Beautiful beaches with some of the whitest sand in Australia, waterways that glow in the dark, rainforests with trees that pre-date the arrival of Captain Cook, and world-class wineries that tantalise the tastebuds. Welcome to the NSW South Coast! Here is your ultimate must-do list for exploring the unspoilt regions of Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven, and Eurobodalla.
1. Learn to surf
The NSW South Coast is famous for surfing and there’s no shortage of great spots to catch a wave. Former world champion Pam Burridge runs a surf school using some of the best beginner beaches in the Shoalhaven region and offers group classes and private lessons that will have you up and surfing in no time.
For more advanced surfers looking for bigger breaks, there are plenty of choice spots, including The Farm (Killalea) in Shellharbour, Werri Beach in Gerringong, and the Breakwall at Narooma.
2. See and swim with seals
Montague Island in the Eurobodalla region is home to NSW’s largest colony of fur seals and many local tour operators offer daytrips to take you out to the island and even let you go for a swim. The island also has a colony of penguins and depending on the time of year you might even be lucky enough to spot a few whales. If the weather is a little rough or you’re otherwise unable to do a tour, you can still see the fur seals sunning themselves on the mainland along the Narooma Breakwall.
3. Walk on Australia’s whitest sand at Jervis Bay
Starting at Greenfield Beach and taking in Chinamans, Seamans and Hyams beaches, the White Sands Walk is a fantastic way to explore some of the best beaches on the NSW South Coast. Don’t forget to pack your snorkel and flippers, as the snorkelling is great, with plenty of fish just a short swim from shore.
Hyams Beach can get a bit crowded during the summer months, so if you’d like a quiet little patch of paradise all to yourself, the best time to visit is at sunrise. Alternatively, you can check out one of the other 15 beautiful beaches in Jervis Bay, including Hole in the Wall and Murrays Beach.
4. Eat and drink
Fun on the NSW South Coast isn’t just limited to beaches and wildlife – there’s world-class food and wine on offer as well. If you’re an oyster lover, make sure you pop in and visit former world champion oyster shucker Jim Wild’s oyster farm on the banks of the Crookhaven River. There’s no shortage of wonderful wineries either, with Coolangatta Estate – the South Coast’s most awarded winery – at Shoalhaven Heads, Crooked River Wines in Gerringong, and Cupitt’s boutique winery, brewery, fromagerie and restaurant in Ulladulla.
5. Do the Seaspray Tourist Drive
Just north of Narooma, this fun little drive takes in a number of beautiful beaches between Kianga and Dalmeny. There are heaps of lookouts, and from September to November they’re perfect for spotting whales cruising past on their migration. Also nearby is the Mill Bay Walkway, which is a great place to stretch your legs and watch stingrays gliding through the crystal-clear waters of Wagonga Inlet.
6. Go diving or snorkelling
The South Coast is a diving and snorkelling paradise for underwater explorers, especially if you prefer cooler waters. At Shellharbour, Bushrangers Bay’s protected waters are home to soft coral sponges, sea dragons, and crystal-clear underwater views.
At the other end of the South Coast, the stretch between Batemans Bay and Broulee is also great for snorkelling and diving. Total Eco Adventures offer guided tours where you can swim with rays, sea urchins, and sometimes even blue gropers and seals.
7. Zipline through a rainforest
The Illawarra Escarpment is home to the highest zipline tour in Australia and it’s a thrilling way to experience the rainforest from a different perspective. Reaching heights of up to 35m above the rainforest floor, the views are incredible and the guides have a wealth of knowledge about the fascinating wildlife and history of the local area. If you’d like to explore at a more relaxed pace, try the 1.5km Treetop Walk, with views all the way to the coast.
8. Check out the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) Museum
Walk out on the wing of a Boeing 747 and learn all about Australia’s aviation history on a unique tour of the HARS Museum at the Illawarra Regional Airport.
With lots of historic planes and helicopters on display, you can get up close and personal and even sit in a cockpit and handle the controls.
9. Watch water literally sparkle
Not only does Jervis Bay have some of the whitest sand in Australia, but it has some of the most dazzling water too. However, to see it at its magical best, you have to wait until nightfall, when the water literally sparkles. Once the sun goes down, the bioluminescence comes out to play and the shorelines light up with twinkling algae.
This natural spectacle is due to algal blooms and doesn’t happen every night. The best way to predict it is to keep an eye out for red algae in the water during the day. If you spot it, come back to the same area in the evening. The water only sparkles when it’s disturbed, so try throwing some sand or look out for some waves, which will help light up the water.
10. Do the Kiama Coast Walk
Beginning at the mouth of the Minnamurra River and winding along 22km of pristine coastline, the Kiama Coast Walk is a spectacular way to soak up some stunning views and learn a little about the history of the region. The walk is comprised of three parts, which can be done all at once or separately, and one of the most popular stops is the Blowhole, which puts on a fantastic show in the right conditions. Other highlights include the Bombo Headland, Cathedral Rocks, and the terrace houses dating back to the 1880s.
