The South Coast is the ultimate weekend getaway, within easy reach of both Sydney and Canberra. Blessed with immense natural beauty, including beautiful beaches and national parks, you’ll find plenty to see and do on the South Coast with a range of coastal walks and water sports suitable for all levels of fitness.
Savour freshly shucked oysters on Australia’s Oyster Coast and enjoy a fine drop from the region’s best wineries in Shoalhaven. Discover more local wines, ciders, cheese, olives and chocolates on the South Coast Foodie Trail or dine in one of the region’s finest restaurants; the South Coast is a foodies delight.
Here’s our guide to a perfect little weekend away on the NSW South Coast.
How to get to the South Coast
Getting to the South Coast is easy. Self-driving is one of the best ways to explore the NSW South Coast, with the Grand Pacific Drive considered one of Australia’s most spectacular driving routes, making it the perfect road trip from Sydney. You can also travel by train, with regular services from Sydney’s Central Station to the South Coast. If you are travelling from Melbourne or Brisbane, you can fly into Shellharbour, Moruya and Merimbula.
This scenic rail route offers the opportunity to stop at seaside towns including Kiama, Bombo, Bomaderry, Austinmer, Thirroul and more. The South Coast is accessible from Canberra too, with the drive to Mollymook and Kiama only just over 2.5 hours. The South Coast’s beautiful coastline makes for the perfect day trip, weekend or week-long getaway at any time of year.
Things to do on the South Coast
Blessed with natural beauty, the South Coast boasts a number of national parks and reserves to explore. Explore a range of cycling trails, walking tracks and more on the South Coast of NSW.
The South Coast of NSW is the perfect spot for kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and water sports. Book a tour or hire your own craft and explore the coastline, sanctuaries and waterways of the South Coast.
The NSW South Coast has some of the most incredible beaches in the country. If you’re up for it, you can even take part in the Shoalhaven 100 Beach Challenge. With all beaches in the list located just two hours from Sydney and Canberra, this line-up is a bucket list of sorts, and travellers are encouraged to visit as many as possible, tick them off as they go and share their experiences on social media. The 100 hot spots are spread from Seven Mile Beach to Depot Beach in the South and are presented like a game, and are even categorised by groups such as ‘family’, ‘pets’ and ‘adventure’.
Where to stay on the South Coast
The South Coast is picturesque in any season. Summer holidays and school holidays are the peak period for beachside destinations such as Kiama, Gerringong and Jervis Bay. Villages such as Kangaroo Valley and Berry are popular on weekends and in the cooler months for romantic getaways. Plan well ahead to secure South Coast accommodation during the summer school holidays.
Where to eat on the South Coast
Jervis Bay is not only full of migrating humpback whales, but it also boasts cute cafes to satisfy your taste buds. Kiama has dining of all kinds, from cafes to please even the pickiest coffee connoisseurs, to restaurants serving up everything from fresh seafood to Italian dishes. Meanwhile, Kangaroo Valley might be small, but its long list of restaurants and cafes packs a big punch. If you’re in Bateman’s Bay (or nearby) for the weekend, there are a few spots you’d do well to try. Start with our list of favourites. And dining at this Merimbula delivers a fair few surprises. Try our favourite cafes and restaurants.
