Holiday apartment in Bega Valley Shire Council

Bega Valley Shire Council in the southeast of New South Wales combines the Sapphire Coast with a broad inland valley. Beaches, rainforests, rivers, lakes, mountain scenery, and agricultural landscapes make the Shire a destination for families who want to combine different nature experiences with a stay in smaller towns. The key decision is therefore what kind of holiday mix you want: should the coast set the pace, or would you also like to include the inland and its history?

Quick facts about Bega Valley Shire Council

  • Location: in the southeast of New South Wales on the Sapphire Coast
  • Coastline: around 225 kilometres
  • Landscape: beaches, rainforests, rivers, lakes, mountain scenery, protected areas, forests and agricultural land
  • Culture and history: The land is connected with the traditional custodianship of the Yuin; Bega is known as a historic place in the middle of Dairy Country with a cheese-making tradition

Coast, valley and open landscapes

The special appeal of Bega Valley Shire lies in the contrast between different landscape areas. The Sapphire Coast brings beaches and a maritime character; inland, this is followed by valleys, forests, waterways and farmland. This mix suits a family holiday in which active days in nature can alternate with quieter town or landscape experiences.

The size of the Shire is also part of the travel planning. Do not treat Bega Valley Shire Council as one compact holiday resort; instead, choose accommodation based on the experiences that matter most to your family. A stay focused on the coast has a different emphasis from a trip that aims to combine coast, inland valley and rural surroundings. Coast, inland valley and rural surroundings therefore form different focal points for travel planning.

Nature, Yuin culture and Bega’s cheese tradition

The landscapes and waterways of the Shire are also connected with the traditional custodianship of the Yuin. For visitors, this is a reason to experience the region as a living cultural landscape with care and respect.

In addition to the coastal perspective, Bega offers an inland-style travel element. The town is described as a historic centre in the middle of Dairy Country with a long-standing cheese-making tradition. Families who find regional history and local produce interesting as well as nature and water can take this aspect into account when planning their trip.

Sheep grazing in a field in the Bega Valley in New South Wales.
Rural farming in the Bega Valley near Bega. Photo: Carl Davies, CSIRO, source, CC BY 3.0.
Brassica field in the Bega Valley in New South Wales.
Agricultural land in the Bega Valley. Photo: Carl Davies, CSIRO, source, CC BY 3.0.

Which base suits your trip?

In a Shire this large, the location of your holiday home or holiday apartment becomes part of the itinerary. First decide whether you mainly want to experience the coast and beaches, or whether a broader mix of coast, inland, forest, water and rural surroundings fits your family better. You can then look more closely at the region’s town pages and match the location with your most important day trips.

For families with different daily rhythms, a holiday apartment or holiday house can be appealing if self-catered meals and flexible day planning suit the holiday you want. This says nothing about the facilities of individual properties. Check the specific accommodation and also consider how many changes of location are comfortable for your family.

Places in Bega Valley Shire Council

The following town pages belong to Bega Valley Shire Council and provide a useful next step for your own selection: Barragga Bay, Bega, Bermagui, Brogo, Cobargo, Eden, Kiah, Merimbula, Mirador, Murrah, Pambula, Pambula Beach, Tanja and Tathra.

For a broader regional comparison, go to New South Wales.

Frequently asked questions about Bega Valley Shire Council

What landscapes does Bega Valley Shire Council offer?

The Shire combines the Sapphire Coast and beaches with rainforests, rivers, lakes, mountain scenery, protected areas and agricultural land. That makes it a good fit for a trip that includes more than just the coast.

Is Bega Valley Shire Council only a beach destination?

No. The inland valley, Dairy Country and the historic character of Bega are also part of the region’s identity.

What culinary tradition is associated with Bega?

Bega stands for a combination of Dairy Country and a long cheese-making tradition.