DAY ONE
LUNCH: Oyster Farmers Daughter
Start your week with a tour on wheels. The crew at Southbound Escapes have e-bikes for hire, and the local know-how to help you find your way to the tastiest places in town. Narooma and Dalmeny are connected by bike paths, and you can even ride by the turquoise waters of the Wagonga Inlet to the pop-up cocktail and oyster bar, Oyster Farmers Daughter.
Tash and her team have set up a fun pop-up bar right next to her parents’ oyster shed, so you’ll get the freshest oysters along with prawns and fish and chips in a casual and friendly setting. Tash loves to experiment with cocktails and there’s an adventurous cocktail list for you to try. That probably means you won’t be riding your e-bike home. Luckily, Southbound Escapes can pick you and your bikes up, and return you to your accommodation.
DINNER: Party at your place
You’ve booked an amazing Air BNB with a view over the Wagonga Inlet or Dalmeny Beach, so you want spend some time there, right? But who wants to cook on their first night of holiday? You’re in luck because Mr Bold Catering is right here in Narooma.
To celebrate your first night on the Gourmet Coast, host a cocktail event or dinner party for your friends. Glam it up with Mr Bold Catering. They will craft a menu to complement the unique style of your event.
You can also stock up the larder of your group’s getaway house with a selection of Mr Bold Catering’s meals, available from their kitchen.
DAY TWO
BREAKFAST: Boneless Vegetarian Café
Rise and shine, you’re on the road to explore beautiful Bermagui today. Just 30 minutes south of Narooma, Bermagui has seen a food revolution recently, including the arrival of Boneless Vegetarian Café. Great coffee, food and hemp milkshakes served with a view over Horseshoe Bay to Gulaga mountain.
COOKING CLASS and LUNCH: Eastwood’s of Bermagui
It’s time to discover your inner chef with a customised cooking class with celebrity chef Kelly Eastwood. Kelly came to the Gourmet Coast as part of the River Cottage Australia TV series, and fell in love with the place. She set up a café in Bermagui, which turned into the kitchen that fed thousands of evacuees in the wake of the Black Summer fires – she’s a true food hero in the town.
Kelly’s cooking classes at the deli are loads of fun, drawing on her experience working for Master Chef and My Kitchen Rules. Eastwood’s can create a menu for you using local ingredients, or you can customise your own.
SWIM: THE BLUE POOL
If you’re in Bermagui, The Blue Pool is an essential stop. This iconic seapool is great for a quick dip or a long snorkel. It’s home to sea creatures of the friendly variety and you’ll find the braver locals there year-round. The viewing platform on the clifftops above the pool afford great views over the passing parade of humpback whales in spring.
CELLAR DOOR: Breakfast Creek Vineyard
Meet winemaker Lucy Wilson at her vineyard in Coolagolite, just outside Bermagui. This unpretentious cellar door is all about having a fun time with your friends. The cellar door is open on certain days only, but Lucy is more than happy to open for private groups. Whether you want a short tasting or a tour or a full vineyard picnic experience with hammocks, lounges and firepits, she can plan it for you.
Stock up for the rest of your week or for your home cellar.
DINNER: Camel Rock Brewery
It has been a big day, but it’s not over yet. There’s more fun to be had at the relaxed Camel Rock Brewery, Bar and Grill. Try a beer paddle of the local brews made in-house. The generously-sized, American-styled grill meals will fill you up to keep the party going. For some after-dinner exercise, try your hand at mini golf right next to the outdoor beer garden.
After that huge day your drivers from Southbound Escapes or Bermi & Beyond will take you home. There might even be singing on the way.
DAY THREE
BREAKFAST: Enjoy your view
After yesterday, you might want a slower start. And someone in your group is bound to be a great short order cook… How about some local farm-fresh eggs on sourdough?
Grandpa’s Garden sells fresh veggies and specialises in organic produce. Perfect for your holiday kitchen.
TOUR & LUNCH / DINNER: MONTAGUE ISLAND / WAGONGA INLET, SOUTHBOUND ESCAPES
Today’s the day you get onto the water for a feasting holiday to remember. If you want to make your insta account go off, this is how.
Southbound Escapes can organise lunch picnics for you in any spectacular location around Narooma, but why not ramp it up and head to Montague Island. Try a private boat charter to the lighthouse island, including swimming with seals, spotting penguins and touring the lighthouse – plus a styled picnic event for your group on board the boat. It’s an action-packed adventure with food by great local chefs and a team to do all the organising for you. You’ll really be spoiled.
Or you can take a leisurely cruise up the Wagonga Inlet on a private boat and land for one of Southbound Escape’s luxurious pop-up picnics. Drift from lunch into a sunset dinner to add a touch of romantic style to your group getaway.
DAY FOUR
TOUR: MYSTERY BAY KELP
This morning you get to be farmers of the sea and discover the superfood that is kelp. This private walking beach tour at gorgeous Mystery Bay will invigorate your senses and introduce you to the many tastes and culinary uses of this remarkable ingredient.
MORNING TEA: Tilba Real Dairy
After your beach tour, take a stroll down the arty main street of Central Tilba to the ABC Cheese Factory. There you can sample the award-winning savoury delight of cheese made with milk from Tilba Real Dairy and infused with Mystery Bay Kelp. Then enjoy a sweet morning boost of a rich milkshake made with the creamy jersey milk that Tilba Real Dairy is known for.
LUNCH: VIA LUNA
It’s a short hop to a short lunch in the garden of Via Luna Tiny Cookery in Cobargo. You’ll feel like the world has landed on your doorstop when you taste the flavours that Lena conjures up. Nourishing and flavoursome, these meals are inspired by street food from Lena’s global travels while starring local seasonal ingredients. Perfect for a quick break that will tantalise your tastebuds.
CLASS AND CELLAR DOOR: North of Eden Gin School
Another short hop down the Princes Highway, you’ll find Stony Creek Distillery. Book into a private gin masterclass with winners of major international awards Gavin and Karen of North of Eden Gin School.
Available for groups of four to six people, this three-hour masterclass will show you how to create your own gin recipe and then transform it into a full-sized bespoke bottle of gin to take home with you.
If you’re travelling on a weekend, the cellar door will be open and you won’t need a booking to meet Gavin and Karen and sample their incredible gins.
DINNER: THE DROMEDARY HOTEL
For a fun night out where you’re bound to meet lots of friendly locals, head back to Central Tilba for cocktail hour and dinner at The Dromedary Hotel. Start your night with a craft beer or specialty gin with local flavours, enjoy a filling pub dinner and soak up the lively atmosphere.
TRIP TIPS
DID WE FORGET THE COFFEE? SURE DIDN’T!
If you’re driving from Canberra or Sydney, drop into Guerilla Roasters in Moruya for a coffee or to stock your holiday larder with fresh-roasted beans. If you want to ensure the coffee making in your holiday home is up to scratch, book your group into a Coffee Experience in the Roastery. No excuses for a bad coffee on this getaway!
VISITING IN WINTER?
Gulaga Gold Truffiere runs private and shared truffle hunts throughout winter. Join in the fun of a hunt. You’ll be paired up with a truffle dog whose keen sense of smell will help you find truffle gold below the oak and hazel trees.
NEED SOME MORE ADRENALINE?
The Gourmet Coast is shaping up as an exciting mountain biking destination. Bring your bikes to try out some of the hand-made tracks around Narooma.
