Whether you combine them into one epic week-or-so on the road or squeeze them into a weekend, these quaint towns are packed with charm. We’ve personally visited all of them, either as overnight stays or pitstops on larger road trips and have absolutely no regrets visiting each one.
Our favourites: Best South Coast towns
Berry
With its main drag Queen Street lined with general stores selling nick nacks, classic ice creameries and clothes you won’t find at any Westfield in Sydney.
If you’re just passing through for a stretch of the legs and have time to just one thing in town, visit the Berry Donut Van. We’ve never managed to skip a fresh, warm donut from here when in town. No visit to Berry is complete without a warm, cinnamon sugar donut from the iconic spot.
Where is it? 2 hours south of Sydney (144 kilometres)
Where should you visit if you only have time for one thing? Berry Donut Van.
Kiama
A frequent day trip of ours, this stunning gem on the south coast is easily one of our favourites. Where lush, green hills meet the sea, Kiama is just far enough away from the city to make it feel like a getaway, but close enough to also be manageable as a day trip.
It’s got beautiful beaches, coastal walks, towering lighthouses, nearby wineries and one of the region’s most unique attractions: a natural blowhole that spews water as high as 30 metres into the air.
Where is it? 1.5 hours south of Sydney (123 kilometres)
Where should you visit if you only have time for one thing? Kiama Blowhole.
Milton
With the charm and looks of a country town, but just a few kilometres from the ocean, Milton’s historic village is perfect for stretching your legs on the way further down the coast. But it’s nearby wineries, bushwalking tracks and farm-to-table restaurants may have you wanting to stay a bit longer.
We love passing through the town on our way down south, and can’t resist popping into the Heritage Bakery for a piping hot pie. We’ve also spent the weekend at a holiday house overlooking the stunning coastline just outside town.
Where is it? 3 hours south of Sydney (220 kilometres)
Where should you visit if you only have time for one thing? A wine tasting or lunch at Cupitt’s Estate.
Mogo
This tiny town has an equally cute name and main street. Lined with local stores, ice cream shops and a very unique pottery housed in an old church, Mogo has a population of less than 300 people.
We’ve both passed through Mogo on the way further down the coast and stayed nearby in South Durras and spent the day exploring the town, including its surprisingly impressive zoo. The Mogo Wildlife Park is home to giraffes, zebras, tigers, meerkats and lions, which you can see without the crowds (or prices) of Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.
Where is it? 3.5 hours south of Sydney (287 kilometres)
Where should you visit if you only have time for one thing? Mogo Zoo.
Bodalla
If you need an excuse to stop and get ice cream on a sunny, summer day, Bodalla is it. The yellow weatherboard cheese factory and shop is exactly what you’d picture when you hear about a small town dairy and the ice cream it churns on the premises is just as delicious as it is refreshing. We indulged in some of the bush tucker flavours, which included native ingredients like Kakadu plum, wattleseed, lemon myrtle and lilly pilly.
Of course, there are a few small shops in town as well for those interested in something other than cheese and ice cream.
Where is it? 4 hours south of Sydney (330 kilometres)
Where should you visit if you only have time for one thing? Bodalla Dairy Shed.
Narooma
Home to natural lazy rivers and some incredibly friendly seals, Narooma is a true treasure amongst these south coast towns. Getting to be a bit of a drive from Sydney (it’s probably best visited on a long weekend or as part of a larger road trip), the journey is well worth it.
Along the coast you’ll find quiet beaches with barely a soul around, yet the town has a surprising amount of bustling Merivale establishments with plenty of fresh, local oysters to go around.
Where is it? 4.5 hours south of Sydney (356 kilometres)
Where should you visit if you only have time for one thing? Barunguba Montague Island for swimming with seals (you’ll need to join a guided tour).
