5 Shoalhaven Winter Wonders

Once upon a time, winter was a time to snuggle under a blanket and stay at home – waiting out the cooler weather indoors. But after the past few years of being forced to stay inside, more and more people are discovering what savvy travellers have always known – that winter is the best time to escape to the Shoalhaven region on NSW’s stunning South Coast!
 

1: Blissful Beaches

The Shoalhaven is home to no fewer than 100 unique and unspoilt beaches (we’ve even created a challenge to help you tick them off). And if you thought enjoying them in summer was amazing, now imagine having them all to yourself. Sure, the water may be colder, but the surf is far more consistent at this time of year (pick up a lesson at Culburra Beach or Land’s Edge) and the sunrises and sunsets are magnificent. With plenty of friendly holiday parks and accommodation offering direct beach access, you’ll have front row seats as the sound of crashing waves soothes you to sleep.
 

2: A Whale of a Time

What can we say – May to August is simply the best time to see orcas and southern right whales travelling north to breed (they return later in the year). There are some great spots to see these creatures from land, but the best way to ensure a splashtastic sighting – filled with plenty of “whoaaa” moments – is with a whale watching cruise. Jervis Bay Wild and Dolphin Watch both operate out of Huskisson, while Ulladulla Fishing Charters invites you to make a day of it by dropping a line while waiting for a sighting of whales or dolphins.
 

3: Discover your wild side

With the weather more comfortable, winter is a great time to visit Shoalhaven Zoo and discover the largest collective of native animals in New South Wales. Situated alongside the beautiful Shoalhaven River in North Nowra, this wonderful family destination also offers extra experiences allowing you to get up close to their lions, marmoset monkeys or meerkats. Or if you’d like to take things to the next level, be sure to check out Australia’s First Cliff Edge adventure park, Trees Adventure – located alongside the zoo and giving you a unique bird’s eye view of the animals below!
 

4: Follow your art

The weather outside might be no oil painting, but you can enjoy plenty of those and more at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery (Tuesday to Saturday) or the architecturally impressive and landscape-linked Bundanon Art Gallery (Wednesday to Sunday). If you’d rather take in a performance, you’ll find live theatre, music or film on offer at a variety of venues including Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Milton Theatre or Huskisson Pictures.

5: Feast on the Region

Is there anything better than enjoying exquisite fare with good company and stunning surroundings? The Shoalhaven’s ever-changing mix of locally sourced delights changes with every season – making winter a cosy chance to dine on a feast of new flavours. There are plenty of tasty venues to choose from, including farm-to-table specialists Cupitt’s Estate near Ulladulla, The General cafe in charming Kangaroo Valley, Milton’s sustainable cafe/farm Milk Haus, seafood legend Rick Stein’s Bannisters eatery in Mollymook, iconic Saltwood cafe in Kiola, or coastal treat Bangalay in Shoalhaven Heads. Of course, that’s just the start, with your taste buds assured a warm welcome at dozens of quality venues across the villages and towns of this seasonally satisfying region.