South

ULLADULLA PROFILE
A longtime favourite with holidaymakers, the southern Shoalhaven’s Ulladulla district has a unique and distinct holiday personality. With some of the most exquisite beaches on the east coast of Australia, rolling pastureland bounded by mountain ranges to the west, lots of quality accommodation and a good infrastructure for the visitor it has all the ingredients to make for a relaxing, happy holiday.
A trouble-free reputation and loads of natural attractions make the Ulladulla district a holiday haven, being an easy half day drive from both Sydney and Canberra. The district embraces the lush farming lands of Milton and the many beautiful beaches at Bendalong, Ulladulla, Mollymook (patrolled in summer), Wairo, Merry and Pebbly as well as the lakes of Conjola, Burrill, Tabourie, Termeil, Meroo, Willinga (Bawley Point) and Durras. It is hard to beat for water sport recreation, with safe swimming to be found in lakes and inlets, great surf beaches, excellent tidal and beach fishing, boating, windsurfing and more. Aside from these beachside activities, there’s plenty to enthrall the keen nature enthusiast, with some excellent bushwalks taking in Aboriginal middens, and a plethora of native flora and fauna to investigate. The commanding Pigeon House Mountain presents a challenge for the climber, with the view from the top unsurpassed on the eastern seaboard, encompassing 120km of coast and hinterland. From any of the coastal villages, well-mapped scenic drives can take in open expanses of pastureland, reserve forests and stunning beaches and you will never be too far from a quaint café or picturesque picnic spot.

Commercial fishing from Ulladulla Harbour brings the catch of the day in for the freshest of seafood, and local award-winning restaurants take good advantage of the fare.  There’s plenty of quality accommodation to choose from, from up-market lodges to bed and breakfasts, motels, caravan parks and holiday cottages. Tourism is one of the district’s main industries, and the friendly locals will go out of their way to make you feel welcome, whatever the season.
Annual festivals add colour to the yearly calendar, including the much-loved Blessing of the Fleet in Ulladulla Harbour, several arts festivals and the unique Scarecrow Festival and the Settlers Fair, held annually in Milton. Aside from this there are local markets held on weekends throughout the district, including the unique beach markets at Mollymook.
The Ulladulla district is a much loved part of the Shoalhaven and understandably so.  We are sure that you too will fall in love with its beauty and laid-back lifestyle and visit us again.

PIGEON HOUSE MOUNTAIN
The commanding silhouette of Pigeon House Mountain with its distinctive peak has long lured the keen bushwalker and nature enthusiast.  Its dominating presence at 719m above sea level can be seen from the coast from Milton in the north to Burrill Lake in the south.
The mountain was renamed from the aboriginal ‘Dithol’ by Captain James Cook in 1770 when he sailed up the east coast of Australia on his voyage of discovery. The drive to the base of the mountain is approximately 30km from Ulladulla and is recommended for 4 wheel drive vehicles only, being rough in many places and difficult to negotiate in wet conditions. It passes through eucalypt forests of spotted gum, bloodwood and silvertop ash as well as many varied creek and gully species of vegetation such as sandpaper figs, cabbage fan palms and heathland grevilleas, hakeas and pea-flowered plants. The car park at the base of the mountain has picnic tables, barbecue and a toilet. A well-graded walking track leads from here for a 5km return walk to the top, with the walk divided into Stages 1 to 4.  Stage 1 is a steep 800m, Stage 2 is a flat 1km from the top of the first cliff line, Stage 3 is a steep 500m climb and stage 4 is a series of steel ladders attached to the cliff face.  Once at the top, you will be rewarded with one of the most spectacular panoramas on the eastern seaboard, with views taking in the Budawang Wilderness, Morton National Park and glorious views east to the coast and sea. We highly recommend that you check with the visitors centre as to the condition of the road prior to commencing this drive.

MILTON/ NARRAWALLEE/ MOLLYMOOK
The charming township of Milton, with its arts and craft stores, excellent cafes and restaurants, unique designer shops and quality accommodation has long been a favourite with visitors and provides a great base for exploring the local attractions.  The character of Milton is enhanced by its many historic buildings, to the extent that the entire town has now been classified by the National Trust as an historic village. Milton’s personality extends to some unique festivals, including Tabula Rasa Arts Festival, the Scarecrow Festival held annually and the more traditional Milton Settlers Fair, while its village markets are a true reflection of the many skilled tradespeople living in the area. Accommodation is available in bed & breakfasts, luxury retreats, a motel, hotels and a caravan park.
Travelling further, the drive takes in Narrawallee, which has two delightful beaches and picnic grounds with fresh water, barbecue and toilet facilities. Beautiful coastal views can be seen from several lookouts which take in panoramic views both north and south. Accommodation is available in holiday homes and cottages, units and flats.
Situated between Milton and Ulladulla is the town of Mollymook whose name is believed to have come from a species of Albatross, the Mollyhawk.  The first settlers to the area came in 1859, building a house called the Molly Moke where Garside Road is today. Mollymook’s stunning beachside location is complemented by golf courses and a good selection of accommodation, many enjoying outstanding views over the beach and ocean, and all within a few minutes walk to the sea.

ULLADULLA/ BURRILL LAKE/ DOLPHIN POINT
One of the most picturesque spots in the Shoalhaven, Ulladulla boat harbour, with its distinctive rocky breakwater, is the natural hub of this delightful seaside township. The harbour has played an important role in the development of the  area, its establishment in 1859 providing a necessary port for the local pioneering trades of sawmilling, farming, and a tannery. Cargo provisions were traditionally unloaded on the beach. Today the harbour shelters local leisure craft and a fleet of commercial trawlers.  Ulladulla is renowned for its seafood, and the local co-operative at the harbour is a great place to buy ‘fresh off the boat’ fish-of-the-day. The colourful Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony is held annually on the harbour breakwater.  This is a time-honoured custom borne by local Italian/Australian fishermen, where trawlers are decorated and blessed and a carnival-like family atmosphere pervades with much bon ami, all capped off with a spectacular fireworks display over the harbour.
Aside from delectable seafood, Ulladulla’s annual Food and Wine Festival by the Sea and the annual Tabula Rasa arts festival both lend colour and character to the areas already manifest attractions, adding to its reputation as a providores heaven.
For the visitor, there are some fine restaurants in town (all easy to find) and an excellent cultural walking track at North Head.  Constructed in two loops of 1km each, the tracks are suitable for wheelchair access, and are a fascinating journey into the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal history of the area.  They take in Aboriginal carved artworks and travel on to stunning lookouts over the harbour and coastline.
A further 5km south on this drive will bring you to the scenically beautiful townships of Burrill Lake and Dolphin Point. Surrounded by natural bushland, their unspoilt beauty provides excellent fishing spots and safe boating, sailing and windsurfing.  Accommodation is available in motels, caravan parks and holiday cottages, all close to the lake and beach.

HINTERLAND DRIVE/ BROOMAN/ SHALLOW CROSSING
This is a good 4 wheel drive trip over mostly gravel roads that travels through the Meroo National Park, Flat Rock State Forest and further on to the top a natural ridgeline.  Abundant wildflowers in spring will reward the sightseer and some superb views from the top of the ridgeline take in Pigeon House Mountain to the west and out to the infinity of the Pacific Ocean to the east. The road then runs parallel to the Clyde River and through the farming community of Brooman, noted for its berry farms and wineries.  Past Brooman is the aptly named Shallow Crossing, with a concrete causeway crossing the river and leading to an excellent picnic ground and swimming spot. At times of high water, the causeway becomes impassable and visitors are requested to check with the Visitors Centre prior to commencing this drive.

DURRAS NORTH/ MURRAMARANG NATIONAL PARK/ PEBBLY BEACH/ BAWLEY POINT/ PRETTY BEACH/ TABOURIE LAKE
Kangaroos on the beach? Where else will you find kangaroos with sun and surf ‘beach culture attitude’ than at the southern end of the Shoalhaven!  The Murramarang National Park covers 12,000 hectares from north of Merry Beach to Batemans Bay in the south, and along its perimeter sit these charming coastal villages.  Long a favourite with holiday-makers, they offer a unique perspective on our unspoilt coastline together with good swimming, surfing, fishing, picnicking, bushwalking and nature study. There are several rustic camping areas for those who like to ‘rough it’ a little with the ample rewards of living alongside prolific bird and animal life, and within a stones-throw to the beach. Other accommodation is available in caravan parks, bed and breakfasts, motels, units and holiday cottages.
Tabourie Lake is a haven for native birds and is mostly suited to flat-bottomed non-motorised boats.  It provides a good range of holiday accommodation and some shopping infrastructure for the holiday-maker.
For those interested in cultural history, the southern Shoalhaven area is noted for its Aboriginal middens which are scattered throughout this scenic drive. One such midden, located in the Murramurang Aboriginal Reserve is estimated to have been in continual use for 12,000 years. It is also home to a wide range of alternate arts and crafts, available through local outlets. Check with the Visitors Centre for further information.