There's no better antidote to a long day in the sun than a sundowner (or two), and, perched on the deck of Bermagui's historic Bimbimbi House, I can't think of any place I'd rather be.

Surprisingly, a flick through the Visitors' Book reveals that although it has been a bed and breakfast for almost 15 years, only a handful of Canberrans have bunked down in this gracious home, lovingly hand-crafted in 1940 from timber milled on site. Or if they did, they didn't sign the book. Most of the entries are from international guests, the most famous of these being actor Billy Connolly who hunkered down here in 2001 while filming The Man Who Sued God. As any Aussie film buff worth a grain of salt would know, much of the film, a far-fetched tale about a fisherman (Connolly) who attempts to sue God after his boat was destroyed by lightning and his insurers refuse to pay claiming the destruction as an "Act of God", was filmed in and around the seaside village of Bermagui.

In fact, if it wasn't for the comedy, I wouldn't be here either. At a recent dinner party I was mocked by friends for never having seen the Australian film, so I decided to not only watch it but to top my uber-critical dinner guests by going so in the place where its star honed his lines.

My newlypurchased DVD of the movie is the first thing I unpack from my bag, but I needn't have bothered. There's a copy in the spacious lounge room. "It's easily the most watched DVD among guests," explains my host Bev Bray while pointing to a bookshelf brimming with other titles.

Bev and her husband Peter fondly recall the renowned Scotsman's two-week stay. "We didn't hear Billy reciting his lines, but we did hear him occasionally playing his five-string banjo," recalls Peter who adds, "he was easy to have and didn't even swear much!"

After one last sundowner, I pull up a pew in front of the TV and press play on the DVD player. While it's soon obvious why it didn't scoop the pool at the Academy Awards (let's just say it's a bit slow), The Man Who Sued God, certainly showcases Bermagui, especially its stunning harbour where the opening scene features Connolly's boat being spectacularly struck by lightning.

I eventually drift off to sleep (I did watch it to the end, really I did…) to the sound of the branches of the ginkgo swaying in the breeze outside my window.

The Edna Walling-inspired (Edna was one of Australia's finest landscape designers of the 20th century) gardens are ideal for an early morning stroll with abundant flights of stairs leading to a maze of garden "rooms", nooks and crannies. One path leads to a quaint chook pen housing happy hens and another to a greener than green paddock boasting two grazing sheep; Annie (a merino) and Jingles (a dorper). Yet another passes several old milk cans - a reminder this property was once a dairy.

I'm only overnighting, which is a pity - not because I don't get to watch The Man Who Sued God yet again (oh, joy) but because it's so homely. Much thought has gone into the fittings and furnishings and it really feels like a home to enjoy and cherish, rather than just a house to stay in.

As I bid my farewells, Bev explains the low percentage of guests from Canberra - while she markets to Europeans, the ACT has never figured prominently on her marketing radar. I think this majestic mansion is tailor-made for Canberrans, many of whom have long flocked to the elegant guesthouses of the Southern Highlands and, living in a landlocked territory, also yearned for the beach. Bimbimbi House offers the best of both these worlds - it oozes country charm but is only a two-kilometre stroll (or short drive) from Bermagui's beautiful beaches.

The secret is out. Discover Bimbimbi House before the rest of Canberra does.

Fact file

Bimbimbi House: Nutleys Creek Rd, Bermagui. Includes provisions for a hearty country breakfast with fresh farm eggs, homemade jams and preserves and brewed coffee. Choice of two suites – the 2-bedroom (sleeps up to 5) self-contained Riverview Suite (from $120 to $180 per double) and the quaint 2-bedroom (sleeps 3) Violet Cottage (around $140 per double). Bookings essential: Ph: 02 6493 4456. Web: bimbimbihouse.com.au

Don't miss: The homemade frittata that Bev leaves in your fridge. Oh, and also the fresh croissants from Bermagui's Cream Patisserie (28 Wallaga St) are to die for.

Creepy Face

While Bermagui can rightfully lay claim to some of the south coast's most stunning beachscapes, Mick McKeown reckons this rock at Beauty Point belies the name of its location. If you look at the rock with grass on top of it and cast your eyes towards the centre left, you will see a particularly creepy-looking face, compete with a set of sinister-looking top teeth gazing over the ocean.

Meanwhile, Bermagui's best known simulacra isCamel Rock, which was named by Bass and Flinders during the first mapping of the coastline of the colony of NSW. The volcanic rock outcrop, which resembles a sleeping camel, is a five minute-drive heading north from Bermagui along Wallaga Lake Road. The beach, which also bears its name (also known as northern Haywards Beach), is popular for its surf, snorkelling and fishing. The beach is patrolled during summer and better still, is sheltered if there is a north-easterly wind.

Bass and Flinders weren't the only explorers to "see" even-toed ungulates near Bermagui. In 1770, Captain Cook named the 806-metre mountain, which rises behind the village of Central Tilba and which dominates the landscape for a long stretch of the Sapphire Coast as Mt Dromedary, (also known as Mt Gulaga) as it reminded him of the hump on a camel.

Contact Tim: Email: timtheyowieman@bigpond.com or Twitter: @TimYowie or write to me c/o The Canberra Times 9 Pirie St, Fyshwick. A selection of past columns is available at: canberratimes.com.au/act-news/by/tim-the-yowie-man

Clue: 11 years we will never forget.

Degree of difficulty: Medium

Last week: Congratulations to Gail Tregear of Red Hill who was the first to correctly identify last week's photo, taken by Chris Blunt of Macarthur, as roof tiles of the Crane Viewing Pavilion in the recently opened traditional Chinese Garden at Lennox Gardens. "Roof tile making is a specific craft in both China and Japan," says Gail who recognised the roofline after recently taking a friend on a special trip to see the garden. "I'll have to get her back to Canberra to share my prize," muses Gail.

Gail just beat Brigitte Tabuteau of Bruce to the prize who explains, "the garden is Canberra's centenary gift from the Beijing Municipal Government and was opened earlier this month by our Chief Minister and Australia's Chinese ambassador". The opening also coincided with the 14th anniversary of the signing of our sister city agreement with Beijing.

How to enter: Email your guess along with your name and address to timtheyowieman@bigpond.com. The first email sent after 10am Saturday, November 29, with the correct answer wins a double pass to Dendy cinemas.