Major city · Australia
Tathra
Give Tathra 2 nights as a slow stop on the Sapphire Coast: beach, wharf and a national park headland, no queues, no big-ticket sights.
Tathra is a beach village of about 1,700 people on the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales, 18 km east of Bega and 25 km north of Merimbula. Two nights covers the wharf, the beach and one coastal walk; three if you add Mimosa Rocks or Bournda. It is a driving stop, not a transport hub: you need a car or a lift from Merimbula airport.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (warm beach weather); Dec–Jan is peak and books out
- avoid Jun–Aug (cool, wet, many places shut midweek)
- Airports
- MIM · CBR
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tathra000 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- NSW Rural Fire Service bushfire information1800 679 737
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tathra, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA very safe small town; the real risks are surf (swim between the flags at the southern end), unlit coastal roads with wildlife at dusk…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile · 1800 679 737 NSW Rural Fire Service bushfire information
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMIM Merimbula Airport (28 km (17 mi) south by road; Rex flies from Sydney and Melbourne, and a second carrier has flown the Melbourne route.MIM Merimbula Airport (17 mi (28 km) south by road; Rex flies from Sydney and Melbourne, and a second carrier has flown the Melbourne route.
- Getting aroundYou can walk almost everywhere in the village: beach, wharf, shops and the pub are within about 15 minutes of each other.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Sit-down mealPub or club main courseA$18–35 (≈ US$12–25)
- Beer425 ml schoonerA$6–9 (≈ US$4–6) (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedHostel or shared-room bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel or holiday-unit double, a night, per roomA$200 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedMotel or holiday-unit double, a night, per roomA$320 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$120 (≈ US$80) · Mid A$200 (≈ US$140) · High A$320 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MIM Merimbula Airport (28 km (17 mi) south by road; Rex flies from Sydney and Melbourne, and a second carrier has flown the Melbourne route. Hire cars (Avis, Hertz, Europcar) at the airport. Check current schedules.) · CBR Canberra Airport (About 3 h by road; the fallback if Merimbula flights do not suit.)MIM Merimbula Airport (17 mi (28 km) south by road; Rex flies from Sydney and Melbourne, and a second carrier has flown the Melbourne route. Hire cars (Avis, Hertz, Europcar) at the airport. Check current schedules.) · CBR Canberra Airport (About 3 h by road; the fallback if Merimbula flights do not suit.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Feb
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Aug
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jul (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tathra: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Feb
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Jul
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You can walk almost everywhere in the village: beach, wharf, shops and the pub are within about 15 minutes of each other. Parking near the beach is adequate. For Mimosa Rocks, Bournda, Bega or Bermagui you need a car; Sapphire Coast Bus Lines runs local services, but check timetables before relying on them.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bega
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Tathra Road west, 18 km (11 mi)Tathra Road west, 11 mi (18 km)
Regional centre for supermarkets, fuel and the cheese heritage centre.
Bermagui
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Tathra-Bermagui Road north along the coast, 44 km (27 mi)Tathra-Bermagui Road north along the coast, 27 mi (44 km)
Fishing port with a blue pool and good coffee; pair it with Mimosa Rocks on the way.
Merimbula
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Sapphire Coast Drive south, 25 km (16 mi)Sapphire Coast Drive south, 16 mi (25 km)
Bigger town, airport, more restaurants; useful on a wet day.
Mimosa Rocks National Park
goDoor to door: 10–30 min
Five access roads off the Tathra-Bermagui road; park starts at the north end of Tathra Beach
Coastal rock formations, birdlife and quiet beaches; carry water, no shops.
Bournda National Park
goDoor to door: On foot from the village
Walk in from Kianinny Bay at the south end of town
Coastal walking track runs most of the park's 13 km (8.1 mi); go early in summer.Coastal walking track runs most of the park's 8.1 mi (13 km); go early in summer.
Eden
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Sapphire Coast Drive south via Merimbula, about 60 km (37 mi)Sapphire Coast Drive south via Merimbula, about 37 mi (60 km)
Better as a half-day with the killer whale museum than a rushed return.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Tathra Beach / Andy Poole Drive
Walk to sand, wharf and the bowling club; the default for a short stay.
Bega Street and the village centre
Pub, shops and cafés on foot; 5–10 min walk to the beach.
Kianinny Bay end
Quieter, at the southern end where Bournda National Park starts; good for walkers.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$120–180 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$180–300 (≈ US$120–200) excl. bed
- High
- A$300 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or holiday-unit double1 × 2 nights × A$200 | A$400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$200 | A$800 |
| Hire car from Merimbula airport, per day1 × A$90 · check | A$90 |
| Fish and chips or a pub meal2 × A$30 | A$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$140 |
| Trip total≈ A$385 per person per day, bed included | A$1,540≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Fish and chips | A$15–25 (≈ US$10–17) |
| Pub or club main course | A$18–35 (≈ US$12–25) |
| Beer, 425 ml schooner | A$6–9 (≈ US$4–6) (check) |
| Dozen local oysters | A$20–35 (≈ US$14–25) (check) |
| Fuel, per litre | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mobile reception is patchy; a Telstra-network SIM gives the best chance. Some places have Wi-Fi.
- Swim between the flags at the southern end of the beach: that is the only patrolled section.
- Coastal roads are unlit and kangaroos and wombats cross at dusk and dawn; avoid driving then if you can.
- Bushfire risk is real in summer: check the Rural Fire Service app and local signage before a walk or drive.
- Many kitchens and cafés close early or shut midweek outside summer; check hours the day before.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
- NSW Rural Fire Service bushfire information
- 1800 679 737
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TathraTathra
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address, please?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- NSW Rural Fire Service bushfire information1800 679 737
Embassy
No consulates in Tathra; the nearest are in Canberra, and embassies are in Canberra or Sydney. US, UK, Canadian and other visitors should register with their embassy in Canberra before remote travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Merimbula Airport → Tathra: 28 km (17 mi) by road, about 30 min by car; taxi or transfer, check the fare locally17 mi (28 km) by road, about 30 min by car; taxi or transfer, check the fare locally
- Tathra → Bega: 18 km (11 mi), about 20 min by car11 mi (18 km), about 20 min by car
- Tathra → Bermagui: 44 km (27 mi), about 40 min by car27 mi (44 km), about 40 min by car
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- How much is that? — How much is it?
- Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
- Where's the beach path? — Where is the beach access?
- Are the flags up today? — Is it patrolled today?
- Nearest servo? — Where is the nearest petrol station?
Print or screenshot this card: phone coverage is patchy outside the village.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tathra. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr (warm beach weather); Dec–Jan is peak and books out · avoid Jun–Aug (cool, wet, many places shut midweek) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for Merimbula: current Rex and Melbourne-route schedules, hire-car desks, taxi and transfer fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: wharf and museum, beach and Andy Poole Drive, Bega Street village, Kianinny Bay and Bournda.
- Place pages with verified opening hours (wharf museum, bowling club bistro, Fat Tony's) and eat pages with last orders.
- Bushfire and closed-kitchen fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Tathra
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