SAVOUR THE South Coast

From the bird’s-eye view at Stanwell Tops in the north to idyllic Jervis Bay in the south, the New South Wales South Coast is rich with sights and experiences to excite even the most jaded traveller.

Para-gliders and hang-gliders join the birds of prey soaring the Illawarra, while motorists take to the spectacular new road that hugs the coastline into Wollongong. A pleasant way to break your drive is a lunch of freshly caught fish with chips and salad at the Five Islands Brewery overlooking the ocean next to Win Stadium in Wollongong. You can choose Bulli Black, Dapto Draft or Pig Dog Pilsner among the list of boutique beers, which are brewed before your eyes.

Luxury accommodation & cottages in South Coast NSW

Travelling on, you’ll soon come to Kiama, most famous for its blowhole on the water’s edge. The town also has a special place in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of Australians who spend their summer holidays there, soaking up the sun and salt. On either side of the harbour are two rock pools for swimmers who want to give the breakers a miss. There are also a number of great fishing spots.

Make sure you’ve allowed enough time to explore the inland historic town of Berry, which is the first you’ll encounter on entering the Shoalhaven region of the South Coast. Berry is located about seven kilometres inland and has an impressive collection of well-maintained Victorian buildings, some of which now house pubs, restaurants and galleries.

Gerringong is another South Coast village steeped in the history of the dairy industry, evidenced by its lush pastures and the unhurried ways of cattle. Photographers can get some beautiful landscape and ocean shots from the lookout at Mount Pleasant.

Werri Beach is one of Gerringong’s top spots on a good day – and there are many. The sea has an iridescent quality that simply begs you to dive in.