South Coast, New South Wales, offers a wide variety of natural wonders, with coastal forests, rugged mountains, rural countryside and beautiful beaches. It is a perfect getaway all year round and there is plenty to do. Whether it is camping with kangaroos, walking on white sandy beaches, hiking through the many national parks in the area or browsing through antique shops, there is something for everyone with accommodations available for every budget. The southern coast of New South Wales begins at Sydney's Royal National Park and ends at Eden, almost at the border of Victoria. This stretch of coastline is known for its pristine beaches, exotic wildlife like penguins and whales, and some beautiful seaside towns and villages along the Great Pacific Drive.
Illawarra
Driving south out of Sydney leads one to the Illawarra region, with the last of the larger cities and industrial towns in New South Wales. The mountains with their proximity to the sea is felt most in this region, where there are many lookouts on the Eastern Escarpment that provide spectacular views southwards into Wollongong, an industrial city, and out into the Tasman Sea. Magnificent beaches offer a typical Australian getaway with all the comforts of upmarket luxury. The beaches have excellent surfs and Lake Illawara is a popular destination for water sports, including hand gliding. South of Wollongong is Shellharbor, a very popular summer holiday resort town.
The slopes of the Illawarra escarpment are rainforest lands. The Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area has many accessible roadways and hiking trails dotted with lookouts that give spectacular views of the coast. The Royal National Park is perhaps the only obstacle that stops Wollongong from expanding into being a suburb of Sydney. This coastal park protects almost 16,500 hectares of land and 32km of coast, it is criss-crossed with numerous walking trails and has some beautiful beaches, though most are not patrolled and currents can be dangerous.
Shoalhaven
With a rich diversity of natural attractions, Shoalhaven has some of the best destinations that New South Wales has to offer. Jervis Bay, the most popular destination in the Shoalhaven area, is a large protected bay with white sandy beaches and blue waters. Nowra being the largest town here, it can serve as a base for explorations inland or anywhere else along the coast. It is well worth considering a trip into Morton National Park for a look at the magnificent Fitzroy Falls, where waters roars down 81m to the bottom. For the lucky few the trails through this area may reveal a platypus or a lyrebird. For those looking for a respite from the sea, the little towns of Berry and Kangaroo Valley are the perfect getaways, with antique shops and quaint cafes.
For more on the Shoalhaven coastline, visit South Coast NSW - Jervis Bay and South Coast NSW - From Nowra to Kiama
Eurobodalla
This Land of Many Waters is often said to be a place where people return to experience how they would prefer to live. This region is simple, small town area that is yet unspoiled. The blue of the coast, the many lakes and inlets is interspersed with the green of forests filled with native wildlife. Originally a part of the homeland of the Yuin people, this area is excellent for those waiting to see dolphins and whales in the waters off the coast. The major towns are Moruya, Bodalla and the historic villages of Mogo and Nelligen. The hinterland mountains are criss-crossed with numerous walking trails that provide opportunities to see the local wildlife. The beach at Bateman's Bay is claimed by Canberra to be it's "official beach"!
Sapphire Coast
Also known as Bega Valley, Sapphire Coast is often compared to Queensland's Gold Coast for it's blue waters. This is the southernmost coastal region in the state. Wallaga Lake in the northern part takes travelers through a cultural experience with the local Aboriginal peoples. For those interested in fishing, Bermagui is perfect. Bega, the commercial hub of the Sapphire Coast, is also famous for it's cheese. The community at Merimbula is centered around beautiful lakes and it's proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Eden is the first town north of the Victorian border, where the busiest part of town is the local wharf when the fishing boats come in. Migrating whales are often sighted off the coast of Eden and whale-watching is one of the main tourist activities here. The village of Cobargo is worth as a day trip for all the handicrafts it has to offer.
Tourist information for almost every major place in the south coast of New South Wales is available on many websites, but it is well worth having a car to explore this region to it's fullest. Cityrail connections are available between Sydney and most major tourist hubs.
Sources
South Coast New South Wales, Travel and Tourism Australia on The Travel South Website. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
Sharmishta Sarkar - I hold a Masters degree in ecology and have been a wildlife biologist for about 5 years. I decided to give up on an active life of field ...
