Are you planning a big adventure with your best mates? Maybe you’re all celebrating on a hen’s or buck’s weekend or throwing a big party for a milestone birthday? Whatever the occasion, we have a diverse range of activities for all types of groups. There are foodie adventures, plenty of action in the great outdoors and luxury accommodation options that will make you feel instantly spoilt. Our group holiday guide is here to give you a little bit of inspiration to make that special day much more memorable.
Hen’s Holiday Ideas
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Celebrate the bride to be with a beautiful High Tea experience at Camberwarra Estate Winery. You can choose to dine outside amongst the grape vines or settle inside the vineyard’s cosy tea room. Guests are served up a delicious mix of sweet and savoury nibblies, including macarons, scones, sandwiches and tartlets. All accompanied with a choice of tea from the extensive gourmet selection. This truly is a wonderful way to celebrate a hen’s party, bridal shower or kitchen tea – where your group of gal pals can treat themselves a little bit and spend some quality time together. While you’re in the area, another excellent culinary experience is a private Bite Around Berry Tour with Foodscape. This walking tour takes you through the heart of Berry to discover its bustling foodie scene. Tour guests will have the opportunity to visit speciality retailers, artisan producers and local eateries and get a feel for the Shoalhaven’s incredible local produce. The walking tour is not only a fantastic hen’s group adventure, it’s also a great way to get the lay of the land and familiarise yourselves with Berry village.
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Add a touch of glam to your hen’s party escape and stay at stunning Mt Hay Retreat. Depending on how large your group is, you can book out every single one of the 5 luxury suites and have the entire place all to yourselves. Perched high atop the green rolling pastures of Broughton Head, this peaceful sanctuary has everything your group will need to make you feel relaxed and spoilt. The property has a large heated pool that overlooks a tranquil bush setting and special pamper packages that include massage treatments, French champagne and a cheese platter. The uninterrupted views that stretch all the way to the ocean are just spectacular and the retreat is the most luxurious setting for a special occasion.
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With a large variety of boutiques and antique stores in Berry, it’s easy to shop till you drop! Head out for the day on your own or book a private tour with Luxe South Coast. This boutique tour company designs their experiences for women to be able to switch off from their busy lives and take a moment for themselves. Their popular Berry, Bubbles & Boutiques package includes a walking tour of all the must-visit Berry shops as well as some unique rural stores that ooze country charm. Guests will also get the chance to visit Nourish Kitchen and take part in a VIP shopping and foodie event. Depending on what you’re after, your group can even customise your own bespoke tour with Luxe South Coast. Maybe you want to spend a whole day shopping but end with a lovely sundowner session at a local winery? All requests and ideas are welcome and the friendly team will do their best to accommodate your needs and create a personalised experience to remember.
Buck’s Holiday Ideas
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Grab a gourmet bite and refreshing beer at Cupitts Brewery in Ulladulla. This South Coast craft brewery is part of Cupitt’s Winery and offers up thirst-quenching brews with breathtaking views. The best way to start your visit is by relaxing on the grass that overlooks the vineyard with a tasting paddle and ploughman’s plate. The property is tucked behind the rolling hills of Milton and the outdoor seating area boasts unrivalled views of the region. The brewery itself isn’t open to the public but all the beers can be enjoyed at Cupitt’s on-site Budawang Bar. Your buck’s group, however, can book a behind the scenes Tour + Taste Experience, which takes visitors through the brewery as well as the winery and fromagerie. Another South Coast watering hole to pop on the list is HopDog Beerworks in Nowra, an ale only brewery that is the brainchild of ex-Lord Nelson brewer Tim Thomas. A sip on their Cosmic Highway pale ale and a Hopsology beer education afternoon (which includes a delicious cheese platter!) is a must while you’re here.
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Make your home away from home a luxurious suite at Bannisters Pavilion in Mollymook. The crew will love this lush and modern hotel, which has all the ingredients for a fun, party weekend. The venue is fully equipped with its own rooftop bar and grill and even has a suspended pool that’s surrounded by sun beds, umbrellas and private lounge areas. Grab a cocktail and then take a dip, it’s the perfect coastal getaway for a celebratory holiday. If you’d prefer to have the entire clan in the one house then opt to stay in one of our spectacular waterfront abodes instead. We’ve got a huge selection scattered throughout the regions including gems like All Decked Out in Lake Conjola, Surfside on Mollymook and Narrawallee Holiday House. There’s nothing like being able to wake up right next to the sea and go for a refreshing morning swim before some bachelor related festivities.
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Hit the waves on your boys’ adventure, you are on the South Coast after all! A few hours spent in the ocean is always exhilarating fun. For newcomers to surfing, a great way to learn the ropes as a group is by booking a lesson with one of our local surf schools. We’ve got plenty all throughout the region so you’re never far from the experts no matter where you’re staying. There’s Culburra Beach Surf School, Walking on Water in Ulladulla and Pam Burridge Surf School, just to name a few. For an outdoor experience that’s a little bit different, embark upon a survival tour with Blue Gum Bushcraft. As a team, you’ll learn all the bushcraft basics to equip you in the wild, including knife work, knots and firelighting. If you feel like combining both the land and sea adventures together in one package, head out on a tour with Bush Surfaris. The popular ‘Bush Surfari’ package includes a surfing lesson and a knowledgeable guide that provides information on the local landscapes, history and native flora and fauna.
Group Birthday Celebrations
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A milestone birthday always calls for a night of delicious food fuelled by some decadent drinks. We’ve got a fantastic South Coast foodie scene, with creative chefs that use only the freshest local produce and know exactly how to let the ingredients shine. Wharf Rd in Nowra is a great venue for large groups and the outdoor deck that overlooks the water is a beautiful setting for a special occasion. For those who prefer a more rustic venue, settle in for a night of tapas and cocktails at Harvest Bar in Milton. The food menu here is designed to share so order up a storm and sample a little bit of everything. You might even be lucky enough to be visiting on a night where the bar puts some live music too. If you feel like having a celebration closer to the beach then venture down to Tallwood in Mollymook and feast on their amazing contemporary Australian menu. An entrée of Clyde River oysters is a must and you can opt for the easy “Feed Me Menu” where the chefs bring out a selection of their signature dishes. How easy is that?
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Keep the whole gang together under the one roof in a beautiful beach house. Albatross in Culburra Beach boasts breathtaking views of Beecroft Head to the south and Mt Coolangatta to the north. The enormous and beautifully designed property has room for up to 9 people and is ideal for group birthday gatherings. The large 5-bedroom Bella Beecroft holiday house is just a short drive down the road and is a stone’s throw to the famous Currarong Rockpools. During the winter you can get toasty in front of the fireplace or have a barbecue on the deck during those long and luscious summer days. There’s a big fenced backyard at this property and groups travelling with pets are encouraged to stay. Indulge in a little slice of the Hamptons life in Jervis Bay. Hyamptons is a glamorous escape that overlooks the stunning, pristine waters of Hyams Beach. The holiday pad can house up to 8 adults, has two outdoor entertainment areas and a lavish plunge pool surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.
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Lap up a little bit of luxury and book your own private charter and discover our pristine coastline like never before. With Jervis Bay Sailing Charters you can book a private catamaran for up to 12 people which includes your own professional skipper. Unwind on board in the spacious enclosed saloon, head to the bow for the chance to spot some local dolphins or relax on the forward trampoline area. The voyage will take you around Jervis Bay Marine Park and Booderee National Park. If you happen to be throwing a big hoorah and want to take the party out on the water, then speak to Jervis Bay Wild, whose scenic tours can cater for larger function groups. Their Wild Essence boat can accommodate up to 48 guests and their massive 5-level Port Venture boat has room for up to 100 people!
Group Road Trip Inspiration
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Café hop your way along the coast and dine on some scrumptious local food with a delicious coffee in hand. You’ll probably need a bit of refuelling in between all the driving anyway! Start in the north by grabbing a bite at Figbird in Berry. This café and deli has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and an excellent menu with all the breakfast favourites. Then adventure your way to the next pit stop along the road trip in Jervis Bay. No doubt you’ll want to explore the stunning white sand beaches but make sure to sit down for a meal at 5 Little Pigs in Huskisson. The burgers are delicious here and a place that calls themselves “the happiest café on the planet” is always well worth a visit. Finish up the café trail in the South of the region at Driftwood in Milton. The outside dining area is great for large groups and provides rural and ocean views – perfect on a sunny day.
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Sleep right in the thick of the Shoalhaven wilderness at Depot Beach Campground or Depot Beach Cabins. The native spotted gums that surround this campsite makes the location idyllic for a little escape. This is definitely a place where your group of mates can really switch off from the world. Set up your tents, vans, campervans or for a slightly more comfortable stay, book one of the beach or forest cabins which can house up to 6 people. Take advantage of the Stay 3, Pay 2 deal currently offered by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and get an extra night of accommodation on the house! Any reason to spend an extra day in the lush surrounds of Murramarrang National Park is a great idea. There are plenty of beautiful walks in the area and ample opportunity for surfing and fishing along this spectacular stretch of coastline.
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Whet your appetite for adventure with some of our local exploration experts. Into the Wild offers a full day Jervis Bay White Sands and Wildlife Tour which includes a variety of short walks, including a very special one through a small sandstone tunnel! Guests get the chance to experience first hand and learn a bit more about all the plants and animals that call the South Coast home. Because the journey is guided by a wildlife expert, you’ll be able to soak up a tonne of local knowledge about this diverse region that many visitors usually miss. Region X is also famous for their selection of epic adventure tours with the ultimate Murramarang Great Walk package. This 3-day hike will take your group through glorious beaches and amazing forests, all within Murramarang National Park.
