Tathra residents said the incoming swell on Saturday was the biggest they'd seen since the 1970 floods and said it had been a "sensational" event to witness.

"It's probably the most powerful swell that I've seen since the mid to late seventies," Bega Valley-based photographer Peter Hannan said.

"The power was just incredible."

Mr Hannan said he visited several different locations on Saturday including Chamberlain Lookout, Tathra Wharf and Short Point Beach, each as "mind blowing" as the next.

"The Chamberlain Lookout was also amazing, watching the waves go up and over the walking track," he said.

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Mr Hannan said he went to capture some pictures of Tathra local and Fat Tony restaurant owner Anthony Little the next day, surfing the swell.

Mr Little said he felt safe enough to ride the swell by Sunday, because it was less ferocious, but also because he knew the beach well and he had his friend Mark Freedman from the Tathra Surf Club watching over him.

"I grew up here living in the water, so I felt pretty comfortable doing it - if there's no risk, there's no reward I guess," he said.

Mr Little agreed Saturday had been the most impressive day of swell he'd ever seen as a Tathra local.

"I heard the swell was building up and I wanted to go for a surf, so I went over for a look Saturday morning but it was pretty obvious that the swell was something I'd never seen before," he said.

Mr Little said growing up in Tathra he'd witnessed many storms over the years, but couldn't fathom how the water could have washed the road away in the 1970s.

"I'd see these storms come through and always thought how could it have washed the road away, it had obviously happened but it was just so hard to comprehend," he said.

Mr Little said he hadn't seen any storms bring the water enough to wash over the road, that was until Saturday morning.

"It was pouring through there and it just goes to show what it must have been like back then."

On Monday April 4, Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) announced they were assessing all affected coastal infrastructure following the extreme weather events over the weekend.

A BVSC spokesperson said the Tathra Wharf is open with access via the public toilet ramp.

"Minor damage to one of the wharf piles will be repaired and cleaning of the debris on the vehicle access side will commence today," BVSC spokesperson said.

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Bega Valley Shire Council has alerted that parking will be restricted to within 50m of the wharf to allow staff and machinery access to the site for clean-up.

The Tathra headland walk will also remain closed between the viewing platform and Tathra Wharf while crews from council assess damage and clean up accordingly.