At Vitora we say that taking a little bit of time out to enjoy life is all part of the journey… which is why if you’re a bit weary of Canberra city and are looking for the perfect day trip or weekend escape with a bit of sand and sun thrown in for good measure, this may just be up your alley.
Travelling from Australia’s capital city to the holiday-inspired, beachside location of Batemans Bay will only take you about two-hours (on your ultra-trusty Vitora tyres of course!), and it’s a pretty easy drive. So… come on, what are you waiting for? Buckle up and let’s get going.
We’re heading to Batemans Bay
The closest beach to Canberra (just 150km away), Batemans Bay (which got its name from the one-and-only Captain James Cook!) is at the entrance to the Clyde River. It has plenty of relaxing appeal whether you want to just sit back and enjoy the sound of the waves or take advantage of many activities it’s become famous for.
Some basic directions and where to stop along the way
While Google will give you all the exact twists and turns, whichever way you go, this trip is pretty direct from the Canberra CBD. Making your way via the Kings Highway and B52, you can add to the adventure of the day with intriguing stops in at some quaint, history-rich, character-filled towns such as Bungendore and Braidwood, along the way. Deep in the Canberra wine district, Bungendore is a foodies’ heaven, as well as being home to an abundance of vineyards and a number of cellar doors – so there’s truly heaps to see and do! In fact, once you’re had a little taste of this wonderful area, we’re tipping it may be somewhere else you’re going to want to put on your “to do” list for another short trip, another time!
What is there to do at Batemans when I get there?
What isn’t there to do, is more the question! With a laid-back atmosphere it’s the picturesque setting for snorkelling, surfing, cycling, walking, taking in the local history, visiting the Birdland Animal Park and getting acquainted with some native wildlife, having a peaceful picnic, playing some beach cricket or volleyball, as well as offering an abundance of fresh oysters and other seafood (and that all-important ice cream). We’ve put together a few options to get your planning started for this very easy-to-do, mini escape.
- The Old Courthouse Museum is a treasure trove of historical gems, providing everything about the area’s history including its naming by explorer James Cook
- Aptly called “Surf Beach”, this spectacular beach is patrolled in summer and has everything you’d want in a beach. The nearby Clyde River National Park is also a haven for water sports, fishing, kayaking and bird spotting
- The Batemans Bay Cycleway which runs along the along the foreshore is flat and family-friendly, and if you don’t have your own bike, there are bikes for hire.
- For some serious snorkelling, the Batemans Bay Snorkelling Trail is 12km north of Batemans Bay
- As this is prime oyster coast country, it stands to reason that finding a freshly chucked oyster is never too difficult – direct from local farms and eateries
- The Birdland Animal Park (which has a nearby picnic and BBQ area) has an abundance of native animals, many of which you can see up close
- Treat the kids (or yourself!) to a game at Batemans Bay mini golf
- The Batemans Bay Sunday Markets (held on the first and third Sundays of the month) is a great place to browse for food and fresh produce, local art and creations
- And of course, you can’t go past some fresh fish ‘n chips on the beach, with some seriously fresh fish on offer!
What about accommodation?
If you run out of time and decide to stay over, there is varied accommodation available in Batemans from the charming to those places which are ideally situated to enable you to soak up more of the views. It’s a popular place particularly in holiday seasons, so if you’re thinking of spending the weekend, it’s advisable to book ahead. It goes without saying that there are some perfect camping options including the Big4 Batemans Bay at Easts Riverside Holiday Park, right on the Clyde River.
Anything else I need to know
When it comes to Batemans Bay, the world really is your oyster. Explore as much or as little as you like – or just do the drive and enjoy a good book on Surf Beach. And because it’s a short ride, anything you don’t fit into this adventure can be the start of another! While we’ve done our planning from Canberra, the beauty of Batemans is that it’s also only about four hours from Sydney, so if you’re a Sydneysider and happy to make a slightly longer drive – there’s a great adventure waiting!
Well, that just about wraps things up from us, the Team @ Vitora. Just a quick reminder before you set off to check your tyre pressures and make sure you’ve packed your sunscreen and other beach essentials! And of course, enjoy the drive!
