Escape the hustle and bustle of the city this winter and embark on an unforgettable gastronomic journey through the South Coast of New South Wales. Follow our ultimate winter guide through the Gourmet Coast Trail, indulge in culinary experiences, sip exquisite wines, and be charmed by stunning vistas.
Nestled on the South Coast of New South Wales and incorporating the best food across Eurobodalla and the Sapphire Coast, the Gourmet Coast Trail is brimming with tantalising treats from Batemans Bay to Eden.
The South Coast is a magical winter destination that offers a relaxed, nature-filled experience and is the perfect weekend getaway from Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne. With its mild temperatures, it is the ideal time to explore the stunning coastal scenery, national parks, and, of course, the abundance of local food artisans and producers that are putting the region on the map as a must-see foodie destination.
Hike along the picturesque trails or enjoy a leisurely stroll on the beach while admiring the beautiful ocean views. And when you’re ready for a break, indulge in the region’s delicious seafood cuisine, locally grown beef and fresh year-round produce. This food lover’s paradise has something to offer every palate, from farm-to-fork experiences to unique tastings and workshops. You won’t go home hungry.
1. Start the day with incredible coffee
The Gourmet Coast Trail is home to a burgeoning army of innovative roasters, baristas and coffee aficionados. There are so many places to find incredible brews to kick start your morning.
The Mossy Cafe in Mossy Point is the destination for long lazy breakfasts or a quick takeaway cup to go for anyone staying in the Broulee or Batemans Bay area. Chef Belinda’s vision is to showcase the best quality locally produced and sourced ingredients, with all fresh produce travelling less than 15 minutes from farms to the kitchen.
A ten-minute drive down to Moruya will take you to Alfresco Coffee Roasters, a delightful boutique roastery that’s sure to tickle your taste buds. Their team is committed to sourcing the finest beans, roasting them to perfection, and brewing award-winning coffee that’s not just delicious but ethically produced as well. Don’t forget to try out their signature blends, stock up on some freshly roasted beans, and perhaps pick up some loose-leaf teas to savour at home or share with your loved ones.
Moruya is also home to Guerrilla Roasters, a small batch specialty coffee roastery that supplies coffee lovers world-wide and cafes up and down the Gourmet Coast. Drop by their roastery for a cup of coffee or better yet, book a Coffee Experience to learn all about the art of coffee making. During the hosted experience, you’ll get to know everything about harvesting, coffee varieties, processing, commodity coffee vs. specialty coffee, roasting, and of course, coffee tasting!
Other notable cafes serving stellar speciality coffee and incredible bites to match include;
Pistachio and Salt of the Coast in Narooma, Eurolicious and Boneless Vegetarian Cafe in Bermagui, Toast Cafe in Pambula, The Wharf Local in Tathra and Sprout Eden.
2. Embrace an oyster odyssey
It’s not a trip to the NSW South Coast without tasting the freshest oysters you can dream of. The native Sydney Rock Oysters have been consistently judged the best in Australia. The flavour of our oysters varies in each estuary depending on the specific characteristics of that inlet. So, sampling these creamy delicacies from Narooma to Lake Wonboyn will give you different taste sensations at each location.
In the south, discover the rich history of oyster farming at Wonboyn Rock Oysters, where you can sample exceptional quality oysters and witness skilled shuckers preparing them right before your eyes.
If you are looking for a truly unique day out, indulge in an Oyster Tour at Broadwater Oysters in Pambula. This tide-to-table journey celebrates the native Sydney Rock Oyster, and guests can settle in at an outdoor picnic area with uninterrupted views over the glistening Pambula Lake.
Don’t miss Australia’s most highly awarded food product – yes, Tathra Oysters. They are sold at a little shop behind the grower’s house in Tathra. Tathra Oysters have won multiple awards and been judged Australia’s best on more than 33 separate occasions.
In the north, nestled on the scenic Wagonga Inlet, the Oyster Farmer’s Daughter boasts an unbeatable waterfront location just steps away from the Coxon family’s oyster lease. This family has been cultivating delicious Sydney Rock Oysters for over three decades, and now their daughter Tash, has transformed the humble oyster shed into a chic and trendy pop-up bar serving their oysters, great seafood dishes along with fresh juices, alcoholic beverages, and inventive cocktails that will leave you wanting more.
For a farm-to-plate oyster experience, you can’t go past Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar,
Wheeler’s is renowned for its exceptional seafood offerings and warm hospitality. From succulent oysters and plump prawns to mouth-watering fish and chips, every dish at Wheeler’s is crafted with a focus on quality, flavour, and creativity. Here you can take an oyster tour and finish off with mouth-watering oysters, local seafood and contemporary Australian cuisine.
Delight in a fabulous selection of oysters and local seafood, ethically sourced, carefully attended and lovingly prepared by Tidal’s Executive Chef Gavin Swalwell. He ensures that only the highest quality products will appear on your plate.
After a day of exploring, unwind at Kitty’s within Club Sapphire in Merimbula with a signature cocktail or local wine. Pair your drink with Merimbula Gourmet Oysters topped with Tosazu Dressing and Wasabi Pearls for an unforgettable bar and restaurant experience on the Gourmet Coast Trail.
3. Get hands on and meet your meat
Oysters are just the beginning. The region is home to award-winning beef, dairy, and fresh produce production. Visitors can enjoy hands-on farm visits that are perfect for couples or families who might love the chance to meet a cow.
If sampling your favourite meaty delicacies is more your style, check out Bayside Meats in Batemans Bay, serving a spectacular range of smallgoods made in house. They recently won the Australian Meat Industry Council award for producing the best boneless ham in Australia! While you’re there, buy some of the meat, sourced locally from all-natural grass-fed meats from local farmers.
You can buy your meat to take home at Deli on Perry, or from the SAGE Markets in Moruya. To see where your meat comes from, try a unique farm stay experience at Mogendoura Farm Stay, located just a short drive from Moruya. The farm boasts a beautiful herd of Belted Galloway cattle that are ethically raised and free-range on 100% grass. Another fantastic farm stay option is Mountain View Farm on the foothills of Gulaga, a beautifully restored ex-dairy farm with a rich history and stunning views over Gulaga and the rustic landscapes of Tilba Tilba and Central Tilba.
Discover paddock-to-plate experience at Millford Acres Farm in Tanja. This farm hosts food events featuring homegrown beef and organic micro market garden produce. Owners Megan and Tony are passionate about regenerative and ethical farming and offer artisanal food workshops like Cooking With Fire and passata making, and seafood foraging and cooking… Don’t miss their spectacular long lunch events showcasing the bounty grown and produced in the Bega Valley
4. Explore what nature has to offer
If you need a respite from wining and dining and feel like venturing into untamed terrains, the South Coast offers an abundance of rugged landscapes to explore. The coastal areas of Eurobodalla and Sapphire Coast boast shimmering shorelines and awe-inspiring natural wonders, making it a perfect destination for relaxation with a beachside BBQ featuring local delicacies or immersing yourself in activities like hiking and mountain biking on exhilarating trails surrounded by lush forests. With an array of exploration and adventure awaiting, you’ll surely build up an appetite for the region’s delectable culinary delights and beverage choices.
Winter is the perfect time to indulge your inner gourmand and go hunting for truffles. Gulaga Gold black Perigord truffles are harvested over a short, seven-week season mid-June to August, and visitors can get their hands dirty unearthing truffles as they experience the thrill of the hunt with trained truffle dogs. The hunt is completed with a tasting where you experience the splendid umami of these special delicacies.
For some of the most beautiful views of the Clyde River, enjoy the three-hour lunch cruise hop aboard the MV Escapade starting at The Boatshed at Batemans Bay. You will glide up the Clyde River, through the farmland and national park to Nelligen, enjoying The Boatshed’s famous fish and chips on the way, before returning to Batemans Bay.
But the adventure doesn’t end there. Join Lee-Anne of mbK for life for a fascinating beach tour in Mystery Bay and a hands-on learning experience harvesting and processing kelp and learning about its health benefits. Lee-Anne’s passion for sharing her expertise and adoration for this potent and flavoursome ingredient will leave you yearning for more. Don’t leave without purchasing some Mystery Bay Kelp cheese to take home, which won a gold award at the dairy industry awards and is infused with milk from Tilba Real Dairy.
Enjoy the views across the harbour to Gulaga or a stroll up to Bermagui Headland to take in the beautiful stretch of coast as you treat yourself at the Bermagui Gelati Clinic, where traditional Italian techniques are used to make the flavour filled gelati, all made with local ingredients.
Looking to explore the region in the comfort of a private car? Bermi & Beyond provides a fun and reliable transport service, allowing you to access and experience all that the beautiful coast has to offer. They can organise vehicles for larger groups and offer customised tours around Bermagui and anywhere on the Gourmet Coast Trail!
5. Learn something new
While enjoying your South Coast culinary exploration, you can create unforgettable memories while acquiring new expertise.
There are many options for gastronomic classes, with one standout being Kelly Eastwood’s renowned establishment, Eastwood’s Deli and Cooking School. With 14 years of experience as a chef on luxury yachts across the globe, owner Kelly Eastwood returned to Australia to pursue a new venture in television food production. Her unwavering passion for diverse international cuisine has led her back to Bermagui, much to the delight of both locals and visitors. Eastwood’s is a friendly foodie hub that hosts cooking lessons, caters for private events, and provides convenient and nutritious food for anyone and everyone who loves good food, through their online ordering system.
6. Try the local brews
Whether you have a fondness for locally crafted drinks, inventive distilled concoctions, or a desire for a superior libation alongside exquisite cuisine, brace yourself for some incredible distillers and brewers that are sure to impress.
First on our list is North of Eden Gin, an artisan distillery nestled in the hinterland of the Sapphire Coast. The distillery is renowned for its Oyster Shell Gin, which was named the Best Australian Gin of 2021. North of Eden Gin uses locally sourced botanicals, giving it a distinctive flavour that takes you on a journey through the region’s lush forests and pristine coastline. Visitors to the cellar door can enjoy a guided gin tasting experience or take part in a fun and informative gin-making class. The distillery is set in a gorgeous farm setting, so you can relax in the garden with a cocktail and enjoy some stunning country views.
For beer enthusiasts, Camel Rock Brewery at Wallaga Lake near Bermagui and The Drom at Central Tilba, offer an array of finely crafted brews that are sure to satisfy any palate. Both venues craft quality beer and cider on their premises and are family-friendly, Camel Rock’s beers are brewed from local hops from Bemboka, malts from Whitton, and other native ingredients like wattle-seed and pigface flowers. The brewery is known for its unique and creative brews, such as the Banana Split Stout and the Peach Melba Sour. The Drom also offers infused gins – all local infusions. Superb.
Breakfast Creek Vineyard is our newest winery. Located between Cobargo and Bermagui, the vines catch the cool morning mists. Their wines can be purchased in local bottle shops and hotels.
Last but not least, Mimosa Wines is a family-owned and operated vineyard, restaurant, wedding venue, and cellar door situated just south of Bermagui. Here is the place for a relaxed dining experience with a la carte lunch and a refined degustation menu for dinner. With its breathtaking deck, enjoy panoramic views of the vineyard and the Biamanga National Park.
7. Local produce anyone, anyone?
For an authentic community experience, don’t miss SAGE Farmers Market every Tuesday afternoon from 3pm at Riverside Park in Moruya. The market offers gourmet meals, handmade snacks, craft beer, fresh produce, and a festive atmosphere with lively music performances. Need a quick meal? Grab a baguette, cheese, pickles, and fresh salad and vegetables. Don’t forget to stock up on delicious food to take home on your road trip back from the Gourmet Coast. SAGE has twice won the ABC Delicious! magazine award for Best Farmers Market in Australia, so you will be sure to pick up some great gifts and supplies to cook a feast at home.
If you are a true lover of fresh fruit and vegetables and artisanal food, Bermagui Growers and Makers Market is the place for you. This weekly market features seasonal produce by renowned local growers and a wide range of prepared foods and meals by notable chefs and makers (October to April).
8. Bunker down for the night
Imagine the serene ambiance of an ancient shores, savouring oysters grown just metres away, beneath a sky adorned with countless stars. Awaken to the soothing melody of the ocean and the invigorating, unblemished sunrise. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a retreat with friends, or a family vacation, there are plenty of accommodation options that will make your stay comfortable and memorable.
From luxury tents nestled in national parks (Tanja Lagoon Camp), to historic hotel stays (Post & Rail B&B), on the shoreline Seaview Beach House, or Amooran Oceanside Apartments and Motel, farm stays (Mogendoura Farmstay) or luxe country holiday rentals (The Bower at Broulee), there is something for every taste and budget. Or immerse yourself in the Australian bush at Twin Peaks Tiny.
For some select accommodation, check out our new curated web listing page http://localhost/gourmet-coast-phase2-v1.3/stay/
Additionally, a wide array of gourmet, take-home meal options are available if you’re in the mood for exceptional cuisine. Mr Bold Catering Co provides a refined culinary experience, offering meals for you simply to reheat and elegant catering for any occasion or gathering. They meticulously source the freshest ingredients from trusted local suppliers and their own kitchen garden. Indulge in a delectable grazing platter featuring Tilba Cheese and fresh local produce or relish a sumptuous tasting menu while in the company of friends, with your own personal chef.
9. Get cosy and romantic
Surrender to the warm and cosy relaxation you’re craving and find a place that accommodates – in more ways than one.
The offerings at Dulcie’s are simple: delicious food, strong drinks, atmosphere, and great people. The short, well considered menu hasn’t changed for five years with good reason. With local producers they created the elements to make the perfect burger. The open fire creates the perfect cosy atmosphere indoors and the rustic wooden tables and paved gardens of Dulcie’s front yard have become the local touchstone that you are officially on holidays. Cuddle up with your friends and loved ones and unpack the day’s adventures under a blanket of stars.
In the fishing village of Bermagui, chef Nerine Hoek crafts flavoursome dishes with the abundant supply of fresh local mussels, oysters, and fish. Octopii is an intimate restaurant and a seafood lover’s haven. Seasonality and variety are of the utmost importance to Nerine, and she fills her kitchen with fresh produce from boutique growers around Bermagui.
The recently hatted Valentina Restaurant offers a “one of a kind” romantic dining experience. Sophisticated Mediterranean-influenced cuisine, from the ocean and hinterland served with views over the picturesque surrounds of Merimbula Lake. Make this the ultimate in romantic desitnations.
A cosy restaurant with outdoor dining and a cute arched window coffee servery, Eurolicious is the place to indulge in European specialties made right here. Owners Ollie and Svenja moved to Bermagui from Austria in 2018, bringing home-style European cookery to the Gourmet Coast. Open for breakfast, lunch and special dinner events – they invite you to “relax, eat your heart out, drink, dance and sing”.
10. Buy some local goodies for the trip home
After indulging your way along the Gourmet Coast Trail, it would be remiss not to stock up on some gastronomic treats. There are a wealth of unique stores offering a diverse array of mouth-watering delicacies.
Batemans Bay Nut Roasting, a family-operated enterprise with a 20-year legacy, specialises in producing top-notch roasted nuts carefully roasted in small batches to ensure optimal freshness and flavour. Options abound, including Wasabi and Australian Seaweed Macadamias, as well as the delightful Maple Toasted Pecans. Additionally, visitors can purchase their scrumptious nut butters, crafted from the finest ingredients, ideal for spreading on toast or incorporating into baking recipes.
Your foodie itinerary is not complete without a visit to the Cobargo General Store. It is a charming establishment that stocks an assortment of gourmet products. The store presents an array of artisanal breads, locally sourced cheeses, homemade jams and chutneys alongside distinctive gifts and homewares, making it the ideal destination to procure a memento of your journey. And treat yourself to a Cobargo Home Made Ice Cream for the trip home, lovingly crafted onsite and featuring seasonal flavours derived from local fruits, nuts, and honey, all gluten-free and devoid of artificial additives.
Other lust worthy food items to collect along the South Coast include Cracked Pepper Kitchen preserves, Bega Valley Eggs (obtained from various locations), award winning Bodalla Dairy ice cream and cheeses infused with unique Australian bush natives.
Il Passaggio Provodore is a pasta kitchen, deli & Italian Grocer. All fresh pasta for their restaurant (also named Il Passaggio) is made in-house and is available to buy daily. You can also find a range of Italian salami, fresh cheese, aged cheese, fresh local produce, salt, pomodoro, balsamic vinegars, antipasti and more. Finally Grandpa’s Garden Organics is your one-stop supermarket for certified organic fruit, vegetables, meat, and groceries. They specialise in certified organic products so you can be sure the food you eat is safe and the products you choose are both natural and sustainable. each presenting their own distinct assortment of delightful treats to take home.
If you’re looking for a relaxed and nature-filled experience, without the crowds, the Gourmet Coast Trail is certainly a fun – and delicious– option. To find out more about the Gourmet Coast Trail, visit
