South Coast NSW Things To See & Do

Gerroa

Seven Mile Beach National Park
Gerroa lies at the northern end of Seven Mile Beach National Park, a stretch of coastline that extends south to Shoalhaven Heads. The National Park is no more than 1.2 km across at its widest and is bordered by swampland to the west. The area is used extensively for studying the characteristics and development of sand dunes and their vegetation. Radiating outwards from the beach are spinifex, coast wattle, tea-tree, coast banksia, and a hinterland forest of she-oaks, bangalay, saw banksia, southern mahogany and burrawangs.

There is also a large bird population in the district, including honeyeaters, currawongs, crimson rosellas, thornbills, kookaburras, ravens, grey fantails, eastern whipbirds and white-0throated treecreepoers, and the occasional white-breasted sea eagle.

Seven Mile Beach is also noted for the availability of whiting in the summer months as well as flathead, mulloway, salmon and tailor. There are two walking tracks south of the main picnic area which lead inland to the woodland boundary. There is a bush camping area with limited facilities at the northern end of the park. Camping in any other area is not permitted but there is plenty of accomodation in the vicinity.

Kingsford Smith Memorial Park
The historic Kingsford Smith journey from Seven Mile Beach to New Zealand is commemorated by the Kingsford Smith memorial and lookout. These can be found at the top of the hill at the intersection of Headlands Drive and Crooked River Road. The lookout offers panoramic views over Seven Mile National Park. The memorial consists of a small pillar and plaque and a flat, one-dimensional concrete rendering of Kingsford Smith's aeroplane, the Southern Cross. (3/4 size).

Crooked River Estuary
At Gerroa Crooked River reaches the sea. The estuary is a good spot for prawns, bream and flathead. It is the combination of river, flat beach, safe swimming and fishing prospects that has made the township a popular place for family outings. For the more adventurous there is also surfing, windsurfing and, further upstream, canoeing. A pleasant picnic area with swings, toilets and barbeque has been established with access to the beach via a footbridge. To get there turn off Crooked River Road down Headland Drive and take the right at the stop sign down Riverleigh Avenue.

Black Head
At the end of Stafford St is Black Head. There is a car park and tracks leading to the rock platform below. This is a popular and well-established site for geography and geology excursions. It has one of the best displays of fossils on the coast. Breaking or removing the rocks is forbidden. All you have to do is know what you're looking for - there are plenty of examples of tree fossils and, if you look carefully, you will see small sea creatures.

The rock platform is said to be ideal for catching tuna, kingfish, snapper, drummer, trevally, salmon, tailor and groper. However, be careful, as the waves can be dangerous.

Jamberoo

Jamberoo Action Park: (02) 4236 0114. Kid's dreams can really come true (and those of some adults, too) on the wild rides at Jamberoo - where you control the action! Splash about at Billabong Beach, surf Outback Bay, soar up a mountain on a chairlift, play mini landscape golf, fly down the mountain on a bobsled, ride rubber rafts arond Rapid River with half metre high waves, race your friends on Surf Hill. If you've still got energy, try a racing car, plunge off The Rock into deep water, or laugh yourself silly as you slide through the twists and turns of the giant water slides - oh yes, and there's the Le Mans Cars and the new Wave Pool. BBQ and picnic facilities, or The Loft Cafe. Open 10am-5pm weekends, NSW public school holidays and midweek for groups with a booking. 

Kiama

The Markets: Kiama Craft Market is held on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 9am to 3pm at Black Beach (downtown on your way to the Blowhole). Stallholder bookings: (02) 4237 6111.

Kiama Produce Markets are held on the 4th Saturday of each month from 8am to 1pm at Black Beach. Stallholder bookings: 0438 387 387.

Great walks: the Kiama Hinterland Trail can take three hours for the complete circuit. Take a picnic and spend an extra hour at any of the picnic sites marked on the map (available from Tourism Kiama near the Blowhole or we can post you a copy). If you have less time, take the shorter circuit to Saddleback Mountain and Jamberoo or Minnamurra Rainforest and return to Kiama via Spring Creek Wetlands. For a touch of Ireland, the Bushbank Mill Track is a must, locatd just south of Kiama. Hoddles Track begins on Saddleback Mountain (a place where views are just to die for) and this offers a return walk with some great views along the coast on the way back to the escarpment.

Day Tripper: From Kiama you can day trip to Berry, Jervis Bay, Kangaroo Valley, the Southern Highlands, Wollongong and north to the delightful villages of Shellharbour, Austinmer and Thirroul. 

Minnamurra Rainforest: (02) 4236 0469. This multi-award winning centre allows you to enjoy the beauty of this remnant of subtropical and temperate rainforest in Budderoo National Park. An elevated boardwalk makes it possible for people of all abilities to enjoy the ancient figs and lush ferns and palms. The rainforest is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Visitor Centre, Cafe, BBQs. An entrance fee applies (2006: $11 per car).

Barren Grounds Nature Reserve: This is located at the top of Jamberoo pass. The area boasts stunning coastal views from rocky outcrops and is a 1750 hectare bird watcher's mecca. Defined as a 'hanging swamp', it offers several walks through the heathland. Griffiths Trail, an 8km circular track, is a relatively flat but scenic route through the heathland and a variety of other habitats. Cooks Nose Lookout is a shorter 6km return walk with excellent escarpment views over Kangaroo Valley. Picnic facilities are located here. Access from Jamberoo Mtn Rd, 19km west of Kiama.

Carrington Falls: Located in Budderoo National Park, this is a great place to walk, picnic or just relax. There are excellent plateau walking tracks (including one suitable for wheel chairs) with fine escarpment views towards Kangeroo Valley. Three lookouts provide superb views of the falls. A short walk leads to Nellies Glen, a delightful place for relaxing in summer.

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