With breathtaking scenery, one-of-a-kind wildlife encounters, crystal-clear waters, record-holding beaches, celebrity chefs and world-class wineries and surf; the NSW South Coast is brimming with unforgettable experiences. So, if you haven’t yet visited this undiscovered slice of paradise then here’s 10 reasons why you shouldคำพูดจาก สล็อตวอเลท.
You can walk on the whitest sand in the world
A collection of small towns, unspoilt national park and pretty beaches; Jervis Bay is undeniably beautiful and its natural charms have also achieved international acclaim.
Hyams Beach is world famous and for good reason. It boasts calm aquamarine water that plays host to a resident pod of friendly dolphins, but it’s Hyams’ whiter-than-white sands that have cemented its place in the pages of the Guinness Book of Records as the whitest in the world. And while its officially Hyams that holds the record, other beaches in the area are similarly blessed. In fact, the coastline has more than 150 on which you live out your Robinson Crusoe desert island fantasies.
You can drink wine — lots of wine
Forget the Barossa or Margaret River, there are more world-class wineries on the NSW South Coast than you can shake a stick at.
Near historic Berry (a town worthy of a visit alone) Silos Estate has been producing premium wines since the 1870s. Veer further inland — less than an hour — and you’ll hit the Southern Highlands. Like the popular Hunter Valley, but without the crowds, the cool climate wines here are well worth the detour. For a visit to Tuscany (without having to dig out your passport) head to St Maur, an Italian family run estate that produces small batches of pinot noir, cabernet, merlot and chardonnay. Nearby is the oldest winery in the Highlands, Joadja Estate and for award-winning riesling, then Cherry Tree Hill should be your go-to. Handily, there’s an easy downloadable guide that allows visitors to tour both the food and wine areas independently.
You can swim with seals and sharks
Positioned nine-kilometres offshore from the town of Narooma, the rocky outcrop of Montague Island is a snorkeller and diver’s dream.
Home to NSW’s largest colony of fur seals (numbers peak at around 2,000) as well as thousands of penguins, this wildlife and marine-life sanctuary is also a prime viewing spot for dolphins and whales breaching near the shore. Island Charters Narooma run snorkelling and scuba diving trips during which you can literally get eye-to-eye with playful seals, in addition to grey nurse, Port Jackson and wobbegong sharks and both sting and eagle rays.
You can pat kangaroos on the beach
For a picture that’s seriously Instagram-worthy, how about a wild kangaroo with a beach-meets-ocean backdrop? On Pebbly Beach in Murramarang National Park you can get this enviable snap.
Known widely as the home of the ‘surfing kangaroos’ (a myth stemming from a photograph of a kangaroo in the low surf) a large population of eastern grey kangaroos and red-necked wallabies roam freely here sun baking on the beach and grazing on the nearby grass. Human-friendly, you can get up close and even — if they’re willing — give them a gentle pat. The Park is also home to two other beach roo hot spots, Depot and Pretty beaches, where the animals graze around the beachside campsites.
You can eat better than in any big city
Hungry foodies won’t be disappointed here as the South Coast packs a mean punch in the culinary stakes.
Rather than spending big bucks for oysters at an overpriced restaurant go straight to the source at Tathra Oysters. The family supply some of the most renowned (and most expensive) restaurants in the country, including Rockpool and ARIA. Bypass the bill and get freshly shucked oysters here for next to nothing.
Another guaranteed winner is Wild Ginger in Huskisson. A stylish pan-Asian restaurant meets wine bar, the menu takes advantage of its seaside location and features everything from crayfish and snapper, to crab and flathead.
Inland at Berrima’s The Loch chef and farmer, Brigid Kennedy, has turned her boutique accommodation into a bona fide foodie hub. Holding every-changing Tasting Room feasts every Sunday using locally grown produce and wines, guests can indulge in the ultimate paddock to plate experience.
But when it comes to seafood, you can’t trump British celebrity chef and fish king, Rick Stein. His only Australian restaurant is located at posh hotel, Bannisters By The Sea in Mollymook and unsurprisingly the menu is seafood heavy with staple favourites including Bannisters fish pie and Indonesian seafood curry.
You can get some shut-eye at a celebrity hotel
Speaking of Bannisters, it’s undoubtedly the best hotel on this stretch of the coast and as such it has brought the country’s great and good to the previously sleepy seaside town. Not least because of the recent makeover of two luxury penthouses by Australian fashion legend, Collette Dinnigan.
Positioned high on a clifftop overlooking Mollymook Bay, which teems with marine life, including a pod of resident dolphins, all of the plush rooms feature private balconies and some even sport jacuzzis. There’s also an on site day spa, slick infinity pool overlooking the sub-dappled ocean, pizza bar and poolside champagne bar. Hotel enthusiasts will need to tick this off their bucket list.
You can step back in time
In Eurobodalla Shire the National Trust villages of Tilba Tilba and Central Tilba are a time capsule of small town Australia of yesteryear.
Situated a few minutes drive from one other, the perfectly preserved heritage villages are a mix of old world timber cottages, cute galleries, antique stores and shops selling locally made crafts. Central Tilba was previously the base for TV show River Cottage Australia, which hints at the bounty of lipsmacking produce available, including the Tilba Real Dairy where you can watch cheese making and sample a milkshake made with milk from the resident Jersey herd.
You can really get away from it all
If you’re craving some peace and quiet then Tanja Lagoon Camp (www.tanjalagooncamp.com.au) is the place to go.
Wedged between Mimosa National Park and Middle (Tanja) Lagoon, this back-to-nature getaway is glamping at its finest. Here, luxurious safari tent bedrooms overlook a coastal lagoon and each tent comes with an adjacent bathroom and kitchen. Surrounded by wildlife — including countless kangaroos that roam the grounds — guests can find deserted beaches via a short bush walk before retiring to their tent for a barbecue dinner. Bliss.
You can catch some killer surf
At Shellharbour’s Killalea Beach — AKA, The Farm — you can enjoy some of the most consistent surf around.
Thanks to its deep water and year round waves it was the first declared National Surfing Reserve in NSW and these days surfers come from all over to enjoy the swell. Pines Surfing Academy (www.pinessurfingacademy.com.au) operate from the surfing hotspot and offer board rental, and both private and group lessons.
You can spot whales
Renowned as one of the best whale watching spots, not just in Australia but in the entire world, historic Eden was once (between 1830 and 1930) the epicentre of the country’s whaling industry. Endowed with postcard-perfect looks and the third deepest natural harbour in the southern hemisphere, it’s also one of the only places one earth where humpback whales feed on their southern migration meaning that chances of seeing them are seriously high. The fact that they trade close to the shore increases the odds even higher.
