Murramarang Beachfront Nature Resort, Bayandah review: Roos with a view

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This was published 11 years ago

Murramarang Beachfront Nature Resort, Bayandah review: Roos with a view

Hop, skip and a plunge: The waterside cabins.

Hop, skip and a plunge: The waterside cabins.

The day Natasha Wallace's husband took on a cranky local is the stuff of holiday legend.

Family holidays that come with a unique story tend to be the unforgettable ones; the ones that are relived around the dinner table for years to come.

Like the time my father was admitted to hospital in terrible pain 30 years ago after being pricked on the finger by the spines of a so-called "Happy Moments" fish - otherwise known as a black trevally or black rabbitfish - while fishing from a tinnie at Hervey Bay.

A Mill Beach sunset.

A Mill Beach sunset.Credit: Nick Moir

So it goes that this south coast beachside sojourn with my own young family will no doubt be remembered not for the stunning ocean view from our verandah, but as the time Daddy tried to beat up the kangaroo with his camera strap. But, more on that later.

When we pulled up at the large Murramarang Beachfront Nature Resort in South Durras, north-east of Batemans Bay, a mob of 30 or so kangaroos stopped grazing and stared at us, much to our daughters' amusement.

Before long, I was floating in the sapphire-blue waters surrounded by sandstone cliffs, with a direct line of sight across a very short stretch of sand to our two-bedroom villa, and I already knew I would be booking for next summer.

"Mum, I love this place sooo much, I want to live here forever 'til I die," declared our six-year-old, Cleopatra.

The unassuming grey cabin-like structures are akin to modern apartments, with high windows drawing plenty of light. There's a compact living area with a table for four, a comfy couch, and a clean, white kitchen with a large fridge and cooktop, but no oven. Both bedrooms are carpeted and tastefully furnished, and each has a large bathroom, with a bath and shower in the kids' en suite.

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The kangaroos appeared friendly, and the kids patted them whenever we wandered by their main patch. But when two came up to our verandah and my husband, Nick, fed them lettuce, things got crazy.

The bigger one (possibly the mother) turned on our four-year-old, Violet, and brought her to the ground by the head with both paws. I jumped, screaming, from the verandah and it hopped away.

Violet was not hurt but my husband followed her attacker and gave it a good flick over the head with his camera strap. Next thing, we had ringside seats to a boxing match between Daddy and Mama Kangaroo. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

And then we ate The restaurant and bar area around the pool seemed a world away from our cabin - it was heaving with mums and dads drinking and eating pizza, and with kids squealing and splashing about on floating lounges in the large, palm-fringed pool.

The menu had reasonably priced basic pub fare of steak and a selection of local oysters. After downing a couple of $5 international beers, we left just as the karaoke was cranking up. On the way back, we saw a metre-long goanna.

Breakfast, which doesn't start until 8am, is included and is a little disappointing, comprising as it does of just a few basic cereals and pastries.

The deal maker The early-evening view from our villa took in a spectacular blush of crimson sky and the "diamond-sparkle water" - as Violet put it - of pretty Mill Beach through a stand of tall pines. Although the large resort and camp ground were almost fully booked, we often had the beach to ourselves.

The group of about a dozen beachfront villas are close together, but we heard nothing after dark during our four-night stay except waves.

There is a marine park at the other end of the property with another lovely long beach, and there's also direct access to Murramarang National Park, which runs along 44 kilometres of dramatic coastline.

A big drawcard for us was the Kids Club.

Stepping out So we could say we ventured out, we visited nearby Batemans Bay for lunch at the historic waterfront fish and chip shop Innes' Boatshed. Mogo Zoo in the historic goldmining village is nearby, and there are numerous snorkelling and fishing spots along the coast.

VISITORS' BOOK

Murramarang Beachfront Nature Resort

Address Banyandah Street, South Durras.

The verdict Among the best family-friendly beachfront accommodation on the south coast.

Price Two-bed beachfront villa $250 (low season) to $550 a night for four, with cheaper/smaller villas; cheaper midweek. Campsites from $25-$95 (en suite) a day.

Bookings 1300 795 813 or 4478 6355, see murramarangresort.com.au.

Getting there South on the Princes Highway for 250 kilometres, left at Durras Road for eight kilometres, then Banyandah Street on left.

Perfect for Making holiday memories.

Wheelchair access In two villas only.

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