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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.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

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.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

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
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.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

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.

Tathra Wharf and museumTathra BeachMimosa Rocks National ParkBournda National ParkOysters
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.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    19°C (66°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    16°C (61°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    16°C (61°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    17°C (63°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    19°C (66°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (26°C (79°F)), coolest Jul (6°C (43°F) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Tathra: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

26°C (79°F)

17°C (63°F)

8 rd

Feb

26°C (79°F)

17°C (63°F)

8 rd

Mar

24°C (75°F)

15°C (59°F)

9 rd

Apr

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

8 rd

May

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

8 rd

Jun

16°C (61°F)

7°C (45°F)

8 rd

Jul

16°C (61°F)

6°C (43°F)

7 rd

Aug

17°C (63°F)

7°C (45°F)

7 rd

Sep

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

8 rd

Oct

21°C (70°F)

11°C (52°F)

9 rd

Nov

23°C (73°F)

13°C (55°F)

9 rd

Dec

25°C (77°F)

15°C (59°F)

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

Door-to-door, not ride time

Bega

go

Door to door: About 20 min

Tathra Road west, 18 km (11 mi)

Regional centre for supermarkets, fuel and the cheese heritage centre.

Bermagui

go

Door to door: About 40 min

Tathra-Bermagui Road north along the coast, 44 km (27 mi)

Fishing port with a blue pool and good coffee; pair it with Mimosa Rocks on the way.

Merimbula

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Sapphire Coast Drive south, 25 km (16 mi)

Bigger town, airport, more restaurants; useful on a wet day.

Mimosa Rocks National Park

go

Door 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

go

Door 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.

Eden

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Sapphire Coast Drive south via Merimbula, about 60 km (37 mi)

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
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

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or holiday-unit double1 × 2 nights × A$200A$400
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$200A$800
Hire car from Merimbula airport, per day1 × A$90 · checkA$90
Fish and chips or a pub meal2 × A$30A$60
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25A$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$140
Trip total≈ A$385 per person per day, bed includedA$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

CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Fish and chipsA$15–25 (≈ US$10–17)
Pub or club main courseA$18–35 (≈ US$12–25)
Beer, 425 ml schoonerA$6–9 (≈ US$4–6) (check)
Dozen local oystersA$20–35 (≈ US$14–25) (check)
Fuel, per litreA$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) (check)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A very safe small town; the real risks are surf (swim between the flags at the southern end), unlit coastal roads with wildlife at dusk, patchy phone coverage and summer bushfire. Lock the car and don't leave valuables on the beach.
  • 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

One page · print or save as PDF

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 locally
  • Tathra → Bega: 18 km (11 mi), about 20 min by car
  • Tathra → Bermagui: 44 km (27 mi), 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

  1. 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. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for Merimbula: current Rex and Melbourne-route schedules, hire-car desks, taxi and transfer fallback.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: wharf and museum, beach and Andy Poole Drive, Bega Street village, Kianinny Bay and Bournda.
  3. Place pages with verified opening hours (wharf museum, bowling club bistro, Fat Tony's) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Bushfire and closed-kitchen fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources