Pristine beaches, paddock-to-plate dining and hidden bush hideaways have helped establish the Shoalhaven as the ultimate wellness escape.
Driving down the Princes Highway from Sydney, you sense you’re about to enter the Shoalhaven before you even see the sign. The saturation bumps up: the pastures framing the highway seem a brighter shade of green and the ocean an even deeper blue.
Then, the road opens onto a view across the headlands, revealing a string of coves and beaches bitten into the coastline, like teeth marks in an apple. By the time you’ve arrived, you can feel the tension leaving your shoulders.
From the countryside to the coast, the Shoalhaven is a region centred around living well. It is, in itself, like a wellness retreat – with nourishing food, restorative activities and immersive nature – except here, it’s all part and parcel of everyday life.
From sampling local produce to exploring coastal wilderness and settling into a secluded stay, here’s how to enjoy a wellness escape to the Shoalhaven.
Exploring the Shoalhaven’s natural wonders
Greenfield Beach, Vincentia. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Spending time in nature is beneficial for the mind and body. The Shoalhaven, known for its dramatic shoreline, coastal bushland and 100-plus beaches, lies on the Traditional Lands of the Yuin people.
To deepen your understanding of the landscape, join Aboriginal-owned Djungga Kultural Tours for a guided walk through beautiful Booderee National Park. Led by an Aboriginal guide, you’ll learn about bush foods, medicinal plants and the importance of connection to Country.
There are many ways to discover the region’s natural surroundings. Explore on foot and choose from an abundance of day hikes through coastal bushland, or venture deep into spotted gum forests on the three-day Murramarang South Coast Walk. On this hike, you’ll stay overnight in national park cabins and wake to secluded beaches mere footsteps from your door.
Head out to sea to see humpbacks during the annual migration. (Credit: Jordan Robins)
Visitors to the region can watch for humpback whales along the coast or head out to sea to catch a closer look during the annual migration season (May to November).
Set out with Jervis Bay Wild or Dolphin Watch Cruises – both run whale-watching tours that depart from Huskisson. Alternatively, take to the blue waters of Jervis Bay Marine Park on a guided paddling adventure with Sea Kayak Jervis Bay.
For something different, head inland with Eqwine Escapes on a multi-day, guided horse trek through Bugong National Park, paired with samples of the region’s award-winning food and wine.
And when the sun dips in the sky, let Jervis Bay Stargazing turn your attention skyward with an astronomy experience. If nature is medicine, then the Shoalhaven has just the tonic.
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
Eat well: tasting your way through the region
Visit Jim Wild’s Oysters at Greenwell Point. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Sally McLean has taken over the reins at
Jim Wild’s Oysters. (Credit: Destination NSW)
The old adage is: “You are what you eat." Luckily, the Shoalhaven makes it easy to eat (and drink) incredibly well. Browse the farmers’ markets to discover fresh, vibrant produce and taste how local chefs transform those ingredients at the region’s eateries and hatted restaurants.
For more local flavours, experience ocean-to-plate dining at Jim Wild’s Oysters, the family-owned oyster farm now led by Sally McLean at Greenwell Point. Here, you can slurp down Sydney rock and Pacific oysters overlooking the picturesque Crookhaven River, metres from where they were harvested.
The beloved watering hole The Milton Hotel. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Sundowners at The Milton Hotel. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Dining options in the Shoalhaven range from casual to upscale and even the pubs take things up a notch. Beloved watering hole The Milton Hotel pairs lauded pub fare with Dangerous Ales beers brewed onsite, while the award-winning Bangalay Dining showcases native ingredients and local produce through modern Australian cuisine.
Cap off your culinary tour of the region at one of the Shoalhaven’s bush-fringed cellar doors. Lyrebird Ridge is a small organic winery and retreat set amid pristine bushland between Kangaroo Valley and Nowra – the perfect place to slow down
and take it all in, wine in hand.
Weekly travel news, experiences insider tips, offers, and more.
Unwind at these rejuvenating Shoalhaven retreats
Stay in a luxury safari tent at Paperbark Camp. (Credit: Destination NSW)
For some dedicated rest and relaxation, the Shoalhaven has a variety of retreats and farm stays. At Bamarang Bush Retreat, stay in mud-brick dwellings nestled within an ancient river valley.
Bay and Bush Jervis Bay combines glamping with a new wilderness spa, complete with massages, botanical facials, a sauna and a cold plunge.
Meanwhile, you can get close to nature in Paperbark Camp’s luxury safari tents, tucked amid a peaceful paperbark forest. Settle in, perhaps with a bottle of local wine, and let the surroundings soothe your nervous system.
Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?
Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.
It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.
Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.
Where the vines tell a story
Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)
The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.
Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.
Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.
Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.
At the table
Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)
If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.
Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.
Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotelis a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.
And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.
Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.
From the source
Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)
Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.
Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.
Mark your calendar
Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)
For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.
Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.
