Shoalhaven: 6 of the area's most delightful spots to support after the bushfires

The towns and villages of the Shoalhaven have a well-earned reputation as a magnet for holidaymakers wanting to unplug from the stresses of big city life.

It’s hard to choose where to start, from the sparkling beaches to the shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants, adventure sports and cellar doors.

While some towns and much of the bushland are in recovery mode after the devastating Currowan fire, most towns escaped direct damage.

“Recovery is a long game and we need our visitors back more than ever,” says Rob Crow, chair of the Shoalhaven Tourism Advisory Group.

Berry

Distance: 142 kilometres south of Sydney, 214 kilometres north-east of Canberra, 806 kilometres north-east of Melbourne

Renowned for: Foodie scene, homeware stores and heritage charm

Even the name Berry sounds delectable. This pint-sized village punches above its weight.

While architecture buffs can spend hours admiring the 19th century buildings, travellers with a more epicurean bent can indulge in an array of fine food offerings, including Milkwood, II Locale Gelato Cafe and Silos Estate. Leon Maxwell comes from a long line of jam makers.

With his wife Karin, he owns The Treat Factory and The Dairy Bar. Seating at The Dairy Bar overlooks the lush paddocks of a neighbouring dairy, which supplies the milk and cream to the bar.

“You can be drinking a milkshake looking over the deck watching the cows. If you’re talking about carbon miles, you don’t get past 100 metres,” says Maxwell.

Berry wasn’t directly in the line of the bushfires, but businesses took a hit as tourists avoided the region. Now that most of the Shoalhaven region is welcoming visitors again, Berry is the perfect stop on a road trip.

It is also an antique-lover’s paradise, with treasures at Broughton Antiques & Collectables and Mrs Red’s Shed & Co Emporium. Elsewhere, browse art galleries, homewares stores and markets. Holiday accommodation ranges from camping at the Berry Showground Campsite to a range of luxurious retreats.

Kangaroo Valley

Distance:  157 kilometres south of Sydney, 193 kilometres north-east of Canberra,786 kilometres north-east of Melbourne

Renowned for: A romantic bridge and creative heart

Is there a more Australian-sounding place name than Kangaroo Valley? The tiny town, which boasts the oldest suspension bridge in Australia, sits along the Kangaroo River, between Nowra and Moss Vale.

In early January, fire destroyed vast swathes of farming land on the western fringe of the valley. Homes, farm buildings and animals were lost. Despite widespread damage to nearby bushland, the township of Kangaroo Valley survived and locals are eager to welcome visitors back.

At Kangaroo Valley Woodcrafts, Gavin Robinson makes rocking horses from scratch.

“We take timber right from urban salvaged logs, dry them and make horses from them,” he says.

Robinson says while many of the bush trails were burnt out, some remain open. Even with a limited range of nature activities, there’s plenty to do in the centre of town. Kangaroo Valley Harvest is a smallscale market garden.

Get your antiques and collectables fix at The Nostalgia Factory, stock up on plants at The Village Green Nursery or find jewellery, ceramics and pottery at Quirky Bird.

Many of the hotels, guest-houses, B&Bs and holiday homes pay homage to the valley’s farming heritage. Options include The Heavens Mountain Escape for couples and Big Bell Farm holiday cabins, with cows, calves, horses and miniature goats, for families.

Shoalhaven Heads

Distance: 147 kilometres south of Sydney, 210 kilometres north-east of Canberra, 820 kilometres north-east of Melbourne

Renowned for: Water sports and wineries

The Shoalhaven River rises from the Southern Tablelands, flowing north through farmland near Braidwood before working its way down towards Nowra and out into the Tasman Sea.

The laid-back village of Shoalhaven Heads occupies a prime position at the mouth of the river, ensuring visitors can enjoy the best of both (river and beach) worlds.

Seven Mile Beach tempts beachlovers with its broad sweep of fine white sand, stretching from Shoalhaven Heads north to Gerroa. Holidaymakers are spoilt for choice with places to swim, fish, picnic or just stroll the beautiful coastline.

Shoalhaven Ski and Wake School caters to thrill-seekers keen to set their pulses racing. Or relax the pace with 18 holes at Shoalhaven Heads Golf Club, followed by a drink at the clubhouse.

Bangalay Luxury Villas is a collection of private villas with golf course or garden views. The on-site restaurant, Bangalay Dining, showcases local produce including oysters, beef and native Australian ingredients.

Michelle Bishop, general manager at Bangalay, says families love the fact they can stay somewhere with daily housekeeping, a BMX track opposite, a corner shop down the road and easy access to the beach.

“They can walk to the pool or borrow one of our beach trolleys to load up and take down to the patrolled beach, less than 200 metres away,” Bishop says.

Some of the most interesting dining options are attached to nearby wineries. Coolangatta Estate is perhaps the best known. Meanwhile Mountain Ridge Wines is generating buzz for its outstanding food and wine, knockout views and sustainable approach.

Jervis Bay

Distance: 198 kilometres south of Sydney, 222 kilometres north-east of Canberra, 854 kilometres north-east of Melbourne

Renowned for: White sand and whale watching

According to an urban legend that made its way around the globe, Jervis Bay – Hyams Beach, specifically – has the whitest sand in the world.

Various fact-checkers have debunked this theory over the past few years. What isn’t disputed, however, is the fact this stretch of the South Coast and the tiny villages scattered like so many jewels along its shoreline are a sensational holiday destination blessed with natural beauty. And really, really white sand.

Thankfully, the ferocious firestorm didn’t skip the highway this far north, meaning Callala Bay, Huskisson, Vincentia and Hyams Beach are still their sparkling selves. The only thing missing has been a full summer’s worth of tourists to enjoy all the area has to offer.

Both on the water and below the surface, visitors can take in the bay’s rich marine life. Hop on a cruise or hire a kayak to get up close with bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, penguins and – from about May to November – migrating whales.

Jervis Bay marine park is one of the top dive destinations in Australia. Try Dive Jervis Bay and Crest Diving for diving and snorkelling adventures.

On land, Aboriginal rangers lead tours through botanic gardens in the coastal Booderee National Park, where bushland walking tracks give visitors a chance to glimpse native animals in their natural habitat. Jervis Bay Maritime Museum in Huskisson showcases the region’s seafaring heritage. And if all that sightseeing is making you hungry, head to The Quarters just off the main strip.

Further south, Vincentia’s highlights include Blenheim Beach and Orion Beach. Or make like a local and take the kids to the indoor waterslide at the Bay and Basin Leisure Centre. 

Accommodation includes beachside cottages, holiday houses and campgrounds.

Milton

Distance: 218 kilometres south of Sydney, 203 kilometres north-east of Canberra, 851 kilometres north-east of Melbourne

Renowned for: Boutiques and old-school streetscape

Impossibly beautiful farmland surrounds the small town of Milton, about five minutes’ drive west of Mollymook and Ulladulla.

The historic township wasn’t damaged in the recent bushfires, though several towns to the north and south and vast sections of property inland were decimated.

Founded in 1860, Milton is renowned for its heritage streetscape, where upmarket clothing and homewares boutiques are housed in buildings dating from the late 1800s.

Travellers from Sydney and Canberra have long recognised the town’s appeal as a picturesque pitstop. Over the past few years, seachangers have also joined the club. The result? A surge in classy dining options, as well as street after street of gorgeously renovated cottages – many of which are available as holiday accommodation.

Two off-the-charts Instagrammable places for travellers to stay are The Loft and The Stables at The Old Schoolhouse Milton – stylishly renovated spaces on the grounds of a historic property.

Foodies will be impressed by the cafe and restaurant scene in town and within easy driving distance. Small Town Food + Wine, Flour Water Salt, The Guild and Milk Haus are some of the best. Cupitt’s Estate, between Ulladulla and Milton, is a long-lunch haven. Don’t forget your Esky to stock up on wine, beers and cheese.

Other highlights include the Milton Theatre, Millhouse Gallery and retro delights at Turnbull Bros and Marlborough Antiques.

Mollymook and Ulladulla

Distance: 223 kilometres south of Sydney, 199 kilometres north-east of Canberra, 830 kilometres north-east of Melbourne

Renowned for: Beach life and fishing

Some travellers have indulgence in mind. Others have an appetite for adventure. Others still would prefer to spend their well-earned break getting sand between their toes and saltwater on their togs.

The South Coast holiday towns of Mollymook and Ulladulla offer all this. And then some.

Mollymook is home to a pictureperfect beach with spots to please everyone from young families to snorkellers and experienced surfers. Narrawallee Inlet and the Bogey Hall are outstanding for visitors with small children.

Accommodation spans the gamut from caravan parks to holiday units, contemporary beach houses and the sumptuous rooms at Bannisters.

The acclaimed Rick Stein at Bannisters showcases local seafood and seasonal produce.

A few clicks south is the bigger town of Ulladulla, a fishing port since the mid-1800s. It’s not hard to find fresh oysters, prawns or fish and chips – just head down to the Fishermen’s Co-Op at the wharf.

Dolphin-watching tours run all year round. Whale watching is best in July and August as they migrate north, then October and November for the return leg with their calves.

When it’s too cold or wet for a day at the beach, take in a movie at Arcadia Cinemas or a retro arcade game at Funland Ulladulla.