Jervis Bay Wild
Photograph: Supplied | Jervis Bay Wild
Photograph: Supplied | Jervis Bay Wild

Your ultimate guide to Shoalhaven

This is your sign to turn south onto the A1, and keep driving until you hit the sapphire seas of Shoalhaven

Winnie Stubbs
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The traditional land of the Bhwerawerri, Budawang, Jerrinja, Murramarang, Tomikin, Wandi wandandian, Wodi wodi, Yuin and associated clans, this stretch of rolling hills and stunning coastline a few hours south of Sydney has been a closely guarded secret destination for decades.

While beach towns further north attract the noisy glory as the coastal gems of the NSW coastline 
(Byron Bay, we’re looking at you), the Shoalhaven region has remained a beloved holiday haven for families and groups of friends looking to escape the city, and – in a way – escape from modern life entirely. 

Now though, it’s undeniably on the up – with roadside motels morphing into high-end stays, and low-key pubs becoming award-winning restaurants. But despite the region's ballooning offering, it still feels divinely unspoiled; quietly beautiful and gorgeously unpretentious. 

We’ve put together a guide to the best places to stay, eat, drink and play in this heavenly region that keeps on calling us back.

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Your ultimate guide to Shoalhaven

Getting there

Take the Princes Highway out of Sydney and you’ll arrive in Milton – arguably the historic heart of the region – in just over three hours. You’ll want to make a couple of stops on the way; either for a pie from Hayden’s Pies in Ulladulla, or for some calamari by the ocean from Huskisson’s World Famous Fish N Chips. Otherwise, take an hour or so to explore the idyllic, provincial town of Berry; home to what is arguably the cutest lolly shop in NSW (The Treat Factory), and some reliably excellent purveyors of baked goods; from an artisan sourdough cafe to a retro donut van.

Winnie Stubbs
Winnie Stubbs
Lifestyle Writer
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