Easter Escapades with Dragons of the Deep

Families who are looking for interesting nature inspired activities and something different to keep the family entertained will find the answers on the NSW Sapphire Coast over the Easter holidays.

Join the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre for a rocky shore ramble – a  90 minute guided tour of the local rock platforms with a marine scientist to explore the amazing diversity of life lurking along the water’s edge. Or a snorkelling tour (also guided) to discover the underwater world of the Sapphire Coast region. These sessions are run with a minimum of four participants and bookings are essential. The Centre is also offering a range of indoor activities for children where they can get creative and make marine magnets, bags of fun, critter craft and the crowd favourite slimy sand.

National Parks & Wildlife Service is offering a range of activities through their Discovery Program in various national parks and other locations around the Sapphire Coast. Play animal detective with Wanda the Wombat, paddle with water dragons in Bournda Lagoon, cook Swagman’s tucker and spotlight at night, rockpool ramble amongst the crabs, shorebirds and colourful sea anemones, walk through the magical Nunnock Swamp, snorkel amongst the weedy seadragons and discover Neptune’s necklace and soldier crabs!

For children (and their parents) who want to learn how to kayak, Coastlife Adventures offers a range of tours to suit all levels. Ocean Experience tours begin in the estuaries of Merimbula or Pambula before heading out into the ocean nearby. This tour is aimed at beginners and intermediate paddlers, with a minimum age of 12. For less confident novices or younger paddlers (5-8 years, if accompanied by an adult), there’s the quieter experience of still water paddling with a River Tour.

Qualified instructors teach kayaking skills on Bega River, with the bonus chance of spotting wildlife above and below the waterline.

Other Easter activities include the Moonlight Cinema in Tathra on Easter Saturday, the Easter Family Fair at Magic Mountain in Merimbula on Easter Sunday, and the 4 day Sapphire Coast Easter Rally of Vintage Cars, with up to 170 historic cars expected as part of the rally.

If its culture and music you're after don't miss the 2013 Candelo Village Festival. There's something for everyone at this year's festival - from a free opening concert to kids entertainment, immersive workshops, to a youth stage designed by and for young people. It's really the perfect event for the whole family. The Candelo Village Festival takes place from midday to midnight on Saturday 13th April with a fantastic line-up of international, national and local artists lighting up the valley, and don't miss attending the Opening Free Concert on Friday 12th April from 6:30pm. 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.