Top Towns for 2022: A quick guide to the very best of Gerringong, NSW

Find a sweet spot in this breezy beach town nestled between green coastal pasture and the Pacific Ocean on the NSW South Coast. Here, we explore Gerringong’s highlights to uncover why the town landed at number 47 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

At first flush, the green hills of Gerringong look a little bit like England. The cows grazing nonchalantly on pasture that rolls, dramatically, all the way down to the edge of the cliffs.

The unabashed bucolic nature of the scene looks clipped straight from a period drama like Poldark. And yet. This tiny town just a stone’s throw from Kiama on the NSW South Coast is every bit Australian.

Gerringong Beach — Gerringong is your classic Aussie beach town. (Image: Destination NSW/ James Horan)

What to see and do in Gerringong

It’s a classic Aussie beach town, where life revolves around Werri Beach. A popular surf spot patrolled in warmer months, this main beach is bookended to the north by a sheltered lagoon favoured by young families who swim in its shallower waters. And to the south by Ourie Rock Pool, chipped into the rock shelf in the 1930s to cater to campers and entice tourists.

Ourie Rock Pool is a local favourite. (Image DNSW)

Further south still, tucked below the cliffs and dating to the early 1900s, Boat Harbour Rock Pool is one of Gerringong’s true hidden gems.

The Kiama Coast Walk, a 20-kilometre trail along the headland with spectacular ocean views, culminates at Werri Beach, too. It’s a must-do when in town – if only walked in part. The six-kilometre Loves Bay to Gerringong section zigzags through the coastal pastures.

Kiama Coastal Walk near Gerringong — Gerringong’s green hills roll right down to the water.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Where to eat in Gerringong

When you’ve worked up an appetite, eat within arm’s reach of the ocean. Sea Vista Cafe offers great options from breakfast through to lunch (brekkie rolls, shakshouka, baked barramundi, steak sandwiches, bliss bowls and burgers) with as-promised ocean views.

Gather by the Hill has a beach backdrop and slick, breezy interiors to complement its wine, cocktails and modern Australian menu.

Located in the Cronin’s Hotel (owned by Rugby League legend Mick Cronin), Jack’s Grill by Smith St. Foods serves up classic pub fare with a few fancier dishes thrown in.

Just outside town, scenically situated Crooked River Wines offers wine tastings, meals and overnight stays.

Tasting at Crooked River Wines — Stop for a sip at Crooked River Wines. (Image: Destination NSW)

Or sign up for a cooking class at Buena Vista Farm, with workshops encompassing everything from a sourdough masterclass to cheesemaking.

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Where to stay in Gerringong

Accommodation options are plentiful. Werri Beach Holiday Park is a great place to holiday with the whole family, dog included, with its range of cabins as well as powered and unpowered sites.

Set on a vast tract of oceanfront farmland, designer Dovecote is an all-out luxe option as is the gorgeous Greyleigh, a brand-new farm stay in nearby Jerrara.

Inside Dovecote Gerringong — Check into Dovecote for all-out luxury.(Image: Alex Sprichard/ Dovecote)

Views at Dovecote Gerringong — This designer property boasts panoramic
ocean views. (Image: Alex Sprichard/ Dovecote)

Or check into the aptly named The Beach House, a sweet holiday home close to the ocean with solid coastal chic vibes.

Explore more of the NSW South Coast in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.

Top Towns for 2022: A quick guide to the very best of Gerringong, NSW

Find a sweet spot in this breezy beach town nestled between green coastal pasture and the Pacific Ocean on the NSW South Coast. Here, we explore Gerringong’s highlights to uncover why the town landed at number 47 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

What to see and do in Gerringong

Where to eat in Gerringong

Where to stay in Gerringong

Explore more of the NSW South Coast in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.

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Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.