Barlings Beach Holiday Park

With a legacy stretching back several millennia, the local region of Eurobodalla has unspoilt beaches, islands, rivers and lakes galore. Heritage towns and coastal villages are waiting to be explored, along with vast tracts of nature reserve and wilderness. So what are the highlights? First in line may be feeding kangaroos and joeys at Birdland Animal Park (15 minutes’ drive), getting up close to wombats and wallabies, and strolling forest paths along the waterfront to spot all manner of other native Australian animals, birds and reptiles. For close encounters with endangered African big cats and rhinos, turn inland for a day trip to Mogo Wildlife Park (10 minutes). Protected Montague Island (take a boat ride from Narooma, an hour) has NSW’s most important little penguin and fur seal colonies; it’s home to a landmark 19th-century lighthouse (open for tours) and is also known for its long association with Aboriginal heritage. Learn more about local history at The Original Gold Rush Colony (10 minutes), where life during the 1850s Gold Rush is brought to life as you pan for gold and explore the former gold mine.