FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: Merimbula & Tathra

The sun was out today. We declared it too hot to take on the Merimbula boardwalk and opted for iced coffees and muffins whilst the kids showed us their paddle boarding skills. Being kids they made it look simple although we would've liked to have seen a little more paddling and a little less playing in the water given that we were paying by the hour! We drove back to Pambula to find some waves and picked up some seafood from Wheelers. We took our meal to a park bench in the shade by the beach (try finding those when you want them in Sydney) and tucked in with our fingers. The fish was good as expected (almost as good as Eden), but the sweet potato chips were amazing!

Full of energy we jumped in the water. After much trying, Malcolm and Lara concluded that the two of them were not capable of catching a wave together on one boogie board. Stupid tourists!

Merimbula Lake

Mitchies Beach

Stand up paddle boarding

They make it look easy

Rounding the corner to Merimbula Beach

Lunch by the beach back at Pambula

Fish and chips from Wheelers

It is oyster country so why not?!

Pambula Beach

We ducked home for a quick shower and power nap (or board game for the keen beans) before heading out to Tathra - home of Tathra Oysters. Apparently Neil Perry buys his Sydney rock oysters from Tathra because they are the best! Given that oysters are one of Jonah's favourite foods (along with beef jerky) we thought we'd better go to the supplier. I had imagined a shop, warehouse or waterfront outlet of sorts, but Tathra Oyster Suppliers was actually run from some guy's garage. It was all set up with sanitiser, q-codes and run very professionally, but it was just one guys with his oysters - but oh what oysters! They were creamy, fresh and were indeed the best natural oysters that we have tried. He supplies all the local restaurants including the Tathra Hotel which would be our destination for dinner.

En route we stumbled across Chamberlain Lookout. It wasn't on our must do list but probably should've been. The view of Kianinny Bay was simply stunning. Snorkelling here must be amazing - as long as you don't get in the way of the spear fishermen. A lot of money was pumped into the creation of cycling tracks in Tathra to help create jobs and generate tourism. A Tathra snorkelling and cycling trip might be a future adventure!

Tathra hotel is famous for its location, its oysters and its beer. It is a restaurant that serves gastro-pub style food in a casual, but comfortable environment. We couldn't help buying another dozen oysters and Malcolm tried a beer flight. The oysters, beer and desserts were excellent. The mains were decent and of a generous size without being great. This hotel was deep cleaned and closed for a bit earlier in the year when some Victorians contaminated it, but business has clearly bounced back and bookings were needed for dinner.