Five things to do on the NSW South Coast
If you're after a weekend road trip full of nature and outdoor adventure, the South Coast of NSW has it all.The South Coast of New South Wales covers about 300km from Shoalhaven to the Victorian border and you’d better believe it, that’s a lot of territory to explore by car with plenty to see. So after you’ve gone fishing, shucked an oyster, swam from pearly white sandy beaches and seen a whale from the shoreline here are five more interesting outdoor things to do.
Barunguba Montague Island, Narooma
This tiny (less than one square kilometre) island is off the coast of Narooma and to visit, you need to join an official boat tour or have accommodation booked at the beautiful lighthouse keeper’s cottage. That’s no hardship: Barunguba is nature at its best with seals and sea lions frolicking on the rocks, little penguins nesting around the foreshore, at least 90 species of birds to spot and whales passing by on their annual migration. Enjoy the coastal walk, stay the night and you’ll feel marooned in paradise.
Bombo Headland, Kiama
Most know about the amazing Kiama Blowhole, but just a bit further north is the eerie Bombo Headland, also known as the Boneyard. This lunar landscape leads to the sea where waves crash against towering basalt columns, the remnants of cliffs quarried for blue metal gravel in the late 19th century. The combination of sea, sky and majestic landscape make for arresting (or perhaps death-defying) photo opps, especially when lit by the rising sun. Take the walk from Kiama up Bombo Beach or park nearby.
Mogo Wildlife Park, Mogo (near Batemans Bay)
The Mogo Zoo will be a definite hit with kids, but few grown-ups will fail to be impressed by this private wildlife collection’s sheer number of amazing animals. Blasé about kangaroos and koalas? Try Sumatran tigers, gorillas, cheetahs, otters, giraffes and red pandas which are among the exotic critters to be seen. Added-extra animal encounters might include playing with meerkats, feeding a rhino or even scratching a hyena and every day there are animal feeding sessions and talks by the keepers.
Cliffnic, Shoalhaven region
Partaking of a picnic while perched on a perilous precipice might not be for the fainthearted, but seems custom-designed to send those Instagram likes into hyperdrive. South Coast adventure company Outdoor Raw will organise a Cliffnic on a rocky ledge, plenty of food and drink and lower you and a friend into position somewhere in the spectacular Shoalhaven region. Safety gear is included and wedding proposals are difficult to deny - just don’t drop the champagne.
Snorkel with whales and seals, Jervis Bay
Between June and November, the waters around Jervis Bay become the playground for migrating Humpback whales and the fur seals that have colonies on both the bay’s headlands. The best way to get up close is to board a snorkelling tour with local operator Dive Jervis Bay, who will take you to these amazing marine mammals and all you have to do is swim like an otter.
Related: Five towns to stop by on NSW's Kings Highway
Related: Top tips for a weekend drive to Jervis Bay
Related: Five towns near Canberra you should road trip to this weekend
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