Holiday houses in Dalmeny

The wild and wonderful South Coast of New South Wales delivers glittering expanses of sea, dramatic rock formations, and some of the whitest sands on the planet. You’ll have all of this and more on your doorstep when you arrive in the pretty seaside hamlet of Dalmeny. This pocket of the Eurobodalla region unites ocean, rivers, forests, and farmland, which not only guarantees some of the state’s freshest seafood — this is part of the state’s official Oyster Coast, after all — but also produce delivered straight to your plate from the surrounding countryside.

The sleepy town itself sits atop two dramatic headlands between Lake Mummuga and Kianga Creek, offering dreamy views across to Montague Island Nature Reserve. This drop of land and its waters are one of Australia’s most significant habitats for seals, sea turtles, and dolphins.

Sand, surf, sun — unsurprisingly, summer is peak season on the South Coast of New South Wales. This is also prime time for Sydney rock oysters, which flourish here over the warmer months. Oysters of various types thrive at all times of year here, though: Pacific oysters can be sampled across the seasons, while angasi are best enjoyed in winter. The cooler months are also ideal for spotting migrating whales, on the move between May and November, as well as for hiking and cycling adventures through the national parkland that surrounds.

Cycling

Bring your own two wheels or rent a bike — the cycling opportunities around Dalmeny are hard to beat. To the north, Mogo State Forest offers more than 14 kilometres (nine miles) of heart-pumping mountain-bike trails, catering to beginners and serious adrenaline junkies. There’s also an expansive trail network through the nearby Bodalla State Forest, just outside the town of Narooma.

Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens

The Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens were created to showcase the diversity of the state’s flora, from plants with significant Aboriginal importance to rare and endangered species. This protected enclave draws animals aplenty, so watch for birds and kangaroos. Each season here brings its own attractions, from spring’s native wildflowers to autumn’s fiery colours.

Montague Island

A mini wildlife reserve, Montague Island is home to hundreds of seabirds and almost as many Australian and New Zealand fur seals. The cruise here from nearby Narooma takes around 20 minutes — time your visit well and you’ll spot not only the sea’s annual residents, but also migrating southern right and humpback whales, which steam up and down the east coast of Australia between May and November every year.