Tucked away at the back of South Durras, NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort packs everything into a small and picturesque space. Its crescent of beach looks out to sea but also onto a headland to the north, which makes for beautiful sunset photos. Kangaroos and other macropods enjoy feasting on the grass and Norfolk Island pine needles that carpet the foreshore. Clustered around the park’s southern end are a swimming pool, games room, a takeaway shop, bistro and bar. Ample seating makes it a pleasant place to discuss the day ahead over breakfast or lunch.

When it was founded almost 30 years ago, Mogo Zoo set new standards for what a small privately operated zoo could be. It’s not so small anymore, having expanded at intervals over the years, and it’s undergoing another metamorphosis, with renovations on a number of enclosures. It’s an altogether more relaxed and less tiring experience when the mercury isn’t up over 30°C.

Amooran Oceanside Apartments are set into one of Narooma’s foothills and the east-facing rooms have an unobstructed view over to Montague Island. It’s also a downhill stroll to the Narooma Golf Club, which makes the makes the decision on where to have dinner infinitely easier.

A dog-friendly accommodation, Oakleigh Farm Cottages has a history dating back to the 19th century. The spacious, country-style cabins are perched on expansive hillside lawns in an enviable eyrie with views to Montague Island. A communal hut has table tennis, a yawning fireplace, cosy lounges and a barbecue and BYO bar area. Oakleigh is also a working sheep farm. Friendly horses Charmer (an ex-racehorse) and Tex (a spotted horse that looks like he’s never even seen a racetrack) are in the next paddock and will entertain a pat, especially around breakfast time. Chooks are let out of their pen each morning and come running up to our cottage, clucking and pecking at the grass.

Simply getting to Bermagui is half the fun – whether you approach from the north or south, you have to follow a tourist drive with quaint bridge crossings, spectacular Bega Valley vistas and the occasional sea view. Once you arrive, head for Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf – a retail space that is proof a seaside town can be developed without losing its cosy seaside demeanour. Housed within its impressive timber structure is a boutique ice cream parlour, clothes shops, Asian and Italian restaurants, and the ‘HarBar’. Its frontage overlooks the Bermagui River, with clear waters full of fish. Also worth seeing in ‘Bermi’ is the historic Blue Pool, a seawater pool that was constructed in the 1930s under the auspices of philanthropist and resident Bill Dickinson. It underwent major renovations in 2011 and is well worth a photo, even if it’s too cold for a swim.

Until recently, Tathra was familiar to mountain bikers, holidaymakers, and pretty much no one else. It hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons back in March, when the town came under threat from bushfire and subsequently affected tourism, with some business owners believing the town is doing about half the business it normally would. A total of 66 homes were lost to the bushfire, and more than 150 were damaged in the blaze, including an old motor park that was entirely destroyed.

When it comes to luxury cabins, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere better than NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort. The clifftop ocean condo is palatial, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a gas fireplace in the living room. In fact, ‘cabin’ is a misnomer; it’s a house that happens to be in a holiday park. You’ll be glad of your NRMA Membership discount, especially in the high season, but in the cooler months it feels well worth the outlay