Shoalhaven outdoors is an adventurer’s paradise, filled with a variety of activities that will get your heart pumping in Mother Nature. Exposure to nature quiets the busy mind and allows you to reset and relax. With our epic bushwalks, stunning scenery, and guided wilderness experiences, you can easily escape the hustle and bustle.
Walks
Lace up your hiking shoes and explore the Shoalhaven on foot. A walk in the wild is a great way to immerse yourself into a destination and does wonders for your physical and mental health. There’s something rejuvenating about traversing our landscape, that’s filled with captivating views and stunning flora and fauna. We have some adventurous trails for those who want to boost that adrenaline or relaxing tracks for bushwalkers who prefer to take it easy. Granite Falls Walking Track is a family favourite as it’s an easy amble that takes trekkers through some stunning eucalypt-dominated bushland. The path leads to a viewing platform with scenic views of a 63-metre-high waterfall. Additionally, for epic views of the hinterland and ocean, venture into Morton National Park to hike Mt Bushwalker or Pigeon House Mountain. Both bushwalks aren’t for the faint-hearted, with steep climbs and challenging terrain along the way.
Find out more on our walks webpage or download our comprehensive guide that provides detailed information on all our favourite Shoalhaven walks.
Rock Climbing
Discover the Shoalhaven from new heights on a rock climbing adventure. The Shoalhaven River and Nowra’s cliff-filled surrounds are world-famous hotspots for outdoor climbers. Most crags can be accessed by a short stroll from the river or via canoe. You could even embark upon a climb/canoe/camping trip over a few days along the water to really enjoy our awesome sandstone cliffs. Climb Nowra offers a selection of guided adventures, perfect for beginners all the way through to advanced climbers. They can even create a custom adventure to suit whatever expedition you might have in mind.  For something a little bit different, book a ‘Cliffnic’ with Outdoor Raw. You can dine on a selection of yummy Shoalhaven produce whilst sitting suspended off the edge of a clifftop! For those who are new to the sport, ease into the process on the climbing wall at Indoor Climb South Coast in Jervis bay.
Horse Riding
When it comes to exploring, sometimes four feet are better than two. Just outside the picturesque countryside surrounding Berry, you’ll find Regal Riding School, offering beach rides, children’s programs, lessons and trail rides. Nearby Kangaroo Valley Horses offers ‘riding camps’ during the NSW school holidays, while Eqwine Escapes offers more advanced riders an excursion along the stunning Shoalhaven escarpment, with prosecco scones at the cliff top lookout and a visit to the local winery to finish off your day. A little further south, you’ll find Valhalla Horse Riding and Farm Holidays offering a mix of trail rides and lessons, catering to all levels of experience.
Guided Adventures & Multi-Day Hikes
Did you know that 75% of our region is made up of national parks and state forests? The Shoalhaven wilderness is so vast and expansive that you often need more than one day for a proper exploration. A deeper adventure over a few days allows you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors. Head out on an overnight kayaking adventure with Kangaroo Valley Safaris or spend a few days exploring the coastline with award-winning Region X or Women Want Adventure, both offering a variety of nature-based experiences from multi-day coastal hikes to kayaking experiences. Discovering the region with a local guide means that you get to tap into incredible knowledge of the area and they are able to keep you safe at all times in unknown territory.
Mountain Biking & Road Biking
Swap the car for a bike and get to know the Shoalhaven on two wheels instead. Riding around on a bicycle in a new place helps you get the lay of the land quickly. We have some excellent bike paths through our towns and villages, providing a safer way for cyclists to travel. Jervis Bay is very bicycle-friendly, with several bike paths in the area including the Round the Bay Walk, a shared pathway that hugs the coastline and overlooks the unspoilt ocean. Mountain bikers, we understand that you’d rather hit some dirt than bitumen and have got you covered. The trio of Coondoo, Superbowl and Butterfly tracks in Currambene State Forest are an absolute must. Located 15 minutes from Nowra, these trails are excellent for any mountain biker who’s looking to hone their skills.Head further south again and you’ll find the Milton Ulladulla Mountain Bikers & Mud Mtb Park, offering 6kms of trails that can be looped for hours of fun. Still want more? Find all the information about cycling and mountain biking in the Shoalhaven here.
Family Friendly Adventures
Travelling with young ones? We have a bunch of adventure activities to inspire many family fun days. Bushwalking is always a great way to get the entire squad enjoying the outdoors together. The White Sands Walk is 8lkm return, starting at Greenfield Beach following the path south to the iconic Hyams Beach – you can take on the whole adventure, or simply go as far as little legs are willing. Leaving the coast behind and heading over the mountain to Kangaroo Valley, you’ll find the Pioneer Village Museum. Scattered over a hectare of bushland there are buildings and bridges perfect for exploring. Looking to get a little more perspective? Tianjara Falls Lookout, located in west of Nowra, is just a few hundred metres from the carpark. The small, fenced platform gives an amazing view of the waterfall along with sprawling vistas of Morton National Park. A walk amongst the treetops is also a great way to exhilarate the entire family – view Nowra from new heights on the ropes courses and zipline at Trees Adventure. Do you really want to pull your kids away from the screens? Then enrol them into the ‘Rewild Your Child’ workshop run by Blue Gum Bushcraft, where they’ll learn all about important bushcraft skills on a special nature adventure. There are a number of beautiful bushwalks and waterfalls to visit with the children on your trip so have fun exploring!
Bird Walks
For all the birdwatching enthusiasts, we have an array of bird walks where you can be sure to catch some sightings. The Bomaderry Creek Walking Track is only metres off the highway and is a little, hidden gem. Here, you’ll be able to spot some beautiful small birds like the Rockwarbler. Abrahams Bosom Reserve has two tracks, Coomies Walk and the Wreck Walk, where endangered Eastern Bristlebirds and Southern Emu-wrens live in the heathland. And further south at Narrawellee Inlet, the walking track just off Matron Porter Drive will lead you to bushland where you’ll be able to see common small birds such as fairy-wrens, White-throated Treecreepers and White-breasted Woodswallows, which are common around the inlet during summer. Download our comprehensive Bird Walks Guide for more detailed information about 12 different walks in the region.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Our pristine waters are the perfect location to dip your paddle. It’s an adventure you can enjoy all year round. The region has a wonderfully diverse offering of fresh and saltwater routes. From paddling under the Hampden Bridge, spotting dolphins at Jervis Bay, or paddling among mangroves on pristine water at Narrawallee, there is a place for you. Going with a guide has the benefits of sharing local knowledge, improving your technique and using great gear.
Start planning your trip today – visit the Kayaking and Canoeing page or download the guide.
Watersports
Diving and snorkelling? We can show you! Prefer to kitesurf? We know just the spot! Life in Shoalhaven is filled with Vitamin Sea and there are local guides to show you around, offer equipment and teach you about their favourite spots. You don’t even have to get wet if you jump onboard a luxury yacht for the day. The beautiful, protected lakes of the Shoalhaven are perfect conditions for water skiers and wakeboarders. While our surf guides know which beach is going to perform best for you on the day. Our snorkel and dive guides can even introduce you to whales and dolphins at the right time of year. Find out more at our watersports page.
Surfing
If you want to make the most of the seaside swell, why not take a surfing lesson with a local? A surf weekend in the Shoalhaven can include a cosy beachside stay or a luxury retreat. Exploring nearby towns and villages and eating delicious local food. There are surf schools right along the Shoalhaven coast, from Seven Mile Beach in the north to Mollymook in the south. You can book a group session for all your mates or the whole family. Join a class or book a one-on-one session to work on some individual techniques.
Head over to our surf page to hear from local legends Pam Burridge, Brett Burcher and Tyler Wright.
