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Visit Shoalhaven: The Ultimate Girls’ Trip!

Are you planning a luxury hen’s weekend of non-stop pampering? Maybe you want to catch up on a girls’ trip over some delicious food and wine? Or you might just want to shop till you drop in some of our lovely and unique boutiques. Whatever your vibe, we certainly have plentiful options to ensure you have the ultimate girls’ trip.

 

The Shopping Trail

Our beautiful heritage towns and coastal villages are a nice change of pace from big city shopping centres and superstores. Dependent on what you’re shopping for, the certainly Shoalhaven has an array of wonderful boutiques that are well worth exploring. Whether you’re looking for a new wardrobe or just getting some inspiration for that guest bedroom, we have you covered!

 

Clothing

The first port of call for a shopping holiday would have to be Berry. For example, main strip is full of cute stores that are filled with elegant offerings. For fashion, head to Regal Girls. A perfect pit stop for moms and teenage daughters, or enhance your leisure wear at Bedroom Bliss. More than a pyjama shop – indulge your senses in the softest sleepwear and sweet aromas at this exceptional store. For something a little bit more unique, Juniper Hearth is well worth checking out. Curated from across the globe, the fashion and textile collection highlights exquisite pieces from India and Nepal.

 

While in Huskisson’s shopping district, visit Babylon, a creative store offering clothing for men, women, and children, along with abundant gifts. Seeking a boho chic vibe? Visit Nowra’s cool and casual Bambi Run for a touch of effortless style. The shop is full of girly pieces, a perfect place to find a laid back south coast outfit for your trip! Keep going along the Princes Highway into Milton, which is filled with tonnes of fantastic boutiques.

Apple & Arrow has something for the little ones as well as mum and Ashiki Life & Style Boutique provides glamorous shopping with a view. Just a little further south in Ulladulla, there are some definite shopping hotspots that are popular amongst both locals and visitors. Sachi Boutique is just a short walk from harbour views. Pipi’s Boutique has all the latest trends. And for a spot of shopping combined with a delicious cup of coffee, head on down to Craft Surf. The minimalist store is filled with stylish collections of surf hardware, modern beach clothing and fashionable accessories.

 

Homewares

The Shoalhaven is an excellent shopping region for all your homewares needs. Our beautiful boutiques are jam packed with all the decoration inspiration you’ll ever need! Whilst in Berry, peruse Milkwood HomeMoss Nest or Cabana Jo’s. An elegant addition to any space is a bunch of flowers, so why not grab a beautiful arrangement from Shady Fig to take home with you?

Towards the coast, you’ll find Indigo Love in Huskisson, which features an incredible selection of homewares and décor that have been sourced from all over the world. The final homewares stop along your shopping trip would have to be in Milton. The town is becoming well known as a cultural centre for artists and creatives and the shopping scene is thriving. Chieftain Trading Company and Home at Last have a collection of unique items as well as some excellent gift ideas.

 

Bric-a-Brac

Those interested in more unique or unusual pieces should pay a visit to Kinghorne Traders, one of the Shoalhaven’s wonderful bespoke co-op shops. Like an outdoor market, co-ops allow for negotiating on price and you are often able to meet the maker of the good. Ulladulla Collective is another co-op with lots of creative traders, including SLOW, from the region as well as further abroad. It can be found in a newly refurbished building with a lot of artisanal charm. For the more traditional bric-a-brac shoppers, pop past Huskisson Market, which runs on the second Sunday of every month.

 

Bed and Breakfasts

Experience a true country vibe at one of our quaint bed and breakfasts, a perfect way to unwind with the girls. Milton Bed & Breakfast is a beautiful cottage where you can book a room or even rent out the entire house for larger groups. Another excellent B’n’B option is award-winning Crystal Creek Meadows in Kangaroo Valley. This eco-friendly country getaway also doubles as a day spa retreat. That’s right, the pampering service comes to you in your own private cottage! We highly recommend booking the divine girls pamper package during your stay.

 

Luxury Accommodation

For those very special occasions, why not splash out and book a room at Bannisters Pavillion or  Bannisters by the Sea? This luxury hotel is an ideal place to stay for a lavish weekend with the girls. Indulge yourself in the penthouse suites with breathtaking ocean views or choose one of the three terrace suites for some privacy. A stay in one of these rooms must be capped off with an opulent dinner at the Rick Stein restaurant, located on site. This one-hatted dining experience will surely be one to remember.

 

Get Your Caffeine Fix

We’ve got our fair share of delicious coffee in the Shoalhaven to keep your girls’ trip filled with tonnes of energy! Two highly recommended cafes in Nowra are Hyper Hyper Coffee – for a strong caffeine hit that packs a punch and the Nowra Cafe Store Cafe – for a scrumptious baked delight to go with your coffee.

Need a break from the coffee and want to opt for tea instead? A great activity to pencil into your girls’ trip is a traditional high tea at Cambewarra Estate Winery. Be sure to book ahead so the table is set ready for you in the vines on a beautiful sunny day.

 

Wine and Dine

Our region is filled with some of the best produce you can find in New South Wales. So it should come as no surprise that the Shoalhaven is the perfect place for a fantastic dinner out with the girls. For something chilled and a bit low key, pull up a seat at Harvest Bar Milton. They have an excellent food menu that is easily shareable plus some very impressive cocktails! For something a little bit fancier, we recommend booking a table at the wonderful Gunyah Restaurant at Paperbark Camp. This highly acclaimed restaurant offers up some brilliant fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere set amoungst the tree tops.

 

After sampling the delicious food, why not try having a go yourself with a Flavours of the Valley cooking class? There are a variety of options such as ‘Traditional Italian’, ‘Exotic Moroccan’, ‘Spanish Tapas’, ‘Country High Tea’. Or you can even take part in preparing for (and eating of course!) ‘The Farmers Table – Long Country Lunch’ which is a 5 course Mediterranean menu using local Shoalhaven produce. Delicious!

Now a girls’ trip just wouldn’t be complete without a trip to a vineyard for some wine tasting. And we definitely have many incredible wineries scattered across the region. Two Figs and Coolangatta Estate and Cambewarra Estate are not far from beautiful Berry. Further south you’ll also find the lovely Cupitt’s in Ulladulla and Bawley Vale Estate in Bawley Point.

 

Sweet Treats

A weekend away is the perfect time to indulge in some locally-made delights. To satisfy your sweet tooth you can’t go past Kangaroo Valley Fudge House and Ice-creamery where you can watch the fudge being made, right in front of you. In historic Berry, you can’t miss the Berry Donut Van on the main street, serving up the best cinnamon donuts ever! There’s usually a queue out front which is always a good sign and we definitely think these freshly made treats are well worth the wait! Just a stone’s throw away you’ll also find The Berry Tea Shop, a must-visit for some delicious scones.

 

Health & Wellness

Just because you’re on holiday, it doesn’t mean that you need to sacrifice your usual wellness regime. Grab the group and head down to the beach for a private sunrise or sunset yoga session with Milton Yoga Hub. It’s a great way to really relax and our beaches provide the most picturesque of settings. This is a fantastic activity to book for a calm and peaceful hen’s weekend where you just want to chill out with the girls.

For groups who might be a bit more adventurous and want to learn a new sport, why not take part in a women’s surf retreat with the legendary Pam Burridge? You will get to stay in a retro beach house and learn how to ride the waves together!

 

The Shoalhaven is the perfect place for your next girls trip. With a variety of things to do, there’s something here for all the ladies to enjoy. Your group of gal pals might even end up making a South Coast holiday a regular thing!

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