Things to do in Pambula, NSW: Your visitor cheat sheet

The best things to do in Pambula, NSW, include oyster cruises and birdwatching in the Panboola Wetlands. Wildlife spotting on the Pambula River Track also makes Pambula worth visiting.

Pambula, NSW, is one of several attractive towns along the Sapphire Coast in the far south of the state. It’s not a particular coherent town, and is split into South Pambula, Pambula and Pambula Beach.

South Pambula, you can largely ignore, but the main settlement of Pambula has plenty to offer.

Things to do in Pambula, NSW: Panboola Wetlands

Aside from the colonial buildings along the main street, things to do in Pambula include birdwatching in the Panboola Wetlands. This 77 hectare wetland refuge is a few steps to the south of the town centre, just off the Princes Highway.

There are several walking and cycling tracks within the Panboola Wetlands, and birdwatchers can park themselves at the viewing platforms.

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.

Pambula restaurants and cafés

Pambula is also an excellent place to graze. Banksia is the most famous fine dining establishment in this Sapphire Coast town, but there’s are plenty of other options.

Top Pambula restaurants, cafés and pubs include the Longstocking Brewery, Toast Café, Wild Rye’s Roastery, and the Top Pub Commerical Hotel.

Things to do in Pambula Beach: Pambula River walking track

It’s a 3.5km drive from Pambula to Pambula Beach, and it passes through the Pambula-Haycock Area of the Ben Boyd National Park. The most appealing areas of this national park are south of the Pambula River. The Haycock Point to Barmouth Beach walking track is the highlight.

North of the Pambula River, however, is the Pambula River Walking Track. This is a short 1km long along the river, but it’s good for wildlife viewing. You might see stingrays or dolphins in the river, or sea eagles soaring overhead.

From the lookout at the end of the Pambula River Walking Track, there’s a good chance of seeing migrating whales during the winter months.

Pambula Beach kangaroos

The main creature you’re likely to see in Pambula Beach, however, is kangaroos. A mob hangs out in the grassy areas near Discovery Parks – Pambula Beach.

Guests at this Pambula holiday park have an excellent chance of seeing kangaroos outside their cabin.

What to do in Pambula, NSW: Pambula Beach or Jiguma Beach?

Discovery Parks – Pambula Beach is on Pambula Beach, which stretches a few kilometres north towards Merimbula. The Pambula Surf Life Saving Club is at the southern end, next to the holiday park. It can be a good spot for surfing, but don’t expect ultra-reliable breaks.

Surfer at Pambula Beach, New South Wales. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

The other beach option is Jiguma Beach – sometimes called Little Beach. Jiguma Beach is backed by the Lions Park and stretches to the Pambula River mouth.

Things to do in Pambula: Oyster tours

This is oyster country, and Captain Sponge’s Magical Oyster Tours show off a working oyster farm on Pambula Lake. The tours cover both the local natural environment and oyster husbandry. There’s also live oyster shucking and tasting on the boat.

Pambula is about half way between Eden and Merimbula at the bottom end of the New South Wales South Coast. It can be used as a base for exploring both. You could tackle Potoroo Palace, Bar Beach and Magic Mountain Merimbula in Merimbula one day, then tackle Eden’s highlights the next. These include the Eden Killer Whale Museum, the Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Cat Balou Cruises and the Green Cape section of the Ben Boyd National Park.

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.

More New South Wales town and city guides