Bega to Merimbula drive: Distance, driving time and road trip attractions

The Bega to Merimbula drive is 33km in distance, with a driving time of 24 minutes. The best road trip attraction along the Princes Highway is 24 minutes. It only takes a few minutes longer along the Sapphire Coast Drive via Bournda National Park, Tura Beach and Magic Mountain Merimbula.

The drive from Bega to Merimbula connects the two largest towns on the Sapphire Coast in the far south of New South Wales.

Book now for the best rates on Merimbula accommodation.

Bega and Merimbula are close to each other, and one town can easily be used as a base for exploring the other.

Merimbula offers whale-watching cruises or dolphin-spotting ocean and wildlife tours. To bag the best Merimbula accommodation in advance, book here.

Bega to Merimbula distance and driving time

The Bega to Merimbula drive along the Princes Highway is 33km long. This is the quickest route, and it’s reasonably scenic, as the highway has plenty of rises and falls.

Along the Princes Highway, the Bega to Merimbula driving time is about 24 minutes.

Bega to Merimbula drive: Road trip attractions

If on a road trip along the NSW South Coast, the main attraction on the Bega to Merimbula drive is Potoroo Palace. This slightly scruffy wildlife park is just off the Princes Highway.

However, there is another route, and it’s arguably prettier. Go towards Tathra on the Tathra Road, and you can turn on the Sapphire Coast Drive just after Kalaru.

Make the very best of your time: 8 Sapphire Coast experiences to book

Dolphins, seals and seabirds cruise from Merimbula.
Pambula River kayaking tour.
Sapphire Coast private highlights tour.
Oyster-shucking experience plus kayaking in Pambula.
Eden and Beowa National Park photography tours.
Potoroo Palace wildlife park tickets.
Guided nature walking tour in Mimosa Rocks National Park.
Reef fishing charter from Merimbula.

Attractions on the Sapphire Coast Drive

After Kalaru, the Sapphire Coast Drive passes through the Bournda National Park. It’s a short diversion towards Bournda Beach and the Sandy Creek Loop Track. You then go past Tura Beach, effectively a northern suburb of Merimbula.

Wallagoot Gap in the Boornda National Park, NSW. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Just before entering the centre of Merimbula, you’ll come to Magic Mountain Merimbula. Australia’s not exactly a hotbed of theme parks, but this is the biggest theme park for a long, long way in either direction.

Along this route, the Bega to Merimbula drive is 34km long and takes around 29 minutes. Once in Merimbula, highlights include Bar Beach.

The best Merimbula accommodation options

The best Merimbula accommodation choices are:

For a holiday park with lots of kid-friendly facilities: NMRA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort.
For an affordable motel with an outdoor pool: Sapphire Waters Motor Inn.
For central location: Pelican Motor Inn.
For overall quality: Sails Luxury Apartments.

This article came as a result of a Melbourne to Sydney coastal road trip in March/ April 2022. This trip was supported by Tourism Australia.