Some holidays stick with you. You remember the feel of gravel under bare feet. The smell of sunscreen mixed with two-minute noodles. That one kid from the next-door tent who became your best mate for a week… then disappeared back into the big wide world. Classic.
The NSW South Coast has been the backdrop for a million of those moments. And if you grew up road-tripping up or down the Princes Highway, chances are the Shoalhaven played a starring role. Holiday Haven parks packed with kids on bikes, beaches that felt like they were yours alone, and slow, easy days that somehow felt endless.
So here’s the idea: Past Ports. Going back. Revisiting the spots that meant something – with fresh eyes and maybe a few kids of your own in tow.
Because some places are just worth returning to.
Photo Credit: Visit Shoalhaven
The Road Down
If you grew up road-tripping the NSW South Coast, chances are the Shoalhaven was part of your story.
The drive south (or north) is half the fun. And if you’re doing it properly, you’re not rushing. The South Coast doesn’t reward rushing. It rewards windows down, no agenda, and pulling over when something looks good.
Which brings us to the stops.
Don’t Skip These Stops – some are institutions
- The Friendly Inn, Kangaroo Valley – Stop for lunch in the outdoor beer garden before rolling into Holiday Haven Kangaroo Valley.
- Berry Donut Van, Berry – A must before you even hit Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads. Hot cinnamon donuts. Road trip essential.
- Hyper Hyper Coffee, Nowra – Your pre-scenic-drive coffee stop. Ideal before heading toward Holiday Haven Culburra Beach or Holiday Haven Currarong.
- Huskisson Hotel, Huskisson – Settle in for a long lunch or a cheeky afternoon stop before checking in at Holiday Haven White Sands or Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach.
- Hayden’s Pies, Ulladulla – Fuel up properly before arriving at Holiday Haven Ulladulla or heading further south to Holiday Haven Burrill Lake or Holiday Haven Lake Tabourie.
Finding Your Holiday Haven Park Again
Maybe it was:
• A lakeside caravan park – think Holiday Haven Swan Lake
• A beach town your family returned to every summer – think Holiday Haven Bendalong
• A place you haven’t thought about in years – think Holiday Haven Lake Conjola
That’s the beauty of the Shoalhaven on the NSW South Coast – it’s both familiar and full of new discoveries.
Going back isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about reconnecting with a version of yourself that’s still there, somewhere between the beach and the campground.
A Note from a Past Visitor
“We love coming to this great little park… our children have grown up having holidays here and love it.”
That’s how it starts. One trip turns into a few… then suddenly it’s tradition.
The beauty of the Shoalhaven is that you can do it your way. Go back to the exact spot and do everything the same – fish from the same jetty, eat fish and chips on the same wall, watch the same sunset.
Or mix it up. Add new stops, take different roads, let the kids lead for a change.
The Shoalhaven is big enough to keep surprising you, but familiar enough to feel like home. That’s a rare thing.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
The road is part of the trip. Seriously. Don’t rush it. The escarpment, the bends through Kangaroo Valley, the moment the coast opens up – this is the holiday.
Go in the shoulder or low season if you can – Autumn and spring are magic down here. Warm enough to swim, calm enough to breathe. What about winter? Quieter, slower, and a whole lot more peaceful. Think empty beaches, crisp mornings and no crowds. School holidays bring the buzz – it just depends on what you’re after.
Let the kids be bored – Not everything needs a plan. Some of the best memories come from unstructured days – bikes, new friends, and stories that never quite get fully explained.
Eat local – Beyond the classic stops, the Shoalhaven is full of great produce, bakeries, markets and fresh seafood. Ask around – the best spots usually aren’t the loudest ones.
So… When Are You Going Back?
Your Past Port is still there. Same coastline. Same salty air. Same feeling when you arrive.
Check out our Holiday Haven parks and start planning the trip that’s been sitting in the back of your mind for way too long.
