Road trip Sydney: Guide to a winter weekend away in Shoalhaven, NSW
You don’t need to travel far for coastline hugging vistas, iconic beaches and colourful and character-filled towns and villages. In fact, one free weekend will suffice.
International travel may slowly be creeping in, but if there’s anything the past two-plus years have taught us is that we are spoiled for choice in our own backyard.
Take, for example, the network of towns and villages that make up Shoalhaven in NSW’s south coast.
From coastline hugging vistas, iconic beaches (Hyams Beach needs no introduction), to sweeping mountains and hikes, it’s a roadtrip destination that appeases all. Even better, it’s merely a three-hour drive from Sydney, making it an ideal spot for a day trip or even better – a weekend escape.
Need itinerary inspiration? Here are some tried and tested recommendations, with a few notable extras that have gone straight to the top of the ‘to see’ list.
Friday night – Start the weekend right
Should you be so lucky to have flexible working arrangements, you’d be remiss not to finish your week a few hours early.
The beloved town of Berry is just a two-hour drive from Sydney, with some of the state’s best produce and wines on offer.
The award-winning South on Albany features a chef-curated menu that changes every two weeks. For dessert, local gem Il Locale Gelato is renowned for their icy delights – however they’re also open for dinner for a bistro feed.
With your belly full – and primed for the weekend – you’re ready to check into your accommodation.
The picks are plentiful, with options for all budgets. For a cozy stay that mixes home comfort with luxury touches (and is located just a stone throw from Shark Net Beach), The Villas of Huskisson is a great pick for small groups of up to four people.
Located on 40 acres of bush, The Woods Farm in Jervis Bay, also offers a mix of cottages and glamping options, for a luxury-rustic experience that will leave you refreshed by Monday.
Saturday – Explore the area
Depending on what you want to spend your weekend doing, make Saturday the day you explore the area.
While Shoalhaven is home to 49 towns and villages, they’re close in proximity, with lots to do wherever you go.
These five towns might just scratch the surface of what the region has to offer, but pick a destination and take the long road by visiting all the lookouts, villages and activities in between.
Berry: For a day trip that’s centred on boutique shops, lazy strolls on the main street, lush homewares and historic scenery, the town of Berry will transport you to a bygone era. Highlights include the iconic Berry Doughnut Van and The Treat Factory for your pick of sweets, old-fashioned fudge and lollies.
Kangaroo Valley: While the impact of the heavy rains, severe flooding has impacted tourists visiting the region, the area is very much so back in business. Hiking and canoeing on the Kangaroo River is a popular activity, or spend your time sourcing treasures in the charming handicraft stores and antique shops.
Ulladulla: Lush beaches dominate sleepy coastal town. However, if you’re in the mood for a long lunch or wine-tasting, make sure you work Cupitt’s Estate into your to-do list. Set atop of stunning rolling hills, you’ll feel like it’s just you and the sprawling view in front of you.
Trust this well-versed wine fan, that their Nebbiolo is a smooth, fruity and subtle mix that you’ll want to buy in bulk.
Mollymook: One of Shoalhaven’s southmost towns, Mollymook has recently become a hot spot for well-heeled Sydneysiders. If you’re looking for pampering, Spa By the Sea at Bannisters by the Sea will have you feeling refreshed with a luxurious facial, or massage, followed by a walk by the beach.
The Grotto Walk in North Nowra: For a doable bushwalk that will have you immersed in nature, The Grotto Walk can be done in between brunch and an evening tipple. It takes around 42 minutes to complete, with access to clifftop views, rock formations and a river walk too.
Sunday – Finish your trip with Australia’s best sunrise
For an experience that literally gives you a one-of-kind, and literally otherworldly view of NSW’s south coast, a Sunday snorkelling session is the surprisingly low-effort activity that’s big on impact.
Treat yourself to an adventure at Dive Jervis Bay – however make sure you book into the afternoon session and capitalise on the sunrise.
The boat leaves at roughly 1pm, so you still have your morning free, plus a generous lie in before check out. If you get Huskisson early, treat yourself to a cafe brunch or a peruse of the local boutiques – luckily the beachside strip is filled with both, so there’s a lot on offer.
Once it’s time for the five-hour boat trip, the friendly and knowledgeable team at Dive Jervis Bay will have you feeling confident and excited.
The water may be chilly but there’s still plenty of sea life to see. We saw countless schools of fish and wobbegongs. If you time your trip right, you might even peak a pod of whales or dolphins.
Plus, it just makes that mid-trip hot chocolate and Scotch Finger all that sweeter.
However, it’s the sunrise that truly takes your breath away.
Here on the east coast, sunrises might get more airtime than its twilight sister, but a panoramic view of the sun going down in shimmering waters tinged with amber, gold, Pink and purple, is something else.
More Coverage
Once you return from your trip, there’s just one more thing to do before you call time on your weekend away. Head up the street to Huskisson’s World Famous Fish N Chips (the name says it all), to procure your post-swim, road trip feed.
Will you be able to see all the sights and sounds? Probably not. But that’s just more motivation for another weekend away.
This writer was a guest of Shoalhaven tourism