Shoalhaven
An easy two hour drive from Sydney and Canberra, Shoalhaven stretches from Berry Downs to Durras North and inland to Kangaroo Valley and Milton. From 100 world class surf beaches to storybook valleys, idyllic coast villages such as Jervis Bay and Mollymook, and a covetable food and wine scene, this region spoils the winter wanderer for choice.
If your idea of a winter escape centres round indulgence, the best place to start is with a sugar dusted stop at the Famous Berry Donut Van. From there, make your way to Mountain Ridge Wines for a tasting, before ending your excursion with Milton’s hatted restaurant, St Isidore (stisidore.com. au). Or get hands on with your food at one of Kangaroo Valley’s cooking schools.
Well fed and watered, it might be time to find some waves. Local surf legend Tyler Wright’s hometown of Culburra Beach won’t disappoint those looking for clean breaks. If you’d rather keep dry, leave your surfer here and head to nearby Jim Wilds Oyster Service to shuck a few while you wait for the waves to lose their appeal.
Alternatively, if you can’t beat the lure of the breakers, join them by taking a surf lesson with Shoalhaven local and ex World champion Pam Burridge. You may not be quite ready for the shallow barrelling waves of Guillotines at Bawley Point afterwards, but you may find you have a newfound appreciation for them.
Also worth appreciating is the majestic marine life that steals the show come winter. Take a whale and dolphin watching tour from Jervis Bay to witness the northward migration of the humpbacks and their babies as they venture to warmer waters. Or gear up to go below the surface at Jervis Bay for face to face meetings with friendly seals and dolphins. If you’d prefer to keep dry, watch the magnetic shadowylooking stingrays that come to feed by the boat ramps at Kiola and Bendalong.