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Merimbula
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The pretty township of
MERIMBULA
attracts a lot of holiday-makers from Victoria because of its accessibility, year-round temperate climate and good beaches. Between tanning sessions, you can cruise Merimbula Lake (actually the wide mouth of the Merimbula River) and Pambula Lake with several different companies for around $20 for two hours: Sinbad Cruises (book at the tourist centre) are recommended for their interesting commentary on Aboriginal history and oyster cultivation, while Merimbula Marina (tel 02/6495 1686) offer $30 dolphin cruises. There are also whale-watching tours (Sept to early Dec) costing $50 for four hours. Cruises and boat rental can both be arranged at the
Merimbula Tourist Information Booking Service
on Beach Street (daily 9am-4pm, school holidays until 5pm; tel 02/6495 1129, fax 6495 4264,
www.merimbula-tourism.com.au
); they also have information on lots of other activities in the area, including 4WD forest tours, scenic flights, diving and horse riding. If the Sinbad cruise kindles an interest in the Aboriginal culture of the area, look up Umburra Cultural Tours (tel 02/4473 7232), run by the local land council based at Wallaga Lake and led by Koorie guides.
By bus , you can get to Merimbula from Canberra with Countrylink, from Sydney or Melbourne with Greyhound Pioneer (daily except Sat), and from Sydney or Eden with Pioneer Motor Service. Hazelton (tel 13 1713) flies to Merimbula from Sydney at least twice daily and Kendell Airlines (free call tel 1800 338 894) flies twice daily from Melbourne.
There are several places to
eat
out, including the renowned
Waterfront Cafe
, on the promenade by the tourist office, which has a seafood and snack menu (daily: March-Dec 8am-5pm; Jan-Feb 8am-midnight; tel 02/6495 2211). Also on the promenade, the
Lakeside Cafe
is open for lunch and dinner serving assorted fish dishes and some veggie options, and the
Lakeview Hotel
on Market Street has a bistro open for lunch and dinner.
Wheelers
, across the road from the Golf Club on the south side of town (tel 02/6495 6330), serves excellent local oysters. Merimbula has several good Asian restaurants, particularly
Bahn Thai
at 17 Merimbula Drive (tel 02/6495 4555), open daily for dinner. Opposite each other in the shopping centre on Princes Highway, try
Saigon Palace
(tel 02/6495 3255) for Vietnamese cuisine, or
Pedro's
for Mexican meals. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Australia,
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