NSW South Coast with Kids: A handy holiday guide
South Coast NSW
Explore the NSW South Coast with your family
Stretching from the Royal National Park south of Sydney to Eden near the Victorian border, the South Coast’s famed beach culture, rich Aboriginal history, amazing wildlife and unrivalled natural beauty make it a perfect family holiday destination – any time of year.
Explore the South Coast via the spectacular Grand Pacific Drive and you’ll see many of Australia’s top beach holiday destinations, including Kiama, Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay and the Sapphire Coast.
Along the way, discover a string of beautiful beaches and bays, plus over 30 national parks, marine parks and reserves.
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Your NSW South Coast family holiday guide
The unspoiled natural beauty of the NSW South Coast makes it a perfect family holiday destination. Take a road trip, weekend break from Sydney or school holiday getaway to immerse yourself in crystal-clear waters, rainforests, and waterfalls. You can spot dolphins and seals year-round, and go whale-watching from May to November.
The NSW South Coast is comprised of regions within a region. Confused? We’ve put together a handy guide below, from North to South:
- Illawarra Region: Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Gerringong and Gerroa
- The Shoalhaven: Berry, Nowra, Jervis Bay, Mollymook and Ulladulla
- Eurobodalla Region: Batemans Bay, Moruya, Mogo, Bega and Narooma
- Sapphire Coast: Bega, Tathra, Merimbula, Pambula, and Eden
Learn more about the top South Coast family destinations below:
Wollongong
About 90 minutes south of Sydney, set between the coast and mountains, Wollongong is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city perfect for a weekend escape. Beyond the attractions of NSW’s third-largest city, the small coastal villages around Wollongong boast beautiful tidal ocean pools and excellent surfing beaches. The city’s range of accommodation options also makes this a great base for exploring the Illawarra region.
Thrill seekers can skydive the beach in Wollongong, while the family can enjoy a bike ride along one of the region’s many purpose-built tracks. For an indoor activity head to Hangdog Climbing Gym, the Science Space at UOW (including the fab planetarium shows), Inside Industry at Port Kembla and the Australian Motorlife Museum.
Shellharbour
Shellharbour, at the heart of the family-friendly Illawarra region, is a historic township with a broad choice of watersports. As a coastal town Shellharbour is renowned for its beaches while its oceanfront cafe strip and beachfront accommodation make it a great spot for a relaxing family escape.
Here, you’ll find surfing hotspot Killalea Regional Park, known by the locals as ‘The Farm’. Lake Illawarra offers plenty of watersports action, so go ahead and hire a boat, kayak or SUP.
Bass Point Reserve is the region’s only marine aquatic reserve and one of the South Coast’s scuba dive and snorkel hot spots. Bass Point also has one of the few remaining stands of coastal rainforest in the state, as well as a large collection of significant Aboriginal and European heritage sites. At the eastern end, Bushrangers Bay, spot sea urchins and tropical fish sheltering in the underwater cliff face.
Shellharbour’s cycleways offer more outdoor fun, while indoor activities can be found at roller rink GO Skating Oaks Flat and Playmaze for Kids at Albion Park Rail.
Kiama
Less than two hours from Sydney, the coastal holiday town of Kiama is a dream destination for a beach getaway. It’s world-famous for the record-breaking Kiama Blowholes – unusual rock formations that spout big plumes of water into the sky with a spectacular rush of water and sound.
Kiama is also well-loved by families for its stunning 22-kilometre Coast Walk and nearby attractions Jamberoo Action Park and Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures. For a spot of fishing, hire a fishing charter or simply throw a line in from Kiama Harbour. For a day at the beach, go swimming on one of the nine patrolled beaches and four great rock pools in the area.
The Shoalhaven
The lush 160-kilometre arc of the Shoalhaven region is a majestic stretch of coast endowed with beaches, bays, interesting country towns and natural wonders. Nowra, Jervis Bay, Mollymook and Ulladulla are among the region’s coastal delights while Kangaroo Valley and Berry are some of the Shoalhaven’s hinterland gems.
In the Shoalhaven region there are plenty of fun activities that you can do with your kids! Visit Shoalhaven Zoo, on the banks of the Shoalhaven River, or fly through the air and get your heart racing at Treetops Adventure Nowra. Take a wildlife cruise at Jervis Bay to spot dolphins, whales and seals.
More outdoor experiences on offer for families include Woe Be Gone Freedive in Jervis Bay and Djiriba Waagura cultural tours, with local Aboriginal man Matthew Simms.
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Eurobodalla & Batemans Bay
Discover a dazzling landscape of 83 beaches, islands, rivers and lakes, heritage towns and coastal villages along 110 kilometres of the Batemans Marine Park coastline. The Eurobodalla region includes the three main towns of Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma.
Eurobodalla is known for its natural and unspoilt beauty! Hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and head to the water, ride along cycleways, or snorkel with playful seals at Barungaba Montague Island at Narooma. Visit the animals at Mogo Zoo and enjoy the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden.
Larrikins and bushrangers add character to Eurobodalla and this rich heritage is captured across the region’s attractions. History and stories are on offer at the Moruya or Batemans Bay Heritage Museums or step back in time in the National Trust village of Central Tilba.
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Sapphire Coast
On the most southern stretch is the Sapphire Coast, known for its pristine beaches and award-winning oysters. It’s also renowned for deep-sea fishing off Bermagui, whale watching at Eden, award-winning cheeses at Bega and a rich Aboriginal cultural heritage around Wallaga Lake. The Sapphire Coast’s sparkling beaches, bays, lakes, cliffs, caves and national parks are all accessible via excellent walking tracks and coastal drives.
Go fishing at Merimbula or Tathra Wharf, take in the views from the Headland Walk, meet native animals at the Potoroo Palace Animal Sanctuary and visit the Blue Pool at Bermagui. You’ll also find some of NSW’s best mountain biking tracks in Tathra and Bermagui.
Top activities for families on the NSW South Coast
Water sports for all ages
Go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding in the South Coast’s beautiful inlets, creeks, rivers and basins. Lake Illawarra near Wollongong and Kiama’s Minnamurra River are fantastic spots for all kinds of fun on the water. And there’s also more watersport fun to be had on Lake Wallagoot and Merimbula Lake on the Sapphire Coast.
Eurobodalla – or ‘land of many waters’ is kayaking heaven. Cruise the estuaries, creeks and inlets with one of the many kayaking schools in the area. Explore the Kangaroo Valley River in a canoe or go sailing and fishing in the protected waters of St Georges Basin.
Kid-friendly surfing lessons
Pines Surfing Academy provides surfing lessons for beginners of all ages at ‘The Farm’ and North Beach Wollongong. You can also take some lessons with Camel Rock Surf School at Bermagui. Currarong Surf School in the Shoalhaven is another great family-friendly environment to get you started.
Treetop adventures
The South Coast is a top destination for ziplining and treetops experiences. Fly through the air and get your heart racing with a treetops experience at Treetops Adventure Nowra, Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures or Magic Mountain at Merimbula.
Whale-watching and marine life
Admire some of the whitest sands in the world at Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay, where you may also spot dolphins or whales on a cruise or in a sea kayak.
If you want to head under the water, try a scuba diving or snorkelling course at the Merimbula Divers Lodge. Snorkel with a seal colony at Montague Island or simply stand on a headland and play ‘spot the dolphin’.
Camping and bushwalking
While the South Coast is known for its beaches, the lush green forests and National Parks also provide a wonderful holiday backdrop. Explore ancient headlands and forest bushwalks where you will see some amazing wildlife including echidnas and kangaroos and wallabies lazing under the tall timbered trees, spotting possums at night and endless cycling tracks. Why not spend a few nights camping under the stars?
Follow the dramatic coast-hugging Kiama Coast Walk. For sheer drama, Bombo Headland is like walking on the moon with its unusual basalt walls and columns, a legacy of blue metal quarrying.
Explore the cliffs, sea caves and rock stacks and spot sea eagles and cormorants at the coastal Mimosa Rocks National Park near Bega, where you can also discover ancient middens and take in the spectacular views at Aragunnu.
In the far southern region, the magnificent coastal Murramarang National Park is famous for its rugged coastline and varied native wildlife while Booderee National Park has three family-friendly camp grounds, magnificent bay and surf beaches, picnic areas, a diverse range of bushwalking trails and lots of native birds and animals to see up close.
Alternatively go bushwalking in Morton National Park, including the challenging three-to-four-hour climb up Pigeon House Mountain (one for teenagers rather than littlies).
Parks and gardens
Relax and commune with nature in the beautiful Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden, bursting with 2000 species of plants, trees and shrubs of the region – and home to kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, possums, echidnas, snakes, lizards, frogs and many birds. The 42ha Gardens are part of the Mogo State Forest and include the amazing Children’s Play Space, café and picnic and barbecue facilities.
Zoos and wildlife parks
Mogo Wildlife Park is located in the picturesque historic gold mining village of Mogo, ten kilometres south of Batemans Bay. The zoo exhibits an extraordinary range of animals, including the western lowlands gorilla, the majestic white lion, silvery gibbon, emperor tamarin, meerkats, Nepalese red panda, ring-tailed lemur, Brazilian tapir, Sumatran tiger, snow leopard and the southern white rhino.
Food experiences on the NSW South Coast
The region is also known for its seafood, especially oysters, with many award-winning waterfront restaurants and family eateries. Parents can sample them fresh at Clyde River, Narooma and across the Sapphire Coast. For a more immersive experience, take a boat or kayak oyster farm tour.
The South Coast is one of Australia’s top dairy farming regions. With cheese tasting for grown-ups and ice cream for kids, the Bodalla Dairy Shed is a great place to learn where your milk comes from (and meet adorable baby calves).
Local milk and fruit are the star ingredients in Bermagui Gelati Clinic’s artisan sorbet and gelato. Crafted without artificial flavours or colours, these mouthwatering desserts are a must-try for families.
Sample the delights of regional farmers at the grower’s markets at the Tilba Big Hall or the Saturday morning Moruya Country Market.
Kid-friendly wineries on the NSW South Coast
Keen to visit one of the South Coast’s cellar doors? Our pick is the kid-friendly Crooked River Wines in Gerringong, just 10 minutes south of Kiama. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the restaurant provide stunning vineyard views, while live music on Saturday afternoons and plenty of grassy play space complete the picture. Winters are especially cosy, with a roaring wood fire indoors and an outdoor firepit to gather around.
Silos Estate near Berry is more than just a cellar door – the winery also features a restaurant, art gallery, boutique cottage accommodation, and a resident herd of curly-haired Huacaya alpacas to meet. Stay overnight at Coolangatta Estate, near Berry, to enjoy motel-style accommodation in the restored convict-built buildings of Coolangatta Village.
Family accommodation on the NSW South Coast
Wollongong stays
Quest Wollongong offers serviced one and two-bedroom apartments with extensive facilities, including babysitting, perfect for families.
Kiama stays
BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park, Kiama offers family friendly accommodation to suit every budget with mountain backdrops and absolute beach frontage, as well as a water park and seasonal kids’ club.
Kiama Coast Holiday Parks offers kid-friendly stays across multiple locations: enjoy comfortable cabin accommodation at Kendalls on the Beach, a beautifully landscaped setting on the bay, or Kiama Harbour Cabins provide luxury cabin accommodation minutes from the famous Kiama Blowhole and historic Lighthouse. Surf Beach Holiday Park provides powered tent and caravan sites through to luxury bungalows, c cabins and villas cabins in a resort-style location, an easy walk from the Kiama CBD.
Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park in Gerroa is a water lover’s paradise offering luxury cabins, eco tents and camping sites to suit all tastes and budget, while Werri Beach Holiday Park, Gerringong offers luxury cabins, some with spa, plus powered and unpowered sites.
Shoalhaven stays
Discovery Parks – Burrill Lake (formerly BIG4 Bungalow Park) is ideally located 5km south of Ulladulla, on 26 acres of absolute lakefront land, minutes from the surf beach at Dolphins Point.
Holiday Haven Parks offer a great selection of beachfront and lakefront holiday parks across the Shoalhaven:
Shoalhaven Heads Tourist Park, located between the Shoalhaven River and Seven Mile Beach offers camping, caravanning and cabin accommodation.
Holiday Haven Bendalong is ideal for a traditional family camping holiday and offers easy access to beaches and the calm waters of Boat Harbour, while Holiday Haven Burril Lake provides powered sites and self-contained cabins (some with spas and views) in an absolute lakefront location.
Holiday Haven Culburra Beach offers cabins, some with spa, plus powered and unpowered sites on beautiful Culburra Beach. Holiday Haven Currarong is situated on the northern shores of Jervis Bay Marine Park, offering self-contained waterfront cabins and large campsites.
Holiday Haven White Sands has a range of accommodation and amazing views just a short stroll from local attractions and entertainment, while Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach offers a range of absolute beachfront accommodation right on beautiful Jervis Bay.
Holiday Haven Kangaroo Valley offers fantastic refurbished cabin accommodation nestled above the picturesque Kangaroo River. Holiday Haven Lake Conjola boasts waterfront powered sites and spacious self contained cabins in a lakefront location.
Holiday Haven Ulladulla boasts views across Ulladulla Harbour just minutes from shops, cafes, restaurants, beaches and fishing spots. Holiday Haven Lake Tabourie just south of Ulladulla, has self contained cabins and powered sites nestled between the lake and the beach. Holiday Haven Swan Lake is the ideal place to get away from it all whether caravanning, camping or staying in a cabin.
Eurobodalla stays
NRMA Broulee Holiday Park, located on beautiful Broulee Beach, offers cabins, villas, powered sites and camping in a friendly, relaxed environment. It’s a quick 10-minute drive from Mogo Zoo.
Near Batemans Bay, BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park is set on 16 acres by the Clyde River. As well as a host of activities for kids, families can choose from riverside villa and eco-tent accommodation. BIG4 Batemans Bay at Easts Riverside Holiday Park on the beautiful Clyde River is a resort-style park offering luxury cabin accommodation, caravan and camping sites. BIG4 Moruya Heads Easts Dolphin Beach Holiday Park, opposite Dolphin Beach at Moruya Heads, offers units, cabins and sites to suit every family.
BIG4 South Durras Holiday Park boasts self-contained cabins, powered sites and camping facilities surrounded by Murramarang National Park. There’s also the independent Durras Lake North Holiday Park where families can stay in one of several colourful beach shacks, surrounded by wildlife.
BIG4 Narooma Easts Holiday Park, on the banks of the spectacular Wagonga Inlet offers an indoor splash park for year-round family fun (along with condos, cabins, caravan and camping sites to suit everyone).
Sapphire Coast stays
NRMA Tathra Beachfront Holiday Park is a family-oriented holiday park with first-class facilities opposite the beach in the heart of beautiful Tathra.
Discovery Parks – Eden (formerly Twofold Bay Beach Resort) offers cabins and villas, plus sites for caravans and campers on five hectares of natural parkland overlooking the beach
Table of Contents
Featured South Coast family accommodation
Opening image: A father and son going for a surf at Manyana Beach on the NSW South Coast. © Destination NSW