Blue skies, sunshine and warm waters are the hallmarks of
autumn on the far south coast of NSW - and with mild winters that follow, take
the opportunity to go fishing or mountain bike riding; check out galleries,
festivals and exhibitions; match local wine with wonderful seafood and local
produce; and paddle at beaches where the only footprints are your own. Check
out the website www.sapphirecoast.com.au then hit the road, or book a flight to
Merimbula, the town that services the region from Bermagui to the Victorian
border. You're bound to find something that takes your fancy!
Eden Amateur Fishing Competition
Date: March 2-9
Where: Eden
The annual week-long Eden-based fishing competition is
back this year with $35,000 in prizes for those who catch the biggest fish!
Competitors from all over Australia join the Eden Amateur Fishing Club in this
annual week of fishing and fun with the competition divided into four
categories: open, ladies, boys and girls. Enter on March 1st or on any day
throughout the competition and come and try your luck!
Sculpture on the Edge
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| The Seed Pod of Life |
Date: March 2-11
Where: Bermagui
If you're a fan of Sydney's Sculpture by the Sea, then
you should venture further south and check out Sculpture on the Edge. The
annual exhibition features large sculptural pieces set into the magnificent
coastal scenery as well as an indoor exhibition of smaller sculptures,
children's workshops, a fire festival and a symposium on animals in sculpture
at architect Philip Cox's Murrah property. The event attracts both established
and emerging artists and provides an accessible and enjoyable cultural experience
in the Far South Coast.
Image: The Seed Pod of Life by James Worth. Photo
courtesy of Prem Samira
Sapphire Coast Rock n' Rodders Dance Festival
Date: March 8-10
Where: Merimbula
The Sapphire Coast Rock n' Rodders is a fantastic weekend
focusing on 50's dancing, memorabilia and Hot rodding. The dance festival
starts on Friday night and continues on Saturday with dance workshops and the
gala dance on Saturday night with performers The Fender Benders, Richard King
and the band Shadoogie. The Show & Shine hot rod and classic car display
will be held on Sunday, with the dinner dance and competition held on the
Sunday night. The festival is held over the long weekend to allow fellow
Victorians and Canberrans to travel home on Monday's public holiday.
Bermagui Seaside Fair
Date: March 9
Where: Bermagui
The Bermagui Seaside Fair is a multi-award winning
community/tourism event that attracts thousands of people to the picturesque
seaside town. A variety of activities include Blessing of the Fleet, a fancy
dress street parade, arts and crafts exhibition, over 100 market and food
stalls, kid's entertainment, novelty events, live music, sandcastle
competition, pet pageant, a monster auction and a fireworks spectacular over
Horseshoe Bay in the evening.
EAT Merimbula
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| Cranky Cafe |
Date: 10 March
Where: Merimbula
EAT Merimbula is the inaugural foodie providore event
that is being held at Fishpen, overlooking the picturesque Merimbula Lake on
Sunday 10 March. The fertile soil and clear waters of the Sapphire Coast have
long been known to provide world class fresh produce, such as oysters, mussels
and our world famous Bega Cheese. In the skilled hands of our local chefs, our
region's harvest will become an experience to be savoured. EAT Merimbula will
provide premium plated local fare from up to 20 of our best chefs and food
entrepreneurs. Think Kingfish Sushimi, gourmet pastries, giant paellas, mouth
watering oysters - and plenty of surprises. Bring a picnic blanket and the
family and come and enjoy this locavore's paradise.
Image: Cranky Café's giant paella will be just one the
highlights of Eat 2013. Photo courtesy of Robyn Rosenfeldt
Candelo Village Festival
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| Candelo Festival |
Date: April 13
Where: Candelo
The Candelo Village Festival is a vibrant festival set in
picturesque Candelo, a little town in the rolling Bega Valley with a big
musical heart. Expect a colourful community event like no other celebrating
music, arts, local culture and the International Year of Water Cooperation with
a stellar line up of artists including Mikelangelo and the Black Seeds who've
played from the Sydney Opera House to Edinburgh Festival; Gleny Rae Virus and
Her Tamworth Playboys; and local jazz hotshot Kade Brown.
Image: Enjoying the Festival. Photo courtesy of Robyn
Rosenfeldt
Enduro Mountain Bike Competition
Date: April 27-28
Where: Tathra
Now in its third year, the Tathra MTB Enduro has gained a
cult following for its super flowing seaside single track and its enthusiastic
community spirit. The event encourages participation of all levels of mountain
bike rider. It's a mountain biking odyssey that captures the best of the
beaches, forests and mountains with a rare opportunity to race along the
coastline on a mix of forest roads, double track and secret stashes of single
track deep in the heart of the coastal wilderness. The Enduro and its 40km of
racing trails is located within a stone's throw of Tathra. In 'family speak'
that means you can ride from your accommodation to the start-line, race, and be
back for an afternoon surf with the kids!
Malibu Surf Competition
Date: May 18
Where: Main Beach, Merimbula
This is a one-day Malibu surf spectacular with surfers
surfing through a virtual gauntlet to reach the finals and great honours. The
annual Malibu event is an open, double elimination event with trophies and
prizes for the six finalists and for each of the categories of women's,
juniors, local, men's, masters, veterans, legends and dead set-legends!
Merimbula Jazz Festival
 |
| Garry Clavarella |
Date: 7 - 10 June
Where: Merimbula
The 33rd Merimbula Jazz Festival will be held across the
long weekend and is planning to be bigger than ever. 150 bands and 700
musicians will play all styles of jazz, from trad, ragtime, big bands, swing,
mainstream, modern and funk across the weekend. Also including a Street Parade,
the popular Jazz Quest for the under 25's, Jazz Breakfast and Jazz Picnic Day
with performances across 4 days and 6 venues. Bring the family and friends and
come and enjoy a non‐commercial,
community driven music festival!
Image: Gerry Ciavarella at Merimbula Jazz Festival. Photo
courtesy Merimbula Jazz Committee Sapphire Coast Tourism
Bega Valley Car Rally
Date: 9 June
Where: Eden
The Bega Valley Rally is a round of both the NSW and
Victorian State Rally Championships and the ACT Regional Series. This year will
be the 40th Jubilee, commemorating the 40th year since the event was first
based in the Bega Valley and incorporates the Sapphire Coast Classic for
'classic-style' 2WD cars that have been so popular at the event over the years.
The Bega Valley Rally in 2013 will be a national, non-paced noted special stage
rally, conducted in the forests to the west, south-west and south of Eden,
using some of the very best roads for rallying in Australia. The event will
culminate with the Awards Presentation at the Eden Fisherman's Club on the
Sunday night.
Ace of Clubs Golf Classic
Date: 16-21 June
Where: The Sapphire Coast's top 4 golf courses
The Classic is played at 4 of the finest clubs on the
Sapphire Coast ‐
Tura Beach, Eden, Bega & Pambula‐Merimbula
Golf Clubs. From June 16-21 inclusive, the 17th annual Classic will host around
400 players from acrossAustralia. Played on a typical tournament basis, daily
prizes and a King and Queen of Clubs are crowned after 4 days of enjoyable, yet
competitive golf. $20,000 worth of prizes will be awarded as well as a full social
calendar including a Dinner Dance, Final Presentation and a Farewell Party
held across the weekend.
Located on the far south coast of NSW, the Sapphire Coast
includes the towns and coastal villages of Eden, Merimbula, Tathra, Bega and
Bermagui. Three hours' drive from Canberra via Cooma or a six to seven-hour
drive from either Melbourne or Sydney, there are regular daily flights from
Melbourne or Sydney via REX Airlines into Merimbula, and regular inter-city bus
services. For more information check out the website www.sapphirecoast.com.au
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