Another timeless day dawns at Pambula, a name derived from the Yuin Aboriginal word meaning “Two Waters”.
The pretty coastal village of Pambula (pop 1,150) is big on history, with the discovery of gold in local rivers in the mid 1800’s. Some of Pambula’s lovely historic buildings date back to this industrious time, with bull-nose verandahs, a town clock and lovingly tended street gardens. It’s a bustling little place, and with over one hundred businesses it’s surprising and refreshing not to see any chain stores or traffic lights.
Browsing the town you’ll discover a delightful array of specialty shops including an artisan bakery, cafes, galleries, local art and craft, handcrafted surfboards, giftwares, homewares, fashion, vintage collectables, boutiques, whole foods, hair, beauty and health, and eco-friendly retail with a strong focus on local. Pambula has also cornered the market on essentials with a thriving bank, newsagent, post office, real estate, furniture store, supermarket, chemist, butchery and fruit market, plus two very popular pubs offering a terrific feed all year round.
At the southern end of the main street, tranquil Panboola Wetlands based on the grounds of the old Pambula racetrack, offers a delightful, paved stroll popular for bird watching and photography.
Tourism is the life-blood of Pambula Village and a spotlight is focussed brightly on the pristine coastline of nearby Pambula Beach and river mouth where two local Aboriginal tribes left behind 3,000 year-old middens. Pambula’s stunning waterways, eternal favourites with holidaymakers and residents, are well deserving of Tourism Australia’s award ‘Australia’s Coastal Wilderness’ – lauding the region’s purity and proliferation of marine life.
Pambula Beach, with a population of only 700, shares its postcode with Pambula and boasts the local Catholic College K – 12, the proud and competitive Pambula Surf Life Saving Club and a state-of-the-art aquatic centre funded and staffed by passionate locals..
Great for laid back holidays
One of Pambula’s charms is its close proximity to beaches, lakes, wetlands and countryside. It is an ideal location for family holidays, confirmed by the countless families boasting four generations of Pambula holidays!
Beachcomb the sweeping sands, explore sea life in fascinating rockpools, lunch with the local kangaroos or take a horseride through local bushland. A visit to Pambula confirms that this place is a magnetic blend of paradise and history, fuelled by the spirited energy of a proud community.
Pambula Lake is home to one of the coast’s oyster faming communities. The clean, clear waters of the lake produce some of the country’s finest Sydney Rock Oysters owing to the combination of fresh water moving down the Pambula and Yowaka Rivers, and the tidal exchange from the Pacific Ocean. On the shores of the pristine lake you can see how this important local industry works and take some tasty morsels home with you.
This meeting of waters means Pambula Lake offers excellent kayaking and fishing. There are boat launching facilities and plenty of parking right next to the oyster sheds.
Both the boat ramp and the oyster sheds are located on Broadwater Road, 8 kilometres south of Pambula.
Walking and bike tracks abound. A sealed bike and walking track connects Pambula with Pambula Beach, a distance of two kilometres or you can take a longer outing into Merimbula (four kilometres) past the airport and Merimbula lake.
From the Pambula Surf Life Saving Club, a short but delightful track takes the walker through avenues of native trees and strategically placed lookouts over the Pacific Ocean. The walk finishes at the rivermouth where the Pambula River runs out to sea.
The Lions Park offers free barbecues, playground and amenities making this a great spot for a family outing.
Markets and other events
A quality and long running market is held on the second Sunday of each month drawing bargain hunters for many kilometres. There is a huge diversity of things on offer including home made foods, plants, collectables, second hand goods, new clothing as well as unique products such as home made dog jackets. The market is held in all weather and is mostly outdoors but there’s always a hot coffee to warm your hands in winter and a cool sea breeze in summer.
Each January, Pambula hosts it’s annual country show, always the first for the region’s show season. It is a wonderful way to see country life, with some unique experiences like the oyster shucking competition, a dog high jump and chook washing along with petting farm, wood chopping, children’s entertainment, exhibitions and equine and stock competitions in the arena.
