Merimbula – Pambula – Tura Beach

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South Eastern

Merimbula and Pambula, less than 10 minutes apart, are located on the Sapphire Coast of NSW, a spectacular coastal region of picturesque villages, beautiful beaches, calm lakes, and pristine national parks.

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Location

Located on the Far South Coast of NSW Merimbula and Pambula are about 240 km (3 hr drive) from Canberra via Cooma and 520 km (6 hr drive) from Sydney. Both Merimbula and Pambula are less than a half hour drive from the regional centre of Bega. Tura Beach is a suburb of Merimbula.

The Sapphire Coast is a high-quality oyster-producing region, both Merimbula Lake and Pambula Lake are renowned for their oysters, with Pambula Lake boasting the highest concentration of oyster farms in the region.

How to get there

Merimbula Regional Airport is serviced by Regional Express (REX) offering daily flights to and from Melbourne, Sydney and Moruya.

There are regular coach services from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, and local bus services to get around Merimbula.

Population

Merimbula is home to more than 7500 people, the median age of residents is 55 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up nearly 2% of the population. Nearby Pambula is home to more than 1500 people, the median age of residents is 51 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up nearly 2% of the population.

They are located within the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network, this Population Health Profile provides an overview of community health for the region.

Healthcare facilities

Pambula Hospital is the closest public hospital (less than 50 beds), it has a Nurse-led Assessment, Treatment, and Care Centre (ATC) for walk-in patients. The ATC is for minor injuries and illnesses.

Bega (less than 30 min drive) has a major regional hospital – South East Regional Hospital that opened in 2016. It offers a wide range of services including Aboriginal health, aged and chronic disease, Breast Screen NSW, dental (oral) health, diabetes, drug and alcohol, heart (cardiac) rehabilitation, hepatitis C treatment, HIV, kidney (rental) health, maternal, pediatrics, palliative care, radiology, and women’s health.

There is a NSW Ambulance Service station at Merimbula

Accredited GP practices

Main Street Medical Centre - Merimbula
Pambula Medical Centre
Sapphire Clinic
Tura Beach Medical Centre

Doctor accommodation

There may be accommodation available to registrars, please contact your Rural Support Officer for more details.

Industry

The major industry sectors employing residents of Merimbula and Pambula include accommodation, clubs (hospitality), supermarket and grocery stores, aged care residential services, cafes and restaurants, primary education and local government administration.

Education

Schools within the area there are: Merimbula Public School (K-6), Pambula Public School (K-6) and Lumen Christi Catholic College (K-12). High school students travel to either Bega or Eden to attend public high school.

Childcare

For young families, there are three facilities in the area offering a range of kindergarten, early learning and childcare, and holiday care services.

Shopping

There are plenty of shops to explore in Merimbula including footwear, clothing, fishing, surf and sports gear, homewares, and Target. Supermarkets in the area include Woolworths at Merimbula and Tura Beach, and Foodworks in Pambula. There is also the Merimbula Fresh Food Market. In nearby Bega (25 min drive from Merimbula) is Sapphire Marketplace that includes Big W, Woolworths, Dan Murphys and more than 20 specialty stores.

Places of worship

There are a number of places of worship the Merimbula area including Catholic, Anglican, Baptist and Uniting churches. The nearest Buddhist temples, and mosques are located in Canberra (3 hr drive from Merimbula).

Points of interest

The uncrowded beaches and national parks in the area provide a range of outdoor activities. There are art galleries, museums, and a cinema in Merimbula. Dining options range from cafes to fine-dining restaurants offering fresh local produce and seafood. Annual events include the Pambula Show, EAT Merimbula and the Merimbula Jazz Festival.

Sporting activities

Sporting activities include fishing, surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, mountain biking, stand up paddle boarding, horse riding, golf, soccer, AFL, tennis, cricket, basketball and netball. There is also an aquatic centre with a heated pool in Pambula.

Community groups and activities

In Merimbula community groups and volunteer organisations include the Country Women’s Association, Rotary Club, Lions Club, and the Merimbula Imlay Historical Society. A listing of groups and their contact details are available on the Bega Valley Shire Council Community Directory.