Canberra to Merimbula road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Canberra to Merimbula drive: Cooma to Merimbula section
From Cooma, the Monaro Highway runs concurrently with the Snowy Mountains Highway until you reach Steeple Flat. Here, stick to the rural Snowy Mountains Highway. The roadside Pipers Lookout in the Glenbog State Forest is the best photo stop.
At Morans Crossing, turn right down the West Kamaruka Road. And, at Kameruka, head down the Candelo-Bega Road. This goes past the Oak Grove Alpaca Farm.
The road runs south of the Bega River until Kingswood on the Princes Highway. Divert north if you fancy cheese-tasting in Bega.
Bega accommodation picks include the pool-equipped Bega Village Motor Inn and Bega Southtown Motor Inn.
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.
It’s only 24 minutes from Bega to Merimbula. The main attraction on the route is somewhat scruffy wildlife park, Potoroo Palace.
Things to do in Merimbula include having old-fashioned theme park fun at Magic Mountain Merimbula and swimming safely at 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.
More Canberra road trips
Canberra road trips: To New South Wales
Albury to Canberra: Distance 338km, driving time 3h47m.
Bathurst to Canberra: Distance 253km, driving time 3h13m.
Canberra to Batemans Bay: Distance 148km, driving time 2h.
Canberra to Bega: Distance 228km, driving time 2h41m.
Canberra to Bowral: Distance 170km, driving time 2h.
Canberra to Braidwood: Distance 87km, driving time 1h7m.
Canberra to Cowra: Distance 189km, driving time 2h23m.
Canberra to Cooma: Distance 116km, driving time 1h17m.
Canberra to Dubbo: Distance 399km, driving time 4h45m.
Canberra to Jindabyne: Distance 179km, driving time 2h3m.
Canberra to Merimbula: Distance 246km, driving time 3h.
Canberra to Narooma: Distance 224km, driving time 3h.
Canberra to Orange: Distance 279km, driving time 3h17m.
Canberra to Wagga Wagga: Distance 245km, driving time 2h47m
Canberra to Wollongong: Distance 244km, driving time 2h40m.
Canberra to Young, NSW: Distance 157km, driving time 1h50m.
Goulburn to Canberra: Distance 91km, driving time 1h5m.
Gundagai to Canberra: Distance 160km, driving time 1h48m.
Sydney to Canberra: Distance 286km, driving time 3h5m.
Yass to Canberra: Distance 60km, driving time 52m.
Canberra road trips to other states
Adelaide to Canberra: Distance 1,159km, driving time 12h12m.
Melbourne to Canberra: Distance 663km, driving time 7h7m.