Merimbula
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| Merimbula New South Wales | |
|---|---|
| File:Merimbula-aerial.jpg Aerial view, west of Merimbula from over Middle Beach. | |
| Population | 4883 (2001 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2548 |
| LGA(s) | Bega Valley Shire |
| State electorate(s) | Bega |
| Federal division(s) | Eden-Monaro |
Merimbula (36°54′S 149°54′E / 36.900°S 149.900°E) is a small coastal town on the Far South Coast or Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Merimbula has an approximate population of 6367, and serves predominantly as a tourist town.
Education
Merimbula has one primary school; Merimbula Public School. However, the town does not have a high school. Children from Merimbula are required to travel to either Bega or Eden to attend public high school, or attend private schools in the surrounding areas, including at Pambula Beach and Bega.
Getting there
Merimbula is one of only a few towns on the South Coast of NSW to have its own airport. There are daily flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Merimbula. Flights from Sydney often stop in Moruya. Merimbula has the advantage of being nearly the same distance to both Sydney and Melbourne, with both trips taking between 6 and 7 hours to drive. It is approximately 3 hours drive to Australia's capital Canberra.
Activities
Merimbula has five main beaches - Main Beach (or Merimbula Beach), Mitchies Jetty, Bar Beach, Spencer Park Beach and Short Point. Main beach and Short Point are the best beaches for surfing, while Bar Beach is good for snorkeling. Other activities include whale watching, fishing, kitesurfing and boating. With a decent percentage of the population being retirees golf and lawn bowls are popular as well. Merimbula is also a great location for scuba diving, with the Sponge gardens at Yellow Rock and the Empire Gladstone wreck off nearby Haycock Point popular dives.
Facilities
Merimbula does not have a hospital but there is one located in Pambula which approx 4 kilometres away or a five minute drive and there is one in Bega which is about 30 minutes drive.
Events
Merimbula is the host of the Australian Native Orchid Show, held in Twyfold Hall. Another event that is drawing more and more people each year is the Annual Jazz Festival.
Merimbula has a popular windsurfing and kiteboarding festival, the Mambo. This is held in late November each year. Adding colour to the skies for the period of the competition.
Industry
Merimbula is a predominantly a tourist town, with a majority of the town's earnings coming from tourism. Merimbula does, however, have a small, but significant oyster farming industry. Merimbula grows approximately 3% of NSW Sydney rock oysters and a small amount of native flat oysters Ostrea angasi . The quality of local oysters was highlighted in the recent Sydney Fine Food Fare (2006), with all 12 medal winners coming from South of Sydney, NSW and six of the Twelve from the Sapphire Coast!
Many celebrities enjoy the peaceful serenity of Merimbula, choosing to spend their holidays in the coastal town. For example; on Jaunary 1, 2007, former Australian Idol contestant Dean Geyer was holidaying here.
Business
Merimbula is host to a large range of businesses from fine dining to craft and gift store Merimbula is a town serving the tourist business. Merimbula thrives during holiday season however during quite seasons Merimbula is less productive.
Attractions
Merimbula offers a range of activities from horse riding to roller coaster rides. Magic Mountain, Merimbula's own theme park has a roller coaster and one of the best toboggan slopes in New South Wales. Top fun is a games arcade offering Ten Pin Bowling and Zone 3 Laser maze. The Merimbula Wharf offers its own aquarium full of some of the common sea creatures on the Sapphire Coast.