Penguin Mews merimbula : Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions - Penguin Mews merimbula

What are the reception hours of Penguin Mews ?

9.30 - 5 pm.

What is check-in and check-out times for Penguin Mews ?

Check In Time is 1400 hours, Check Out Time is 930 hours.

What is the phone number for Penguin Mews ?

02 6495 1660

What city Penguin Mews is in ?

Merimbula.

What is mailing address for Penguin Mews ?

27 Beach Street merimbula new south wales 2548 australia

What credit cards are accepted by Penguin Mews ?

Visa , Mastercard

Where is Merimbula?

Merimbula is a coastal town located 6 hours drive from Sydney (467km), 7 hours from Melbourne (596km) and 3 hours from Canberra (241km). Buses are available from all three cities. You can also fly via Rex Airlines from Sydney and Melbourne with regular flights offered by the airline. Merimbula is on the beautiful Sapphire Coast of NSW, an area of pristine beaches and stretches of sand which merge with rolling foothills and National Parks. Although this is the smallest of the coastal shires, it has an extremely diverse variety of scenery including spectacular coastline, beautiful lakes and rivers, lagoons and inlets, quaint rural villages, historic towns and wilderness and visitors will enjoy a wide variety of experiences during their stay. Merimbula is a 20 minute drive to Eden and spectacular Twofold Bay. To the West is the beautiful Bega Valley and Bega is just a 30 minute drive. Travel North to Tathra and Bermagui along the coast road offering breathtaking coastal scenery and travel back to Merimbula on the inland road and enjoy the lush hills and mountains. All this and much, much more can be done in a relaxing easy drive with Merimbula as your central point.

Where is Penguin Mews?

We are on the town side of Merimbula on Beach Street overlooking the lake and we are just 100 metres from the centre of town. The shops, cafes, restaurants, clubs and churches are all a very easy walk away. Penguin Mews is right on the lake's edge and has stunning views over the lake, beach and ocean.

Are there flights and hire cars available?

Rex Airlines offer flights from Melbourne and Sydney and the airport is just a 5 minute drive away from Penguin Mews. Buses are available from Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne. Complimentary transfers are offered to and from the airport and bus terminal. Hire cars and minibuses are available for hire from several companies including Europcar, Hertz, Sapphire Self Drive and Troy's Hire. Just ask Lynda for details when you make your booking. Taxis and country buses are also available.

What facilities do you have within the complex?

We have a large solar heated, saltwater swimming pool and a separate toddlers pool. We have a table tennis room and 2 b-b-qs in a lovely garden setting.

Is there any entertainment provided locally?

Our clubs, the Lakeview Hotel, the Merimbula Wharf Restaurant, Wheelers Seafood Restaurant and other restaurants, as well as the pubs in Pambula and Tura all provide music and entertainment at various times.

What clubs are there in the area?

There is the Merimbula RSL Club (1 minutes walk), the Merimbula bowling Club (5 minutes walk) the Tura Beach Country Club (5 minutes drive) and the Pambula Merimbula Golf Club (5 minutes drive). All the clubs have restaurant facilities and offer courtesy buses to and from Penguin Mews. Most also offer free child minding.

Food, wine and events?

Merimbula clubs, cafes and restaurants offer a range of cuisines and choices to suit all tastes. Select from first class cafes, restaurants and clubs, featuring cosmopolitan menus. Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Malaysian, Italian and more are all on offer. Seafood is a specialty of the area with local oysters a popular choice. Relax and take in the view over the Merimbula Lake and out to the Pacific Ocean as you savour the taste of delicious fresh seafood and local wine. There are many events held during each month of the year and there is sure to be something to attract your interest. The Bermagui Seaside Fair is held every March and in October, you can enjoy the many events at the three day Eden Whale Festival with a lot of fun for the whole family at both events. During the June long week-end the town celebrates with a Jazz Festival popular with enthusiasts from all over Australia. November sees Merimbula hosting the Mambo Festival which is a very popular event drawing competitors for surfing and kite-boarding from all over the world. Or you can enjoy a race meeting at the Sapphire Coast Turf Club for an interesting and entertaining day out.

Can we buy seafood locally?

There is a large range of fresh seafood available from several outlets locally and you can also buy mussels straight from the boat in Eden (they supply Eden's famous mussels to Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra).

How far are the beaches?

We have many beaches with different aspects so you can always find a lovely spot close by even on a windy day. There are many beaches to be enjoyed around Merimbula. Mitchies Jetty and Spencer Park are calm and ideal for families with small children as they form part of the lake foreshore. There are many beautiful pristine, secluded beaches to be found all along the Sapphire Coast wherever you choose to go. Short Point, Main Beach and the Bar are for those who prefer the waves and have packed the board and want to surf the holiday away. The Pambula River mouth is also a very special place. No matter where the wind is coming from or what the conditions are you can find a spot out of the wind with stunning coastal views.

Are there fishing charters available?

There are several charter companies operating locally offering fishing charters - game, reef and deep sea fishing are all available. You can also fish directly in front of Penguin Mews in the lake (lovely Whiting), also at the jetty, the wharf and many other spots around the lake. There is estuary, offshore, rock and beach fishing all within easy reach. Merimbula is famous for its beautiful coastal waterways where boating and fishing are favourite pastimes with tourists and locals alike. Hire a tinny or a motor boat and take the family fishing in the lake or perhaps book aboard one of the fishing charters and head out through the Bar to explore the stunning coastline and experience reef, deep sea or game fishing. You will enjoy a great experience with the fishing licence, bait and tackle taken care of by the charter company. You may even catch a glimpse of a whale, dolphin or penguins. Fishing fans are well catered for with boat hire, ramps and other facilities all close by. Perhaps fishing off the beach is more your style, if so, cast a line, soak up the sunshine and admire the scenery. The sapphire coast encompasses an area from Bermagui in the north to Eden in the south and along this section of coastline we are blessed with numerous estuaries, beautiful beaches, rugged headlands and close proximity to the edge of the continental shelf. Both Merimbula and Pambula lakes are great locations to target all the species that inhabit the south coast estuaries and a wide variety of methods will take them. With a long season and a wide range of game fish species available it is little wonder that this area is acknowledged nationally as one of the best.

Are there cruises available?

Dolphin cruises, whale watching and Sinbad River and Lake lunch and dinner cruises are available in Merimbula and Pambula. On the bay cruises you'll probably also see dolphin, seals and maybe a Fairy penguin or two. Eden (20 mins away) has the Twofold Bay Discovery Cruise where you'll see the mussel farms, the naval wharf, historic sites and beautiful scenery.

Can we hire a boat?

Boat hire is available at the local jetty just 5 mins walk away, from Merimbula Top Lake Boat Hire and from Bega River Boat Hire at Kalaru.

Are there wineries in the area?

We have several wineries in the area including Mimosa Wines in Bermagui, Fruit Ballad Country Wines in Quaama and also a winery in Tilba.

What about golf and bowls?

Golfers and bowlers are very well taken care of in the region. Whether it's a social nine holes, a full corporate golf day or a relaxing game of bowls the Merimbula area offers golfers and bowlers championship courses and greens that are the envy of many. There are a total of eight quite different golf courses in the area, all an easy drive from Merimbula. Pambula Merimbula Golf Club boasts the only 27 hole course on the Sapphire Coast. The beautiful succession of fairways and subtle greens are surrounded by bushland with views to the Merimbula Lake. Resident kangaroos are in abundance keeping a watchful eye on the shots being played. Tura Beach Country Club has million dollar views over the Peter Thompson designed course out to the Pacific Ocean. Meander around the course enjoying the natural beauty and scenic waterways. The golf clubs host many tournaments and carnivals. Merimbula Imlay Bowling Club is situated right in the heart of Merimbula. After a morning of wandering the shops stroll up to the Bowling Club for a bite to eat and a game of bowls on one of the four first class greens.

Is it possible to take a scenic flight?

Merimbula Air Services offer scenic flights and the coast looks absolutely stunning from the air. During whale watching season (Sept to November) you will probably also see whales. Helicopter joy flights are also available.

What else is there around the local area for the children and families?

Merimbula lake offers swimming, fishing, boating, wind-surfing and relaxing walks. Panoramic views and lakeside strolls are all part of the holiday experience. Hire a canoe or a kayak or try snorkeling or scuba diving. For the children there is Magic Mountain, Potoroo Palace, a native animal education sanctuary, Top Fun, go-carting, horse riding kite flying, and our wonderful aquarium to visit. The aquarium has 27 tanks with some very interesting inhabitants and also a large ocean tank where you can watch a wide variety of fish. Hire a bike, a boogie board or surfboard or try some surfing lessons. There is a wealth of history to de discovered in the villages and towns. In the Old School Museum in Merimbula you will discover things from days gone by that will amaze you. The Eden KillerWhale Museum offers insights into the area's whaling past and the Bega Heritage Centre and cheese factory is also a must to see, taste the famous Bega cheese and learn about the art and history of cheesemaking in the Bega Valley, a beautiful natural area of rolling hills with mountain backdrops. Bega Pioneers Museum is definitely also worth a visit with a wealth of interesting items, local history and stories for the interested. Visit an art gallery or a winery, there is a wealth of unique talent and a wide range of choices of original artwork on offer or wander around an award winning nursery and listen to their resident frogs. Browse around the shops, boutiques, galleries and gift stores or enjoy the many markets in the area. Catch up with the latest movies at the cinema or relax at a cafe and enjoy watching the world go by or enjoy some entertainment, raffles, bingo or a meal at one of the clubs. Experience an oyster farm tour and see how they are grown and purified, watch them being opened and maybe even sample a few, they are delicious. There's never a chance to be bored with whale watching, river and scenic cruises, diving, fishing, snorkeling, swimming and surfing. Explore the many National Parks or try a wide range of walks to suit all levels, brochures are available at the local Visitors Information Centres or from the National Parks & Wildlife Service office in Merimbula. Play golf, bowls or tennis. Experience a scenic flight either in a plane or a helicopter. Discover the many cafes and restaurants or enjoy the hospitality of the local clubs or try Merimbula Lake's famous oysters. Pack a picnic and head off to the many scenic spots available for an enjoyable time or buy some fresh seafood and wander down to the lake and watch the pelicans and the large variety of birds that visit Merimbula at different times of the year. Whether you want to enjoy beach combing or fishing, body boarding or skate boarding, fossicking or skydiving, photography or trail bike riding, it is all available and so much more. Between November and April you can enjoy prawning in Merimbula Lake as the prawns make their way out to the ocean and the lake takes on the appearance of a fairyland when torches and lanterns reflect across the water. From September to November take a trip out to see the magnificent Humpback Whales on their migration back down the coast to the Antartic. The sight of one of these magnificent animals with a calf beside them will remain with you long after the holiday is over. Other species seen are Right Whales, Killer Whales and the rare Blue Whales. During recent years, large pods of whales have been sighted with mothers and calves coming in close to Merimbula and even spending a resting period in the bay. Whales can easily be sighted from many vantage points around the area. Whether you want an action packed holiday or you just want to relax and wind down, Merimbula and the Sapphire Coast is the ideal location for your holiday.

Are there parks or playgrounds close by?

Spencer Park and playground (they also have b-b-qs) is just a 5 minute level walk away and there is a children's playground just 50 metres away next to the visitors information centre.

What sporting activities are available?

Merimbula is popular for fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving, windsurfing, kiteboarding, bike riding, bush walking and just walking! Merimbula is one of the best places in Australia for water sports with a mild climate all year round, crystal clear waters and plenty of things to see under the waves (including juvenile tropical fish that wander away from the East Australia Current and end up here). The boardwalk is a beautiful place to walk along the edge of the lake and enjoy spectacular scenery and bird and wildlife. You can skate or hire bikes and go on a bike trail, go to a gym, fly a kite or go sea kayaking. You can play croquet, bocce or golf and mini-golf, play tennis or bowl. You can hire surfskis, body boards and wet suits or go horse riding at one of several locations to enjoy the great outdoors.

Are there National Parks in the area?

Merimbula is surrounded by bushland, forest and National Parks, each one unique, easily accessible and offering a truly special wilderness experience and some offering outstanding old-growth forest. The National Parks of the Sapphire Coast are very special areas of great beauty. See sheer cliffs, rock orchids and wildlife. Explore the many varied parks from Mimosa Rocks National Park just North of Tathra to Ben Boyd and Mount Imlay South of Eden. There are lagoons ideal for swimming and canoeing, bird watching, picnicking, hiking, historic sights, beautiful hidden beaches and rugged coastline. Join their seasonal Discovery Tours or visit some of the historic sites. The National Parks and Wildlife Service office on Merimbula Drive is also worth a visit with maps and information available. Walking opportunities are endless ranging from short walks around town, the boardwalk which offers a chance to see the abundant birdlife and also the beautiful scenery of the lake and the hills, to walks through the coastal bushland from beach to beach. Wander the marked trails at Bournda National Park and be amazed at the abundance of native flora and wildlife.

I want a relaxing holiday, any suggestions?

There are several places locally that offer massage, yoga, reiki, body hydrating treatments, meditation, beauty treatments such as facials, manicures and pedicures so that you can relax and pamper yourself on your holiday. Or just read a book relaxing beside the pool or on one of the beautiful local beaches. Mandeni Needlecraft offer day classes if you feel you want to do something new.

Are there other things we should see in the area?

Take the scenic drive along the coast road to Tathra and Bermagui for stunning scenery, pristine beaches and estuaries, inspiring art and local food and wine. Stop at Tathra to visit the Bega Dried Foods to see dried fruit in production (their fruit is being exported to Europe and is sold in David Jones stores). Sample the delicious healthy fruit and enjoy a great coffee or meal while relaxing with spectacular ocean views. Drop into Georgina's Cucina which offers Tuscan baked cuisine using fresh local produce or sample the delicious fresh, home made gelati in Bermagui. To fully appreciate the nature of our coastline take a stroll in the forest or on the beach. Drive back to Merimbula on the inland route and stop at Cobargo to see the leather and pottery shops and other crafts on offer. There is really so much to see and do it's impossible to list it all!

Are there annual events we could enjoy?

The Merimbula Jazz Festival is held every June long weekend with bands coming from all over Australia to participate. Bermagui has an annual Seaside Fair in March and Eden has the Whale Festival with lots of fun for everyone in October each year. There is also the very colourful Mambo surf festival each November.

What markets are in the area?

1st Saturday of the month - Eden/ 1st Sunday of the month - Candelo/ 2nd Saturday of the month - Old Bega Hospital/ 2nd Sunday of the month - Pambula/ 3rd Friday of the month - Bega Farmers Market/ 3rd Saturday of the month - Pambula Town Hall/ 3rd Sunday of the month - Merimbula Seaside/ 4th Saturday of the month - Cobargo/ 4th Sunday of the month - Wyndham/ Last Sunday of the month - Bermagui

What galleries are there in the local area?

Klobasart - Shop 5 Centre Mall, Merimbula/ Wisteria House- Park Lane, Merimbula/ Toad Hall - On the roundabout, Pambula/ Coast Seaside Gallery - Shop 12, Merimbula Sq, Merimbula/ Anna Warren - 3 Phillips St, Eden/ Art Essence Gallery - 47 Toalla St, Pambula/ Village Gallery - 33 Quondola St, Pambula/ Boardwalkart - 7 Bodalla Pl, Merimbula/ Narek Galleries - 1140 Tathra-Bermagui Rd, Tanja/ Bilyara Gallery - 89 Wallagoot Lane Eaglerock Stained Glass - 15 Bega St, Tathra/ Bega Valley Regional Gallery - Zingal Place, Bega/ Spiral Gallery - 47 Church St, Bega/ Valley Originals - Old Bega Hospital, Princes Hwy, Bega/ Ivy Hill - 1795 Tathra/Bermagui Rd, Wapengo/ Wapengo Art Studio - 2109 Tathra-Bermagui Rd, Wapengo/ Amanda's of Mogo - 52 Princes Hwy, Mogo/ Peter Dunne - 2/101 Pacific Way, Tura Beach/ Working Wood - Princes H/wy, Cobargo/ Bermagui Mudworks - 23 Alexander Dr, Bermagui

Are there nurseries and gardens we can visit?

Kangarutha Nursery - Evans Hill, Tathra/ The Thyme Garden Gallery -? Sapphire Coast Dr, Tura Beach/ The Spires Nursery - Corkhill Dr, Tilba Tilba/ Foxglove Spires Open Garden - Corkhill Dr, Tilba Tilba/ Simply Succulents - 47 Government Rd, Eden/ Eden Garden Centre - 56 Princes Hwy, Eden/ Le Ander - Tilba Rd, Bermagui/ Riverview Nursery, Brogo