Narooma, NSW, travel guide and things to do: Nine highlights

THE ONE BREWERY

Malt Man Eric Blue is serious about beer. The university-qualified brewer opened a craft brewery at his home on the main drag of Bodalla in December 2021. Out back is the brew shed where the magic happens, and up front is a converted house where said magic is served. There are 10 beers on tap, including the Tiny Toro Amber Ale, made with homegrown hops and dedicated to Eric's late dog. Grab a cosy spot on the mezzanine upstairs, with cushions fashioned from malt bags, or head to the sun-dappled beer garden outside.

THE ONE DAIRY

Inventive Australian bush flavours meet Italian tradition at Bodalla Dairy's ice-cream counter. Here, you'll find flavours like Kakadu plum, lemon myrtle and gumleaf-smoked butterscotch, made using authentic Italian techniques and served from a Pozzetti freezer. The family-owned dairy also makes yoghurt and cheese from its unhomogenised "living" milk, and holds twice-daily bottle-feeding sessions with the friesian poddy calves.

See bodalladairy.com.au

THE ONE BOATSHED

By boat is the best way to make an entrance at Tuross Boatshed & cafe. You can putter (or paddle) right up to this rustic family-run cafe and take a seat on the deck leaning out over Tuross Lake. Owners Shannon and Casey Mazurkiewicz serve all-day breakfast, burgers and seafood from the 1930s shed, formerly a dry dock and marine workshop (boats and kayaks are still available for rent). The fish burger – enjoyed with a piccolo of sauvignon blanc – is hard to beat.

See turossboatshed.com.au

THE ONE RESTAURANT

Another standout boatshed conversion is Quarterdeck, an old oyster farmer's shack-turned restaurant and tiki bar, nuzzling Forsters Bay. Tacos, banana daiquiris and snapper ceviche with a zing of jalapeno are staples here. But it's the setting that has diners salivating. A summer evening on Quarterdeck's jetty, with fish darting under your feet and a seal wallowing in the shallows is restaurant theatre at its best.

See merivale.com

THE ONE SEAFOOD STOP

For fresh oysters plucked straight from the water, drive three kilometres along the northern shore of Wagonga Inlet to The Oyster Farmers Daughter. Here, fourth-generation farmer Natasha Clutterbuck has transformed the waterfront alongside her dad's oyster shed into something of a garden party. Wooden cable-wheel tables, umbrellas and stools perched at the water's edge create a delightful ambience. But the seafood, served from a trailer, is the real hero.

See theoysterfarmersdaughter.com.au

THE ONE VILLAGE

In the foothills of Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) lies the National Trust village of Tilba. This late 19th-century time capsule of preserved gold miners' cottages has transformed into an artisan hub. Candy-coloured shopfronts line compact Bate Street, with the 1894 General Store building at one end and Tilba Dairy at the other. In between there's much to titillate the eye, nose and tastebuds – from Tilba Sweet Spot, with more than 500 varieties of lollies, to handmade candles and wax lanterns at Passionfish, to Euman Tea, where you can choose from 200 specialty brews to enjoy in a cuppa on the verandah.

See passionfish.com.au, tilbadairy.com.au

ONE MORE THING

Over-indulged in Tilba? Burn it off on a hike up Gulaga. The 14-kilometre return walk starts near La Galette cafe in the twin village of Tilba Tilba. It's a steep climb up an old mining track to the summit. Enjoy the views on the way up as there are none to speak of at the top, but the hike – through rainforest and past great granite tors – is worth the exertion.

The writer travelled at her own expense.