Literally my first ever stay in the south coast and I have already fallen in love with this place. It is absolutely fantastic. Bill is very humorous and a great guide to the town. Rooms were spotlessly cleaned and has the best view.

I intended to stay 3 days, 15-18 June 2020. I loved Merimbula and Norfolk Pine so much I stayed 2 weeks and departed 29 June 2020. I had 2 big overseas trips booked this year and of course I was heartbroken I could not go BUT the South Coast of NSW is spectacular. It has to be one of the best kept secrets in Oz. Bill's motel is on top of the hill overlooking the whole district. Sunrise on one side. Sunset on the other. Glorious views over the whole of Top Lake. The squad of kangaroos comes into the garden every afternoon around 4pm in winter. I was just in heaven. I can imagine having a sunset BBQ in summer would be superb. The rooms are really neat and well kept. Everything worked just fine. Plenty of hot water. Nice cosy electric blanket. I am definitely coming back when it gets warmer. FYI - best and fastest walk from town to motel is up Monaro Street - less steep and a few minutes faster than Merimbula Drive - takes 20 mins from bus terminal to motel but it is still steep - I would pre-book taxi if you have luggage. Thank you Bill and Robyn for your wonderful hospitality.

Tips - Cranky Cafe on Main Beach has BEST egg and bacon roll I have ever eaten. BEST coffee and raspberry/white chocolate muffin I have ever eaten at Mitchies Jetty Cafe. McDonalds Merimbula has one of the best lunch views in town but you have to fight the kids for a window table or get there early.

If you are are a nature lover, the walking track from Spencer Park to Bar Beach and The Wharf Restaurant has just gob-smacking views of the area.

Make sure you go to Pambula River Mouth for the most beautiful crystal clear water and spectacular natural scenery. You can actually walk approx 7km along the beach from Pambula back to Mitchies Jetty. You can take the bus to Pambula at 8.25 or 9.43am and walk all the way back. It was great!

And FYI - I thought Merimbula was BEST town to stay at as it was larger and had more offerings. From there you can do day trips to Eden, Bermagui and Narooma - all doable by bus if you need to - see Premier Motor Service. Bus departs around 6.30am and you can come back around 5pm. It works out well. Eden and Bermagui were great and beautiful, but small towns and personally, I wouldn't stay there - I don't think there are enough entertainment options albeit Bermagui Pub for sunset drinks on the terrace is amazing - and I mean AMAZING SUNSET views.

Narooma was also fantastic. I saw at least 12 fur seals less than 20m from me on the rockwall near Australia Rock (Wagonga Head) and then if you walk around the perimeter of the Golf Course you will see the most jaw-dropping scenery you could imagine including a huge grotto with aquamarine blue blue water. Amazing. Lunch at Quarterdeck was also an amazing highlight - a quirky, cool, Hawaiian/Blues venue on a wharf on the lake in Narooma. I went twice!

My second stay and the room was once again immaculate. Clean, fresh and very comfortable bed, bedding and plenty of hot water. It is a two minute drive or 15-20 minute walk for shopping, restaurants and clubs. Friendly staff and a gorgeous view out over the lake, will stay again.