Oceania : Australia : New South Wales : South Coast
South Coast (New South Wales)
The South Coast region of New South Wales has an interesting rural/tourist mix. The area is rich in rural charm, having a strong dairy industry (and cheese-making in Bega). Most of the coastal areas are popular tourist destinations, especially with weekend visitors from Sydney.
Towns
- Batehaven
- Batemans Bay
- Bega
- Bermagui
- Berry
- Bodalla
- Central Tilba
- Cobargo
- Eden
- Jervis Bay
- Kangaroo Valley
- Merimbula
- Milton (New South Wales)
- Moruya
- Narooma
- Nowra
- Quaama
- Stanwell Tops
- Tathra
- Ulladulla and Mollymook
Other destinations
- Jervis Bay, one of the most beautiful spots on the south coast
- Booderee National Park
- Ben Boyd National Park
- Montague Island
Understand
The south coast of New South Wales is a major local holiday destination and in peak holiday periods the population swells to between more than three times the number of long-term residents.
Two major local government areas administer the region: Eurobodalla Shire to the south and the Shoalhaven Municipality to the north including Nowra. Jervis Bay is a territory of the Commonwealth Government administered separately and housing a naval base.
80% of the Eurobodalla shire is national park or state forest with extensive stands of spotted gum forest.
The coastal region has a reputation for locals who are easygoing and friendly, environmentally conscious and politically liberal.
Get in
You can get to the South Coast by car or train.
By car
If travelling from the Illawarra or Sydney, travel to Wollongong and join the Princes Highway. It will get you to any part of the South Coast or even deposit you in Melbourne if you go far enough.
Be aware that traffic can be very slow around Kiama, south of Wollongong, at the start and end of long weekends or school holidays.
If travelling from Canberra, take the Kings Highway from Queanbeyan to Batemans Bay. The Kings Highway connects to the Princes Highway for access to areas north and south of Batemans Bay.
By train
You can catch a Cityrail train from Sydney Central platforms 4-15, or at Hurstville or Sutherland. You can catch a train as far as Nowra (Bomaderry to be precise, just over the river). Two interesting places the train will take you to are Kiama and Berry.
Get around
The best way to get around is to drive. The Princes Highway travels the length of the South Coast and most places aren't far from it.
See
- Before you drive down Mount Ousley pass, stop to look out over Wollongong and the ocean from the top of the Escarpment
- Hanging Rock lookout in Nowra
- Bega Valley Lookout
- Stanwell Tops
Do
- Canoeing in Kangaroo Valley
- Art galleries in Berry
- Dolphin cruise in Jervis Bay
- Jambaroo Recreation Park
- Bega Cheese Factory
- Mogo Zoo
- Feed the birds at Green Patch
- Minamurra Rainforest
Drives
- Kangaroo Valley
Eat
Drink
Stay safe
For most of the year, this is a very safe area. Locals are almost always willing to help and and welcome friendly conversation with visitors. During summer, there is a small risk of pickpocketing or minor vandalism.
Beaches are usually patrolled by lifesavers, but ask locals about dangerous surf and bluebottles. Sunburn is also a risk for visitors unused to Australian summers.
Roads are busy during summer; often people will walk to beaches along the road. Caution is advised during peak periods.
Get out
This page was last edited at 03:55, on 30 October 2008 by Ian Sergeant. Based on work by phillip@netcall.com.au, Evan Prodromou, Ryan Holliday and Niels Elgaard Larsen, Wikitravel user(s) Nurg, Atrain, Hypatia, AYArktos and AndrewMcDonald and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.