The town is on the Princes Highway (Highway 1) about 280 kilometres
(170 mi) from Sydney, 760 km (470 mi) from Melbourne and 151 km (94 mi)
from Canberra via the Kings Highway. At the 2006 census it had a
population of 10,845. The Clyde River empties here into the Tasman Sea.
It
is the closest seaside town to the city of Canberra, making Batemans
Bay a popular holiday destination for residents of Australia's National
Capital. Geologically, it is situated in the far southern reaches of the
Sydney basin. It is also a popular retiree haven, but has begun to
attract young families seeking affordable housing and a relaxed seaside
lifestyle. Other local industries include a sawmill, oyster farming,
forestry, eco - tourism and retail services
