Merimbula

Lifestyle & dining

Life in Merimbula revolves around the water. The lake and its boardwalk are the town's social spine, popular for fishing, kayaking and an evening stroll, while the ocean beaches nearby cater to swimmers and surfers alike. The main street and marina precinct are well stocked with cafes, seafood restaurants and pubs that make the most of local oysters and fresh catch, and the town's population swells considerably over summer and school holidays as visitors arrive for the coastal scenery.

It's a town that suits people who want a slower pace without giving up amenity — you can walk from a café breakfast to a boat ramp to a beach in the same morning, and neighbouring communities like Tura Beach add a golf course and further dining options just a short drive away.

Shopping

Merimbula functions as the retail centre for the wider Sapphire Coast, with a compact town centre offering supermarkets, specialty shops, and a good spread of everyday services. For bigger shopping needs, residents also head to nearby Tura Beach, while the surrounding smaller communities of Millingandi, Berrambool and Mirador rely on Merimbula itself for most of their shopping and services.

Getting around

Merimbula Airport offers regular flights to Sydney and Melbourne, a significant drawcard for a town of this size and one that supports both tourism and residents needing to travel for work or family. Locally, the town is easy to navigate by car, with the Princes Highway connecting Merimbula to neighbouring Tura Beach, Millingandi and towns further along the coast.

Public transport is limited compared to metropolitan areas, so most residents rely on cars to get around, and this is a factor worth weighing up for anyone considering a move from a city with train networks and frequent buses.

Schools & families

Merimbula Public School serves local families within the town, and the broader region has a range of educational options across the Sapphire Coast for older students. With a median age of 54, Merimbula's population skews older than many suburbs, which shapes the community feel — quieter streets, an active retiree cohort, and a slower rhythm outside of peak holiday periods, though the lake and beaches remain a drawcard for younger families too.

The property market

Merimbula's property market reflects its popularity as both a lifestyle destination and a holiday hotspot. The median house price sits at $887,000, having grown 3.1% recently, while units and apartments offer a more accessible entry point with a median of $455,000. Median rent across the suburb is $698 a week, underlining solid demand from both permanent residents and the seasonal rental market.

Current listings show a dwelling mix tilted towards apartments and units (44%), followed by houses (39%), with townhouses (8%) and land (10%) making up the remainder — a spread that suits everyone from downsizers and investors chasing holiday rental returns to families after a standalone house near the lake. Buyers looking for larger blocks or new builds often look to neighbouring Tura Beach, Millingandi, Berrambool or Mirador, where land and newer housing stock tend to be more readily available.