodalla Region of southern NSW conjures magical images of natural beauty. The lush forests and farmland of the Great Divide provide a mystical backdrop to a stunning coastline full of white sandy beaches, enchanting bays and inlets, inviting rivers, sweetwater estuaries, rugged coastal topography and the emerald beauty of the rich Tasman Sea of the Southern Pacific Ocean. It’s a region full of small rural hamlets, seaside fishing villages, and regional agri-centres that provide an indulgent array of experiences, no matter your interest.
The Majestic Clyde River
Coastal Batemans Bay is nestled in a sheltered harbour and fed by the majestic Clyde River as it meanders through its 100-mile catchment rising from the Budawang Range and National Park, then refreshed by numerous pristine mountain tributaries along its journey, aided by the Clyde River National Park. The twisting waterway widens and deepens as it nears the coast and forms a large estuary that is navigable for up to 30 kilometres from its mouth to the quaint township of Nelligen. This coastal estuary covers 1723 square kilometres with an average depth of three metres.
The Clyde is one of the last major naturally flowing rivers in eastern Australia that has not been dammed. Its coastal outlet allows a tidal range of up to 1.28 metres, and with no polluting industries or sewer outfall, this beautiful waterway has an honourable reputation as one of the cleanest rivers on this side of the country.
James Cook was the first European to sight, and hence name, Batemans Bay on 22 April 1770, although there is conjecture as to which fellow seafarer he was referring to in his dedication. The entrance wasn’t officially navigated until 1808 when a colonial ship, “Fly”, was forced inshore, avoiding bad weather, but then faced a conflict with the traditional custodians, the Walbunja people of the Yuin nation. This conflict resulted in three crew fatalities and an undocumented indigenous impact. Later in 1821, Robert Johnston explored the lower reaches of the Clyde River with “Snapper” Island, now a namesake to his vessel; however, the ensuing exploration in 1828 found a deserted stockyard and hut from former timber cutters and clearers. To the south, the Moruya River was initially declared the southern boundary of the Colony of New South Wales.
Batemans Bay's development blossomed in the 1860s and 1870s with regular shipping services. Oyster farming commenced in 1860, and by 1870, there was a fleet of 40 oyster boats. A sawmill was erected in 1870. The port and town were proclaimed in 1885. There was originally a ferry service across the Clyde until the opening of the trestle bridge was completed in 1956. In 2019, work began on a replacement concrete bridge with a clearance of 12 metres, which is still under construction but currently in use.
Eurobodalla South Coast, NSW Treasure
Batemans Bay is on the Princes Highway, 280 kilometres south of Sydney and 760 km from Melbourne. It is one of the closest coastal locations to Canberra, 151 km to the west via the Kings Highway. It is quite a large town and regional centre with a population of 11,294 at the 2016 census, with a larger urban area including Long Beach, Maloneys Beach and the coastal fringe southward to Rosedale, expanding the population to a permanent 16,485 in 2018. If you don’t want to drive, you can take a bus or fly into the regional airport.
Whilst once a haven for retirees, Batemans Bay has now developed its own economy, attracting growth from all ages and walks of life. Tourism has expanded the opportunities; however, traditional seafood, grazing, and forestry still thrive. The cleanliness of the bay and its estuary still makes it ideal for oyster farming; however, there is a declining commercial fishery forced out by Government environmental management and Marine Parks.
Batemans Bay offers an extremely attractive holiday destination not only for the ACT but also for those from greater Sydney. It is a longer but still one-day journey from Melbourne (a long day!). It is very attractive to those with trailer boats and is an ideal stopover for coastal vessels with a deep entrance and ripper marina. There are 30 kilometres of the navigable Clyde River and direct access to the magnificent fishing and diving opportunities from some of Australia’s most glorious coastline.
Batemans Bay is close to the Continental Shelf, and the influence of the East Australian Current brings a fantastic array of species to the temperate waters. In fact, the entire Eurobodalla coast from Durras in the north to the northern side of Wallaga Lake in the south features stunning waterways suitable for fishing, boating and plenty of other marine activities, plus a good range of facilities, support and accommodation options for every budget, family or group.
The region is generally quite well serviced with boat ramps in the middle of town, with perhaps the best for larger craft at the Hanging Rock Marine Facility, where you will also find the Marine Rescue NSW base. There are also nearby ramps, including Mosquito Bay boat ramp at Lilli Pilli, further south at Kingston Place and Mossy Point boat ramp facility and upriver at Nelligen. There are two ramps up the Moruya River, plus more options at Tuross Lake and Potato Point, Cresswick Cove and Mummaga Lake boat ramp facilities at Dalmeny. Further south, there are excellent facilities available at Narooma. To the north are the Cookies Beach and Lakeside Drive boat ramp at South Durras.
The entire Eurobodalla coast offers an abundance of beautiful bays, secluded coves, and naturally formed rock pools just waiting to be explored. Coves and bays usually provide calmer conditions, generally with more protection from ocean swells and winds, making them an ideal beach environment for families, swimming and snorkelling.
Batemans Bay Accommodation, Food and Entertainment
Batemans Bay is blessed with every kind of accommodation, from upmarket five-star luxury houses, Airbnb, units, flats, and holiday parks to simple caravan parks, camping grounds, and remote bush settings. Perhaps you would prefer a mooring in the marina or a secluded sweetwater cove. For an alternative, check out the farm stays, resorts, and luxurious bed and breakfasts.
The dining opportunities are sensational from simple take away menu’s to superb seafood providers, an abundance of bakeries, ice creameries, Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, surfside burgers, shake bars, deli’s, steak and tea houses, bar n grills, wood fired pizza, dog friendly cafes and restaurants, Indian, French, rustic, chic, waterfront and upmarket hatted cuisine. That’s not to mention the oyster sheds, pubs, breweries and vineyards.
Batemans Bay was dramatically affected by the devastating fires of December/January 2019/20, with all external links other than from the sea cut off. Both locals and tourists were forced to evacuate during their busiest holiday period, and many residents sheltered on local beaches as the fire peaked on New Year’s Eve. The fire destroyed many buildings and severely damaged the economy. It took quite some time for the services to open again to tourism, but the region is thankfully open for business and needs your support.
For family entertainment, the region is rich with country markets, bric-a-brac, pubs and entertainment, and numerous functions still accumulating funds for rebuilding after the devastating fires. It’s a very creative region with the arts, and its food presentation, particularly its rich dairy history embracing the cheese factories, ice creameries and a vast selection of cottage foods. You can’t miss lunch and a bevvy at the Dromedary Hotel at nearby Tilba Tilba, followed by a tour of the quaint tourist town. Perhaps a warm-hearted visit to the Mogo Wildlife Park and some knick-knack shopping for cottage crafts and art. Speaking of art, there are exhibition centres, galleries and markets galore throughout every town and village in the Eurobodalla.
Sport and Adventure
Adventure tours, fishing charters, whale watching, dive charters, skydiving, golf, 4x4 and off-road touring, specialised tours and indigenous workshops, mountain bike riding, road and trail bike adventures are all available. The Eurobodalla features some well-regarded golf courses, including the 27-hole championship course at Catalina Country Club. Alternatively, the Narooma Golf Course is set on one of the world’s most stunning coastlines and is regularly voted in the top 100 Australian golf courses. Then there’s the spectacular views over the lake and ocean in the double teed 9-hole course that provides for an exciting 18 holes of golf at the picturesque coastal village of Tuross Head.
Boating at Batemans Bay - Fishing/Diving/Everything!
Batemans Bay provides immensely popular ocean access for a great deal of oceanic boating, fishing, and diving. Plus, there are no height restrictions up to the marina and highway bridge for visiting yachts and larger craft.
The Tollgate Islands act as ancient sentinels at the entrance to the bay; however, there can be some quite treacherous conditions in the heavily tidal channels. Hence, understanding local conditions and weather forecasting is vital. We advise you to log in and out with Marine Rescue on Channel 16 on VHF (distress and calling channel) or Channel 88 (27.880 MHz) on a 27 MHz radio.
Batemans Marine Park
All mariners are strongly advised to make themselves aware of the extensive Batemans Marine Parks, which are bordered from the south side of Murunna Point at Wallaga Lake to Murramarang Beach near Bawley Point in the north.
The marine parks include "approximately 850 square kilometres, extending from the three-nautical-mile offshore limit of NSW waters to the mean high water mark and including all rivers, estuaries, bays, lagoons, inlets, and saline and brackish coastal lakes (excluding Nargal Lake). These include offshore islands, including the Tollgate Islands and Montague Island."
Fishing is always excellent around Batemans Bay, with all the options of river, estuary, surf, coastal, and offshore. The estuaries have extensive sand flats, deep running channels, weed beds, quiet backwaters, and plenty of accessible fishing structures. Target estuary species include bream, flathead, mulloway, tailor, Australian salmon, sand whiting, garfish, mullet, trevally, luderick and leatherjacket, with poddy mullet, bass yabbies (nippers), sandworm and beach worm available for live bait collection.
The waterways are also popular for safe swimming, kayaking, general boating, and watersports. There are also plenty of land-based fishing options and non-water-based activities, such as sightseeing around the riverside parks and boardwalks.
The region's beaches and break walls are extremely popular fishing platforms, particularly for Australian salmon, tailor, bream, and mulloway. Various shark species regularly maraud the baitfish schools in the heavily oxygenated water. The inshore reefs hold a similar range of fish, with populations of snapper, morwong, yellowtail kingfish, bonito, gummy, and school sharks, plus the occasional mako or whaler shark.
Batemans Bay and the entire Eurobodalla Coast are highly regarded for their offshore fishing options. While there’s plenty of action inshore of the Continental Shelf, particularly for the hard-fighting yellowtail kingfish, the potential for the large pelagics certainly increases with the water depth. Black, blue and striped marlin, short-billed spearfish, yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi and albacore are all serious target species from roughly November to June. In the winter months, the majestic southern bluefin tuna generally arrives well out of “the shelf” with mako, whaler, and tiger sharks almost all year round.
Deep dropping methods have become extremely popular for species from the abyss, including hapuka, blue eye trevalla, ling, and many other surprise catches, plus there’s also the opportunity for a broadbill swordfish.
Offshore fishermen would do well to touch base with the Batemans Bay Game Fishing Club for local advice and affiliation with the NSWGFA and GFAA. They strongly support tag-and-release fishing methods and run one major open tournament in January each year, the hotly contested Suzuki Tollgate Islands Classic.
The influence of the East Australian Current means whales are commonplace throughout their migratory seasons. The expected species include Humpbacks, southern right, Fin, Brydes, Sei, and Blue whales, with some, including orcas, coming right up close to boats, creating terrific experiences for man and beast. Peak seasons are from September to November as they head southward towards Antarctic waters and return northward again, chasing the krill throughout the winter months. Turtles occasionally traverse sandbars into the coastal lake systems to feed in the quiet waters.
The Batemans Bay Marina achieved the international “Gold Anchor” distinction for excellence and provides sheltered mooring within easy walking access to the central township attractions. The accreditation scheme awards customer-focused facilities through design, construction, facilities, services, fuel supply, slip/hardstand, and environmental practices.
There are moorings for vessels up to 33 metres with short- and long-term options for up to 130 craft. There’s 240v power and freshwater to all berths with options for Profender cushions and Dockmaster assistance. Marina staff conduct daily inspections of all moorings, and there’s electronic security access to the berths and CCTV always to ensure your vessel's security. The marina has pay-as-you-go fuel (premium unleaded and diesel), blackwater pump-out facilities and full vessel management opportunities, including detailing and mooring line maintenance.
Batemans Bay Marina also offers 20 spaces allocated to trailer storage up to a maximum of 10m (32ft). Also on-site are King Bros Marine offering complete boat servicing, repairs and maintenance as well as a range of slipway services including pressure washing, antifouling, polishing, paint refinishing, shipwright services and rigging. They also provide towing and barge services and a slipway that can hold up to five vessels at a time with a lift capacity of 25t and an overall length of 15m (50ft). There is parking available on-site for up to 95 cars and bike storage.
At the end of your voyage, you can freshen up in the toilets, showers and laundry, or perhaps catch up with the outside world with free on-site WiFi. A retail complex includes “JJ’s@The Marina” licensed restaurant, oyster bar and seafood supply, take-away, boat brokerage, financial planning, fishing charters, marine rescue and Roads and Maritime Services.
The Batemans Bay Sailing Club has an exciting programme for both racing and cruising enthusiasts, and they encourage new members regardless of skill level. The Clubhouse and boat storage facilities are situated at Hanging Rock Place, Batemans Bay, which is used as a base for its off-the-beach activities. Its keel boat activities are focused on the Batemans Bay Marina.
The Eurobodalla - More Than Just Water Sports
Should you ever tire of the marine activities around Batemans Bay and the Eurobodalla district, then perhaps you could venture out on one of the many and varied walks, treks, cultural tours, mountain bike adventures, canoe, kayak, and SUP explorations through the magnificent beaches, lakes, rivers, rocky headlands, and thick forests. Some of the more popular walks include the Gulaga (Mount Dromedary), the backdrop to Tilba and the ancestral origin of the Aboriginal Yuin people.
One of Eurobodalla's most significant Aboriginal and coastal walks is the Bingi Dreaming Track, south of Moruya. This coastal walk within the Eurobodalla National Park is of immense cultural significance to the traditional landowners. You can go it alone, but alternatively, tour guides from Minga Aboriginal Cultural Experiences introduce the significance of their culture and environment through traditional and educational treks, guides and workshops with components such as bush tucker, medicine, language and crafts like making fire and whistling up snakes.
Other inspiring walks to explore include the Mangrove walk, Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve, Myrtle and Dark Beach, Ancient Headlands Walk, Murramarang National Park, Banksia walk, Burrewarra Point, beautiful Broulee Island Nature Reserve, Corn Trail and Lake Brou to Potato Point.
The more adventurous may challenge the Bendethera Caves Walking Trek. It is only accessible by four wheel drive via Moruya and part of the Deua National Park; a stunning and rugged part of Eurobodalla. The walking trail itself is an eight-kilometre round trip with some dramatic terrain in its final stages. Appropriate headgear, footwear, and torches are essential if you decide to access the caves.
So what’s stopping you? Batemans Bay and the Eurobodalla district have something to please every family member and offer a great alternative lifestyle full of opportunity in one of the most climatic and environmentally beautiful destinations in our country, especially for boaties.
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