Overview
If you're a Sydneysider, chances are you've spent some summers swimming at south coast beaches. Or, you've escaped to the likes of Kangaroo Valley, Berry or Milton for a wintry weekend of wining, dining and sitting by an open fire. From pristine coastline to lush bushland and rolling green hills, the Shoalhaven region is — as its name suggests — a holiday haven. Plus, it's close enough to spend just 48 hours there but far enough to leave the city grind behind.
So far, 2020 has seen us stay in Sydney more than we'd like. With devastating bushfires raging across the region, we had to forego our annual summer trips and stay put at home. Then, COVID-19 spiked in Australia, causing nationwide restrictions on travel. Although travel is back on the cards now, it's not like we're spending all of our time at our go-to holiday destinations. But our favourite places to visit have been struggling from months of lower amounts of tourism. So, if you want your favourite Shoalhaven winery, cafe, restaurant, boutique shop or place to stay to be there when you can finally book in a trip away, your best bet is to help them out now.
To help you do so, we've partnered up with Shoalhaven Tourism to showcase five delicious and beautiful gifts you can buy from your couch that'll bring the south coast to you. By sending some of your money there, you'll support the local, independent and family-run businesses you love to hit up on holidays so they're still there for your next one.
Cupitt's Estate
TOP-NOTCH WINE
One thing it seems we love equally as much on holiday as we do in iso is wine. While the Shoalhaven may not be as famed a wine region as the Hunter or Mudgee, it produces some pretty tasty drops. So, why not get some south coast vinos delivered straight to your door? Cupitt's Estate may be the most obvious choice, sure, but it is for good reason. From its easy-drinking riesling and rosé to its Provenance Pinot and Slaughterhouse Red, the vineyard has an impressive range to choose from. You check out Cupitt's full range of grape juice here. On the slopes of Cullunghutti, as it is called by the local Yuin people — or Mt Coolangatta — is another award-winning winery: Coolangatta Estate. It also happens to be the site of the Shoalhaven's first settlement. Known for its reds, this vineyard is selling its primo vino online and delivering across the country for a flat rate of $15. Better yet, if you buy a six-pack of wine, it'll throw in an extra bottle for free. Cambewarra Estate Winery is another one delivering its goods, offering free shipping on orders of six wines or more to anywhere in Australia. You can view its wine selection here and place an order by emailing brett@cambewarraestate.com.au or calling (02) 4446 0170. And, if you're still thirsty, your last virtual cellar door stop should be Silos Estate and Wileys Creek, set within 40 hectares of land just outside of the historic town of Berry. Silos grows seven different grape varieties — chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, semillon, merlot, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and malbec — and the crew prune and pick all the vines by hand. The result: high-quality small-batch wines, which you can order online via its website. When you travel down the coast next time, you'll want to pop into this picturesque vineyard, have lunch at its restaurant and visit its onsite alpaca farm.
Kangaroo Valley Olives
LOCAL PRODUCE AND GOURMET GOODS
No doubt you'll want some gourmet snacks to go with your tipples, too. Boutique olive producer Kangaroo Valley Olives has everything from plump, juicy olives (of course) to oils, tapenades, vinegars and dukkah on its online store. Everything is produced and processed onsite, resulting in the highest quality goods. So it's a good place to look if your pantry is in need of a bit of an upgrade. To order, call 0447491245 or email info@kangaroovalleyolives.com.au. If you've ever been to a trip to Berry, chances are you stopped off at The Treat Factory — one of the biggest gourmet food producers on the south coast. From preserves, relishes, spices and salts to nougats, syrups and lollies, The Treat Factory's got it. While you can't visit its digs on Old Creamery Lane, you can still get its delicious goods delivered to you via its website. If you just want the sweet stuff, then look no further than Clayridge Honey and Woodstock Chocolate Co. to get your next sugar fix. Clayridge is known for its raw, natural honey, specialising in varietal honey from Australian eucalyptus. Right now, you can get free delivery across Sydney metro for orders over $40 — and that includes a three-kilogram tub of premium nectar for $43.50. Meanwhile, Woodstock Chocolate Co. has just about every kind of handcrafted treat to satisfy a chocolate connoisseur. Head to its online store and you'll find truffles, chocolate bars and barks, choc-coated nuts and honeycomb, rocky road, turkish delight and dipped waffle cones — all delivered to you with express shipping for $15.
Nathan Harradine-Hale
SPECIALTY BREWS
One of the best pastimes on vacation is hitting up the local cafes and settling in for a leisurely morning of sipping coffee or tea. So, why not bring the barista to your kitchen by buying specialty roasts and teas from your favourite holiday spots? For the caffeine fiends among us, Nowra's Hyper Hyper Coffee and Huskisson's metallic coffee-slinging 50s-style van, Merciers, have you covered. From Hyper Hyper's website, you can get two different blends — Blend 6 and Cut Snake — plus drinking chocolate and decaffeinated beans. At the moment, Merciers only has its air-roasted Jervis Bay Blend available for delivery, but you can also sign up for a fortnightly or monthly coffee subscription here. If you're more of a tea drinker, you're probably more familiar with the oh-so-quaint Berry Tea Shop. Dedicated to all things tea — from rare leaves to pots, cups and tea cosies — it's sure to delight even the most discerning of tea lovers (and grannies). Sure, you can't go there at the moment and sit down for a cuppa and a slice of cake, but you can still get its brews to enjoy from the comfort of your home. You can have a virtual browse here. For something stronger, Jervis Bay craft brewery Flamin Galah Brewing Co is delivering cases of cold ones across Sydney. Check out its full range of tinnies and merch here.
Appleye Jewellery
FUN HOMEWARES AND ACCESSORIES
To keep with the culinary theme, you can buy some tongue-in-cheek, pop art-inspired tea towels, which are sure to brighten up your kitchen. This Old House Studio, located in the heart of Berry, is a studio and gallery and it has a whole range of pun-heavy cloths. The ones with Freddie Mercury, Dolly Parton and David Bowie's alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, are among the best — and they're all available for shipping to Sydney. For more fun-yet-functional kitchenware, Meraki Home & You has plenty. Want to eat watermelon out of a bowl that looks like one? Check out this quirky ceramic number. Getting into baking but don't have any measuring cups? Fill these flower-shaped ones with your flour. The Nowra store also has a bunch of bold mugs, decorative plates, planters, clothing, accessories and lotions all available to order online. Milton's Miss Moss and Nowra's Appleye Jewellery Designs have a bunch of jewellery that will level up your WFH wardrobe, too. Miss Moss is known for championing Australian designed, ethically made wares, so you can feel good about your online shopping habit here. We particularly like these earrings. Appleye is also an eco-conscious brand, specialising in silver, gold and semi-precious stones, and makes all of its jewels by hand. Check them out here.
Paperbark Camp
VOUCHERS FOR YOUR NEXT VISIT
If you're more keen to start prepping for your next south coast trip than you are on stockpiling goods and gifts, then load up on vouchers instead. It helps the local businesses now and it gives you a future vacay to look forward to. Over the past few years, the Shoalhaven region has gone through a bit of culinary revolution, so there are plenty of fine places to dine. Rick Stein's restaurant at Bannisters Mollymook is a must for seafood fans (gift vouchers available here). You can also plan a visit to Tallwood Eatery, which is just a stone's throw from Mollymook Beach and serves up inventive dishes like breakfast ramen, cuttlefish skewers and glazed lamb with kohlrabi and kombu oil. It's got $50, $100 and $200 vouchers you can buy online. You can also pre-pay for your next night at Milton's new bar and bistro Small Town, by calling (02) 4454 2264.
Of course, you'll need accommodation. But if you don't want to book right now, you can put some money towards your stay without any dates — which is a bit of a win-win. If you're after luxury, Mt Hay Retreat just outside of Berry has only five private suites, plus sweeping views across hilly farmland. Not to mention a heated indoor pool, a giant chess set and a 'cloud swing'. You can buy a voucher as a gift or for yourself here. If you're wanting to get back to nature on your holiday, you may want to look into Jervis Bay's stunning Paperbark Camp, which is also selling vouchers for its lush glamping tents.
For those who want to seek some thrills on their holiday, you can explore the bush canopy on ziplines and rope bridges at Trees Adventure Nowra Park. Purchase a gift card and it'll cover a 2.5-hour session — and it's valid for three years. If you're more interested in the south coast's epicurean delights, buy yourself a cooking workshop voucher at Far Meadow Table, which is home to everything from a kitchen garden to an open wood oven and Argentine grill. Typical classes run from 9.30am–3.30pm and include morning tea and a long table lunch (prepared by yours truly).
Support the Shoalhaven places you love by buying online. Check out Shoalhaven Tourism's Spend Here This Year site and bring the south coast to you.
Updated on Wednesday, June 17.