It was with a flood of emotions that I touched down in Merimbula, and not because of the 400 millimetres of rain the two days prior. Every September, our family ventured to this coastal beauty on the stunning NSW Sapphire Coast and it’s been 32 years since I was back.

This haven is still tranquil with breathtaking beaches, a slew of events and a thriving food and beverage scene all year round.

Club Sapphire is the heart of the town, with two restaurants, a cocktail bar, live music and world leading lawn bowls facilities.

Rain, hail or shine, barefoot bowls fun is always happening and the club is set to grow even further with a proposed 100 room, 4.5 star hotel with picturesque views of the beaches and to nab some of the lucrative conference market.

Up the road is Dulcie’s House where New York meets Tennessee – an uber cool fit out – and quite a surprise. The original weatherboard cottage built in 1925 has been reimagined into a watering hole that serves cocktails, local wines, spirits and draft beers, from behind a long bar surrounded by taxidermy and bric-a-brac. British Bartender Conner has patrons in the palm of his hand. Try his Tequila  Negroni. All the food is made outside in a retro airstream at the front of the cottage.

Bar Suprette is the other hot wine bar in town. You must book as it’s a small space. Choose wine from their unmatched wine wall and enjoy with some local tapas.

For fine dining, Valentina’s, upstairs on the lake on the main street, is acclaimed the state over. Chef Ashleigh Cotter recently retained his ‘Good Food Guide chef hat’ for this modern and delicious menu. Bookings essential.

Close by is ‘Magic Mountain’ theme park. Open for more than three decades, new rides have just gone in, along with all the regulars including the toboggan ride, water slides and sapphire speedster rollercoaster. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday all year around and extended during school holidays.

The waterways are unmatched – Shore Point has extraordinary swell for surfers of all ages and swimmers alike.

Surfing lessons are for all skill levels or you can hire a kayak across the lake. Whale watching is best from August to November – a once in a lifetime experience.

Main Beach and Bar Beach are best for families, and outside of school holidays, it’s virtually your own. The water temperature and air temperature are the warmest in February and March.

At the end of the day, enjoy the local produced Sapphire Coast Ale made on site at The Longstocking Brewery or sample the region’s award winning Nine Circles Pink Gin.

Once just a school holiday town, Merimbula now has extraordinary year around activities from the annual Jazz festival, Eat Festival, the new mountain bike trail from Eden and the 27 kilometre wharf to wharf walk through the Bournda National Park.

Merimbula Wharf has unparalleled views of the sunset from the restaurant and it’s the perfect spot for a glass of wine and recreational fishing. It’s also the home of the local Aquarium which houses a majority of local marine life from within a 10 km radius and is usually always open.

There are so many places to stay at all price points.

Sea Spray Motel is modern and clean. Hillcrest is on the upper end or choose a cabin on the beach.

Merimbula may be the heart of the Sapphire Coast, but there is no question that even after all these years, it’s still an unmatched gem.