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Things to Do in Narooma: Where to Eat, Drink, Stay & Play
There is no shortage of things to do in Narooma so make the most of your time with this curated edit.
Head a little further down the South Coast from the usual haunts and you’ll discover this blissful coastal town perched on an aqua inlet. The best things to do in Narooma, on the NSW South Coast, revolve around the water: snorkelling with the resident fur seals off Montague Island, kayaking the clear shallows of Wagonga Inlet and teeing off over the ocean at Narooma Golf Club’s clifftop 3rd hole. Between outings, eating oysters from the family farm at The Oyster Farmers Daughter or sipping tiki cocktails on the Quarterdeck jetty.
Sold? Get cracking on your holiday plans with this edit of things to do in Narooma.
In This Guide:
Best Things to Do in Narooma for Wildlife and Water Activities
Montague Island
This protected nature reserve can be found just 9km offshore and offers visitors a very unique opportunity to swim with the island’s playful resident fur seals. Snorkelling, scuba diving, penguin tours, grey nurse shark dives and bird-watching tours are just a handful of opportunities up for grabs on and around Montague Island.
Where: Montague Island (Barunguba), Narooma
Cost: Only accessed via tour, prices start from $165 to $190 per adult
Best For: Nature lovers, Adventure, Unique experiences, Outdoor
Need To Know: The island sits 9km offshore, so visits are by boat tour.
Wagonga Inlet
A water sports enthusiast’s dream, the crystalline waters of Wagonga Inlet are Narooma’s pride and joy. A boardwalk stretches along the shoreline, ideal for a walk, run, jog or spot of bird watching. Kayakers, boaters and fishermen have front-row seats to the rays, dolphins, seals and fish that make their home there.
Where: Wagonga Inlet, Narooma
Cost: Free
Best For: Nature lovers, Outdoor, Active, Free
Scenic Outdoor Things to Do in Narooma
Narooma Golf Club
Narooma Golf Club is one of the top 50 public courses in Australia with a very famous 3rd hole. Hogan’s Hole, as it has come to be known, is as scenic as it gets with players required to hit their ball over the ocean to a clifftop green.
Where: Narooma Golf Club, Narooma
Cost: $85 for 18-hole green fees
Best For: Active, Outdoor, Visitors, Unique experiences
Glasshouse Rocks
The beautiful Glasshouse Rocks sit at the Southend of Surf Beach and are a must-visit whilst you’re in Narooma. These mesmerising features are between 440 to 510 million years old.
Where: Surf Beach, Narooma
Cost: Free
Best For: Nature lovers, Outdoor, Free
Best Places to Eat and Drink in Narooma
Breakwall Brewing
A South Coast town isn’t complete without a local brewery and Breakwall is the local’s watering hole of choice and there’s plenty on tap for you to sip on all afternoon long. Swing by on Saturday for live music!
Suburb: Narooma
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Locals, Weekend plans, Group dining
Need To Know: Live music on Saturdays.
Quarterdeck
Nothing says holiday like a tiki-style cocktail on a sunny deck. Quarterdeck guests are even invited to dine out on the jetty atop the sparkling waters of Wagonga Inlet. Chow down on local seafood and kick back with a banana daiquiri – heaven is a place on earth!
Sitchu Tip: Order the banana daquiri!
Suburb: Narooma
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Seafood
Best For: Waterfront, Outdoor dining, Cocktail lovers
Need To Know: Jetty seating is available over Wagonga Inlet.
The Oyster Farmers Daughter
The aquamarine waters of Wagonga Inlet are the backdrop to the feast of your dreams at The Oyster Farmers Daughter. Swing by for fresh oysters from the family farm, freshly caught seafood, cocktails, local brews and pressed juices. Order at the sweet little food cart and enjoy in the sunshine in the riverside lounge area.
Suburb: Narooma
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Oyster bar, Seafood
Best For: Waterfront, Outdoor dining, Quick bite
Need To Know: Order at the food cart and eat in the riverside lounge area.
Salt
If you’re missing your local, head to Salt for some of the best coffee in town, paired with delicious brunch plates dressed in local produce. Preserves, ferments and pickles are a welcome addition to the tasty array of goodies on the menu.
Suburb: Narooma
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Cafe, Brunch
Best For: Breakfast, Brunch, Locals
Food Mantra By Wildfire
Serving breakfast and lunch during the day before Nepalese meals in the evening, this is a favourite for locals and visitors alike. There’s a delicious array of curries, meats and seafood making it the perfect fusion of local produce and international flavours. Oh, and did we mention it also has amazing views?
Suburb: Narooma
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Australian
Best For: Breakfast, Locals
Need To Know: Breakfast and lunch by day, Nepalese menu in the evening.
Where to Stay in Narooma and Nearby
Montague Island Head Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage
For a unique stay boasting the best views in town, book a few nights at Montague Island Head Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage. Located on the island itself, you’ll be able to switch off from the rest of the world as you relax on the heritage veranda spotting whales and seals. There are five bedrooms so it’s ideal for a group getaway where reading, feasting and soaking up nature are your only concerns. Boat transfers and a 1.5-hour island tour are included in the stay.
Location: Montague Island (Barunguba), NSW South Coast
Price Guide: On enquiry
Best For: Nature lovers, Remote escapes, Coastal
Need To Know: Five bedrooms. Boat transfers and a 1.5-hour island tour are included. Book via National Parks NSW.
Book now via National Parks NSW
Serendip Shack
If you’re a nature lover with a penchant for the finer things in life, Serendip Shack will ensure you get the best of both worlds. Soak up pristine sunrise views of Wallaga Lake from the comfort of a queen bed decked out in quality linen. A camp kitchen, private outdoor shower and fire pit will have you at one with nature without forgoing the little luxuries.
Location: Wallaga Lake, Bermagui, NSW
Price Guide: Around $140 to $160 per night depending on seasonal rates
Best For: Nature lovers, Couples, Weekend escape
Need To Know: Camp kitchen, private outdoor shower and fire pit. Book via Airbnb.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Things to do in Narooma
Narooma is a coastal town on the NSW South Coast known for its wildlife, water and seafood. Montague Island, a protected nature reserve 9km offshore, is home to fur seals and penguins, while the clear waters of Wagonga Inlet attract rays, dolphins and seals alongside kayakers and anglers. On land, Narooma Golf Club’s clifftop 3rd hole is a drawcard for golfers, and the ancient Glasshouse Rocks sit at the southern end of Surf Beach. Local oysters, fresh seafood and a local brewery round out the town’s food and drink offering.
Yes. Montague Island, a protected nature reserve about 9km off the coast of Narooma on the NSW South Coast, is home to a resident colony of fur seals, and guided tours give visitors the chance to snorkel alongside them. The island also offers scuba diving, grey nurse shark dives, penguin tours and bird-watching tours. Tours run through local operators departing from Narooma and should be booked in advance (verify), as they are subject to weather and sea conditions. Check operator details for minimum ages and seasonal availability before booking.
Hogan’s Hole is the nickname for the famous 3rd hole at Narooma Golf Club on the NSW South Coast. Players must hit their ball across the ocean to land on a clifftop green, making it one of the most scenic golf holes in the country. Narooma Golf Club is ranked among the top 50 public courses in Australia (verify source), so visiting golfers can book a round without a membership. For visitors planning a golf trip, it pairs easily with a day on the water at Wagonga Inlet or a boat tour out to Montague Island.
The Oyster Farmers Daughter is the go-to for fresh oysters in Narooma. Oysters come straight from the family’s own farm, alongside freshly caught seafood, cocktails, local beers and pressed juices, ordered from a food cart and eaten in a riverside lounge area overlooking Wagonga Inlet. For a sit-down seafood meal, Quarterdeck serves local seafood and tiki-style cocktails, with the option to dine out on the jetty over the inlet. Both venues make the most of Narooma’s waterfront setting on the NSW South Coast.
Yes. The lighthouse keeper’s cottage on Montague Island (Barunguba), around 9km off Narooma on the NSW South Coast, can be booked through National Parks NSW. The heritage cottage has five bedrooms, making it well suited to groups, and guests can spot whales and seals from the veranda. Boat transfers to the island and a 1.5-hour island tour are included in the stay. With no distractions beyond reading, eating and watching wildlife, it suits travellers wanting a genuine switch-off. Book well ahead to secure preferred dates.
If you loved this edit of things to do in Narooma and are looking for more things to do close by in the region, be sure to take a peek at our favourite South Coast walks as well as our guide to The Shoalhaven.
