Eco-Friendly Accommodation

Stay in luxury while ticking off all your sustainability boxes and reducing your environmental impact. Broger’s End was once a run-down dairy farm which now breathes new life. It stands as a lovingly restored, eco-certified mystical escape in the countryside of Kangaroo Valley. The surrounding bushland has been completely regenerated in order for native flora to thrive. Soaking all of this natural beauty up by staying in the tin shed is a must. This luxurious eco-haven pays tribute to old and reclaimed materials with its beautiful rustic decor.

Those travelling near Jervis Bay will love being spoilt at Paperbark Camp. All of the glamorous safari tents are built on stilts here, resting high amongst the treetops. This makes for a spectacular guest experience, with the raised style of accommodation allowing the ecosystem beneath to remain preserved. Let the blissful sounds of the bush sing you to sleep. Mimosa Eco Retreat in Bawley Point is an ideal place to escape to the great outdoors. With four on-site cottages tucked away in lush bushland, it’s a tranquil getaway you should check out. All of the houses are equipped with eco-friendly products and transport you to a simpler way of life. Relax, unwind and explore the nearby unspoilt Bawley Coast.

Sustainable Food & Dining

Eating local and sustainable is easy in the Shoalhaven. With dedicated farmers, fishers and producers giving chefs the opportunity to provide fantastic paddock to plate experiences to guests. We’re famous for having some of the most pristine catchments in Australia for seafood. The oysters at many of our local restaurants have been sourced from our nearby oyster coast. Head to Milk Haus in Milton for a sustainable menu with ingredients handpicked from their very own kitchen garden. Another great way of dining more sustainably on your green getaway is by lowering your meat intake. Opt for a vegetarian meal at Pilgrims instead!

For an eco-friendly wine and dine experience, book a table at Silos Estate Winery, located just south of Berry. This vineyard is completely energy self-sufficient, with the winery running entirely on solar and wind power. We think this back to basics way of production just makes the wine taste better here. Sip a glass of their award-winning drops and explore the charming 1870s property. Don’t forget to say hello to the friendly resident alpacas! For more great foodie adventures check out our Local Producers Trail.

Treat Mother Nature with Care

Dolphin and whale watching is a popular activity in the Jervis Bay area. You’ll be happy to hear that you can take part in this sustainably. Jervis Bay Wild and Dolphin Watch Cruises are certified in Advanced Ecotourism and offer eco-boat tours that won’t harm the marine life. These guided visits allow you to get a safe distance from sea animals such as whales, dolphins and seals without disturbing their mating, feeding or causing them any distress.

Whether you are exploring on sea or land, it’s important to respect the creatures that are in their natural habitats. Did you know that jetskis often scare our local dolphins? And that our kangaroos don’t quite understand what’s happening when you try to pose for a photo with them? As much as we humans like our own personal space, this is also very much the case with wildlife too. A little respect goes a long way in helping to keep our beautiful animals happy and healthy!

Eco-Conscious Booderee

Booderee National Park is managed jointly by the local Aboriginal community and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This makes it one of the few parks of its kind. This unique collaboration means that visiting Booderee is a rich cultural experience as well as an environmentally conscious one. It hosts Australia’s only Aboriginal owned and managed botanic gardens and has stunning white sand beaches.

Many unique creatures such as bandicoots and echidnas have recently been re-introduced into the area. Eastern quolls, white-bellied sea eagles, kookaburras and sooty oystercatchers also call this area home. We cherish our birdlife in the Shoalhaven, with a South Coast Shorebird Recovery Program carried out by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. This initiative helps to reduce the rate of decline of threatened shorebirds and builds awareness around how important it is to protect nesting areas for future generations.

How Else Can You Help?

Do your bit to be a more responsible tourist, just a few simple things can go a very long way. When shopping in our local grocers and boutiques, say no to plastic and bring your own reusable bags. Some of our vendors even provide their own that you can borrow and bring back later. This is a partnership with Boomerang Bags, which not only encourages a community of sharing but also helps to reduce the large amount of plastic that often ends up in oceans. Another great way to help out Mother Nature is the Take 3 for the Sea program, which encourages visitors to take 3 pieces of rubbish every time they leave the beach, a waterway or…anywhere, really! It’s a great way to leave the land in a better state than when you found it and become a champion for protecting our oceans.

Cafe culture is also huge in the Shoalhaven too, so why not invest in a KeepCup? More than a million disposable coffee cups end up in landfill every minute! Shocking, right? So swapping out a single-use option for a cup that you can constantly reuse is a great thing. We even have our very own Shoalhaven KeepCups available at our Visitor’s Centre in Nowra. These are just three easy ways to travel more responsibly so we all can continue to embark on adventures that won’t cost the Earth.