There’s always something new to experience on NSW’s sparkling South Coast, and with spring now officially here what better time than to get those Maxxis tyres rolling on the open road for an awesome adventure. For this month’s weekender we’ve picked Nowra as our weekend destination with a pit-stop at beautiful Berry for a stickybeak, great food, heaps of friendly hospitality options and stunning scenery all part of the drive!
How to get there
About 142km and two hours of easy driving on the M1 from Sydney will get you to Berry, with Nowra just another 20 minutes (and 20km) or so away. It’s worth noting that if you have a bit more time on your hands, the famous Grand Pacific Drive is a spectacular coastal drive that takes you from the edge of the Royal National Park in Sydney, through rainforests and other natural wonders of the South Coast and Shoalhaven region, with this road also getting you to Berry and Nowra.
Best tyres for the ride
One of the very best things about Maxxis is that it offers excellent calibre tyres for just about every vehicle out on Australia’s roads with exceptional performance an absolute given! Whether you go for the superior handling Maxxis Flagship VS5 suited to a wide range of cars and SUVs, the HP5 modern touring vehicle winner, or the super amazing Maxxis RAZR AT811 all-terrain, every km you go just got safer and more enjoyable. If you need help choosing the right ones for you or advice about tread or other tyre matters, our expert (and conveniently-located) Maxxis dealers are always on hand to help.
A bit about Berry
A hearty combination of country charm, heritage and city slick, Berry is well known for having it all! Whether you plan on a quick coffee pitstop, you’re looking for a fabulous meal made from locally sourced produce, are ready to shop up a storm or want to experience some of the history of the region, Berry won’t let you down.
Farmers’ markets, small farm field days and beekeeping workshops are all on Berry’s September calendar, and as an official “Historic Town”, there’s plenty to learn about at the museum or by following the Berry Historical Walking Trail. Plus, if beautiful gardens are up your alley, the countdown is on to the Berry Gardens Festival in October, which is something you definitely won’t want to miss! Berry has a variety of wineries right on its doorstep, with award-winning Coolangatta Estate (set on an original, now restored convict village site) having accommodation, a restaurant and nine-hole golf course.
When you get to Nowra
Driving through Nowra you’ll immediately be struck by its good looks from just about every angle! Set on the banks of the Shoalhaven River, it’s a stunning and serene spot for kicking back and enjoying many outdoors’ activities or checking out the regional gallery and other highlights of the town. Here are a few ideas to get your weekend in Nowra started…
Ben’s Walk (5.5km) is a great way to enjoy the river and its surroundings, including the famous Hanging Rock (46m above the river) — from here you can literally see for miles around!
Shoalhaven Regional Gallery is a centre of art and culture in the area where artists from far and wide showcase their works, with programs such as “Drawing at the Gallery” on offer, including the option to “drop in” if you are visiting the area.
If you’re road-tripping with the family, Shoalhaven Zoo and Adventure World (with its range of native and exotic animals) is bound to be a hit! Treetops Adventure (located within the zoo grounds on the banks of the river) is Australia’s first cliff edge adventure park – imagine ziplining through the trees with some of the best river views!
There are numerous other great places to visit in-and-around Nowra include wineries and cellar doors, such as Lyrebird Ridge Organic Winery and Retreat. Here you can enjoy a wine tasting in a bushland setting, a delicious cheese platter or even an overnight peaceful country retreat stay. Other accommodation in the area is varied and suited to all budgets ranging from hotels, motels and bushland retreats to caravanning and camping options. Nowra Showgrounds has caravan sites (note that tent camping is not allowed) with wonderful river bushwalks and of course you guessed it, more amazing views!
And if you’re looking for a little more adventure, a 30-minute drive on Moss Vale Road will get you from Nowra to the super spectacular Kangaroo Valley. A wilderness wonderland for hiking, kayaking, canoeing, cycling, fishing and just about everything else outdoors (not to mention Hampden Bridge, Australia’s last surviving wooden suspension bridge), this is a destination on its own which we’ll be travelling to in the months to come… check back here soon for the Kangaroo Valley in-depth lowdown!
Before you go…Don’t forget to check those tyre pressures to make sure they’re good to go, while your tyres are still cool, before you set off on your trip. And with the cost of living (including fuel) something that’s really top of mind at the moment, there are a number of Apps (like Fuel Check) available you help stretch your buck that bit further when you fill up!
