Explore Australia

Kiama Blowhole The spectacular blowhole sprays to heights of 60 m and is floodlit at night. Beside the blowhole is a constructed rockpool and a cafe. Pilots Cottage Historical Museum has displays on the blowhole, early settlement, the dairy industry and shipping. Blowhole Pt; (02) 4232 1001.

Family History Centre: world-wide collection of records for compiling and tracing family history; Railway Pde; (02) 4233 1122. Heritage walk: includes terraced houses in Collins St and Pilots Cottage; leaflet from visitor centre. Specialty and craft shops: several in town showcasing local work; leaflet from visitor centre. Beaches: perfect for surfing, swimming and fishing.

Gerringong A coastal town with a renowned heritage museum featuring remarkable scale models of the Illawarra coast. Gerringong's name comes from the Wodi Wodi language and is said to mean 'place of peril'. It is unclear where the peril lies, however, with safe beaches ideal for surfing, swimming and fishing. Heavy rainfall means the hinterland is lush and green. 10 km S.Little Blowhole: smaller but more active than the Kiama Blowhole; off Tingira Cres; 2 km S. Bombo Headland: blue-metal quarrying in the 1880s left an eerie 'moonscape' of basalt walls and columns, which have been used in commercials and video clips; 2.5 km N. Cathedral Rocks: scenic rocky outcrop best viewed at dawn; Jones Beach; 3 km N. Kingsford Smith Memorial and Lookout: site of Charles Kingsford Smith's 1933 take-off in the Southern Cross, with panoramic views; 14 km S. Seven Mile Beach National Park: surrounded by sand dunes, this low forest is inhabited by birds and small marsupials. It makes a pretty spot for picnics and barbecues, beach fishing and swimming; 17 km S. Scenic drives: in all directions to visit beaches, rock formations, cemeteries and craft shops; brochure from visitor centre.See also Southern Highlands, p. 24

Port Hacking 70 km

In my youth, bream was a species anglers sought to put food on the table. It was a ‘kill it and fillet’ favourite. Both yellowfin and black bream fought well, but the sedentary nature of bait fishing –... Find out more

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Botany Bay 81 km

Recently I fished a hot-water outlet alongside the Kurnell refinery pier in Botany Bay, a few hundred metres from a monument dedicated to Captain James Cook’s landing in Australia in April 1770. A year before,... Find out more

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Hawkesbury-Nepean River 126 km

The Hawkesbury River is regarded as one of the most consistent waters for big mulloway, or jewfish as they are called. It was with mulloway in mind that I went to the river to fish with Colin Tannahill. The river flows... Find out more

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Lithgow to Mudgee 156 km

Early settlers following in the footsteps of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson took three weeks of hard trudging to cross the majestic Blue Mountains. These days the drive from the Penrith plains in western Sydney takes... Find out more

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Narooma Offshore 181 km

Narooma is one of those pleasant destinations that offers piscatorial delights most of the year, ranging from gamefishing offshore to rock, beach and estuary. Situated on Wagonga Inlet, the port is best known for its... Find out more

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Bermagui 210 km

Bermagui is small fishing port but a world-famous gamefishing destination. It owes its fame to an American western writer, Zane Grey, who went there in 1936. Little has changed since then. ‘Bermi’, as most... Find out more

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Yaouk Valley 227 km

It was late autumn 1997 when I  arrived in Canberra to fish with  the late Chris Hole, fly-fisherman,  author and painter. Chris offered  to take me to some of his favourite trout streams that snake... Find out more

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Tathra 241 km

Tathra is a great family destination with a mixed bag of fishing. Saltwater anglers can choose from estuary, surf, rock and blue-water, while freshwater offerings include streams and dams. The major fishing attraction... Find out more

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Port Stephens 247 km

 Port Stephens is about 220 km north of Sydney and offers a mixed bag of quality species. In the estuaries, bream, flathead, mulloway and whiting dominate the catch while beach anglers do well on tailor, whiting and... Find out more

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Futureworld Eco-Technology Centre 27 km

This smallish museum in Miller Street is definitely worth a look for those interested in the future of sustainable transport, power, water use and other conundrums of modern living. There are hands-on displays.... Find out more

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Cycling in Jervis Bay 45 km

For a pleasant family cycle with young children, hop on the safe and gentle cycling path that winds around Jervis Bay at Huskisson and Vincentia, beside beautiful coastline and some fun playgrounds. A longer bike path... Find out more

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Sailing around Jervis Bay 53 km

Imagine. No engines. Just the flapping of a sail and the splash of the waves. The South Coast’s tranquil lakes and inlets are ideal for sailing. Jervis Bay Sailing Charters is one of several operators who will take... Find out more

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Bushwalking on the South Coast, NSW 95 km

From meanders along isolated beaches and around heath-covered headlands, to long hikes up rugged mountains in Budawang, Morton or Deua national parks, the South Coast provides limitless possibilities for great... Find out more

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Taronga Zoo 98 km

One of the world’s best zoos, Taronga is involved in a wide variety of threatened species recovery operations, wildlife rehabilitation and animal research work. As well as having a great day by Sydney Harbour,... Find out more

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Kayaking in Sydney 100 km

Surprisingly, this activity has only taken off in Sydney in the past few years. With a city centred on such great waterways, there is plenty to explore, whether just for an hour or two, or a whole week. Sydney Harbour... Find out more

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Ice-climbing 117 km

In winter, the frozen cliffs around Blue Lake provide one of the only places in Australia to learn and perfect the art of ice-climbing. Multi-day courses involve a hike in with heavy packs, and camping out in the... Find out more

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Bushwalking in and around Sydney 117 km

Surprisingly, Sydney does offer some superb bushwalking through secluded bushland. Aboriginal engraving and art sites are quite common, and many are not publicised, simply leaving you to discover them, appreciate them,... Find out more

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The Great North Walk 121 km

Although it links two of Australia’s most populated cities, Sydney and Newcastle, and passes through some beautiful bushland, the Great North Walk does not get the foot traffic you might expect. A 250-kilometre,... Find out more

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Sailing - Batemans Bay 131 km

Batemans Bay Sailing Charters is eco-certified and offers sailing trips out of Batemans Bay on a 12.5-metre catamaran, from a three-hour cruise around the bay to overnight excursions.... Find out more

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Macquarie Links International Golf Club 76 km

Shanghai, Guam, Bali, Sabah, Bangkok, Singapore, Alaska, Hawaii; American course designer Robin Nelson has spent much of the past 30 years travelling from one exotic destination to another, putting his next project in... Find out more

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New South Wales Golf Club 83 km

Few courses anywhere can rival New South Wales for its array of fascinating and spectacularly natural seaside holes. Laid out across sometimes dramatic, undulating topography on the La Perouse peninsula – with... Find out more

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St Michael’s Golf Club 84 km

St Michael’s has for a long time been one of Sydney’s most underrated courses. Perhaps sharing a boundary with the world-famous New South Wales Golf Club hasn’t helped. Yet St Michael’s covers... Find out more

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The Coast Golf Club 84 km

The Coast certainly has the right address to be considered a golfing gem. Its closest neighbours on this stunning stretch of Sydney coastline are St Michael’s Golf Club to the south and, beyond that, the... Find out more

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The Lakes Golf Club 88 km

The Lakes is one of Sydney’s iconic golf courses, a regular venue for big championships – including the Australian Open – during its 82-year history. Yet since the late 1960s, when the course was... Find out more

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The Australian Golf Club 90 km

With a rich history dating back to the first days of organised golf in Australia, The Australian is the country’s oldest formal golf club. It was established in 1882 but didn’t find a permanent home at... Find out more

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Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club 93 km

As a globetrotting professional golfer of the 1970s and ’80s, Graham Marsh won more than 60 titles across five continents. The key to his success was his approach to the game. Every shot was thoughtfully... Find out more

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Concord Golf Club 93 km

From the very first days that golf was played in New South Wales, the name Concord has been part of the landscape. Established in 1899, golf began on the current site – on a layout designed by Dan Soutar, who... Find out more

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Royal Sydney Golf Club 96 km

It’s interesting to sift through the historical records of the Royal Sydney Golf Club; only then do you realise that no single course designer can lay claim to creating it. The course, a smooth seven-iron hit... Find out more

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Castle Hill Country Club 105 km

Back in 1821, Irishman George Acres received a land grant and is understood to have planted Australia’s first citrus trees. He planted them on the land where the fairways of Castle Hill Country Club now weave... Find out more

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55 on Collins

A casual cafe by day, 55 on Collins serves seriously good coffee, breakfast and lunch for all who crowd inside to munch and sip and admire the local artwork showcased throughout the premises. As daylight fades, the... Find out more

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Cargo’s Wharf Restaurant

Right on the water and housed in the Old Cargo Shed (c. 1868), Cargos is Kiama’s newest addition to waterfront dining. Local seafood appears throughout the menu, with crayfish the specialty, and pelicans and dolphins... Find out more

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Green Gourmet 91 km

These totally vegan restaurants have fascinating dishes including mock fish, made from taro, mushroom steaks and desserts such as green tea moon cake.... Find out more

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Billy Kwong 93 km

This up-market restaurant in Surry Hills claims to have been the first restaurant in New South Wales that chose to become carbon neutral. Owned and run by passionate advocate of sustainability and ethical eating Kylie... Find out more

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Five Islands Brewing Company 29 km

Started by local Illawarra rugby league legend Michael Bolt in 2001, the Five Islands Brewing Company has travelled a markedly different course to most other craft-beer enterprises. FIBC began life as a beachside bar and... Find out more

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St Peters Brewery 90 km

Matt Donelan is someone who marches to a different drum from most other craftbrewers. He doesn’t have a website or own a mobile phone and doesn’t believe in cardboard packaging. He matches his keg prices... Find out more

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Malt Shovel Brewery 92 km

US-born Dr Charles ‘Chuck’ Hahn has enjoyed two separate craft-beer careers over two decades, operating out of the same Camperdown brewery. In the late ’80s he opened it as the independent Hahn Brewery,... Find out more

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Paddy's Brewery 92 km

There may be more unlikely venues for a craft brewery but, offhand, I can’t think of one. The Markets Hotel is a 24-hour pub opposite Sydney’s Flemington fresh produce market, where you’re more likely... Find out more

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Tooheys Brewery 93 km

Tooheys remains the last of Sydney’s long-running mainstream breweries still currently operating. Founders James and John Toohey were cattle farmers before they entered the beer game, buying the Darling Brewery (it... Find out more

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Schwartz Brewery 94 km

Tucked away in the basement of the heritage-listed Macquarie Hotel in Surry Hills, this 8-hectolitre microbrewery is the hub of a burgeoning craft-beer empire run by owner Dr Jerry Schwartz. Apart from supplying the pub,... Find out more

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Redoak Brewery 94 km

Redoak burst onto the craft-beer scene by winning a swag of medals at the 2004 Australian International Beer Awards before they had sold even a single drop. And they have continued to collect an impressive array of... Find out more

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Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel 96 km

Sydney’s longest-running brew-pub is many things rolled into one fine watering hole – an institution for ale lovers, a tourist magnet and a haven for homesick Poms. The historic sandstone pub is as comfy as a... Find out more

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Killalea camping area 6 km

This is a well-equipped camping ground in prime position behind Mystics Beach. There are walking tracks, fishing spots and a golf course nearby; alternative accommodation is available in the form of a bunkhouse with 40... Find out more

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Carrington Falls camping area 18 km

This small camping area can get crowded in peak periods, so think twice if you’ve got a campervan or trailer. You’ll find it on Carrington Falls access road, off Jamberoo Mountain Rd, 8 km east of Robertson.... Find out more

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Corrimal Beach Tourist Park 32 km

Located on gorgeous Corrimal Beach, 5 km north of Wollongong, Corrimal Beach Tourist Park offers everything from tent sites through to standard, beachside and mountain view spa cabins. Facilities include laundry, camp... Find out more

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Bendeela camping area 34 km

In picturesque Kangaroo Valley, 20 km north of Nowra and 8 km west of Kangaroo Valley village, Bendeela is a hidden gem in a treasure chest of natural beauty. Camp in a secluded, shady grove next to the Kangaroo River,... Find out more

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Grassy Gully camping area (bush camping) 46 km

You can reach this campsite via Grassy Gully Rd, which turns off Burrier Rd. It’s basic bush-camping here – bring your own everything, including water and a portable toilet. There are no wood barbecues, so... Find out more

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Tallowa Dam camping area 50 km

You’re surrounded by beauty in this camping ground, which is swaddled by Morton National Park and tucked into Kangaroo Valley. The camping ground itself is a broad, spacious grassed area. To get here, take Tallowa... Find out more

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Danjera Dam camping area 51 km

The dam’s waters cover an old gold-rush town, Yalwal; today, visitors mine the area for waterborne activities such as kayaking, swimming, fishing (it’s stocked with rainbow trout and bass) and boating. The... Find out more

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Gambells Rest camping area 51 km

This is the only designated camping ground in the north of the park, and it’s a good springboard for half a dozen walking tracks. It’s less than 2 km south of Bundanoon via Gullies Rd. No fires are allowed,... Find out more

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Bristol Point camping area 53 km

Wizened banksia, towering gums and coastal scrub meet the tranquil beauty of Bristol Beach at this medium-sized campsite off Jervis Bay Rd east of Green Patch. All sites require a short walk from car to tent (up to 50... Find out more

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Green Patch camping area 53 km

This spacious but discrete beachside camping ground can be accessed off Jervis Bay Rd. There are walk-in and vehicle-based campsites, which are allocated depending on your group size and requirements. The easy Telegraph... Find out more

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Easts Beach Holiday Park 2 km

This is a fabulous, large and well laid out beachfront park with very good amenities and facilities, including TV cables to all ensuite sites. The East family is a prominent owner of several New South Wales caravan parks... Find out more

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Shellharbour Beachside Tourist Park 10 km

This caravan park is in a quiet location on the beachfront, adjoining the beachside baths. The shops, including some eateries, are just a short stroll away. While pets are allowed, only small dogs are permitted. This is... Find out more

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Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park 12 km

Swim at the beach or sit back, relax and watch TV at this large, fabulous beachside park. It has great facilities, including ensuite sites with full Austar TV hook-up. It also has excellent amenities and is in a... Find out more

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Windang Beach Tourist Park 15 km

This is a council-owned, popular beachside holiday park located on the south side of Wollongong, next to Lake Illawarra. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies at these times.... Find out more

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Shoalhaven Heads Tourist Park 23 km

Holiday Haven caravan parks are great establishments, owned and operated by the Shoalhaven Heads Council. This large, award-winning riverfront park has very good facilities. It is just a short walk through to the beach... Find out more

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Mountain View Caravan and Mobile Home Village 23 km

This is a large, quality park with great amenities and very good facilities, including tennis courts, minigolf course and a very popular 500-metre walking track with eight gym stations. Ask about the courtesy bus that... Find out more

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Crookhaven Heads Tourist Park 28 km

This is a large council holiday park located on the southern headland of the Crookhaven River, north of Culburra. It has ocean views, good facilities and is close to both deepwater and estuarine fishing spots. Bookings... Find out more

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Shoalhaven Caravan Village 31 km

This is a large, owner-operated riverfront park just 1 km east of Nowra and easily reached from the Princes Highway. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Corrimal Beach Tourist Park 32 km

A council-owned beachside park on the north side of Wollongong, this place has good amenities and is a popular holiday destination. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Bulli Beach Tourist Park 37 km

This popular, council-owned holiday park adjoins a patrolled beach with beach pools. In a quiet area, this place will appeal to families or those just spending a few peaceful days out of the holiday season.... Find out more

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Seashells Kiama

Ideal for families or groups of friends, Seashells Kiama is a chic and fully self-contained three-bedroom home with a fully equipped kitchen, large outdoor barbecue and entertaining area, rumpus room, internal laundry... Find out more

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Spring Creek Retreat

Set among the lush rolling hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Kiama, Spring Creek Retreat is surrounded by 8 hectares of rural landscape framed by 100-year-old dry stone walls. Guests are spoilt for choice, with two... Find out more

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Bellachara Boutique Hotel

Bellachara is brimming with chic elegance and style. Each guest room is decorated in a rich chocolate and cream colour scheme, with features such as double walk-in showers. There are four types of guest room available:... Find out more

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Bunjaree Cottages, Wentworth Falls 114 km

Great for families, Bunjaree Cottages have been designed to make a small environmental footprint, with full solar power and earth-brick insulation. One is built with recycled car tyres and mud, providing even better... Find out more

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Old Leura Dairy 117 km

This creative collection of six buildings, which can sleep up to 30 people in various combinations, has been renovated and fitted out with all manner of recycled bits and bobs. There are old oven doors, rusted corrugated... Find out more

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Jenolan Cabins 122 km

These basic but cosy self-contained cabins, 6 kilometres up the steep hill past Jenolan Caves, are earth-sheltered for climate control and have composting toilets and rainwater. There are great views over the mountains,... Find out more

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Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 123 km

One of the first working examples of large-scale sustainable tourism to exist in Australia, Jemby-Rinjah has advanced eco-accreditation, and one of the most extensive systems of composting toilets in the country. Ten... Find out more

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Kanimbla View, Blackheath 125 km

Solar-powered, the two- and three-bedroom cottages here are surprisingly large inside. They are partially constructed from recycled and salvaged timbers, have composting toilets and a great view of the Kanimbla Valley... Find out more

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Woolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 126 km

Eleven kilometres from Blackheath and surrounded by a glorious natural amphitheatre of towering sandstone walls, the Woolshed Cabins sit on 100 hectares of cleared farmland (a working cattle farm) in the Kanimbla Valley,... Find out more

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Wollemi Wilderness Retreat, Bilpin 133 km

These unusual self-contained cabins of various sizes feature passive solar design and are mainly constructed from recycled and salvaged materials. Although not high-class, they all have a spa and are in isolated bush... Find out more

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Australia Walkabout Park, Calga 142 km

You can camp out with the 180 species of wild animal in this 32-hectare feral-proofed wildlife park that has a solid history of conservation and caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. The overnight camping experience... Find out more

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Dargan Springs Mountain Lodge, Clarence 143 km

At the soft end of ecotourism, this pleasant lodge and wellness retreat has advanced eco-certification. It is surrounded by a mountain ash forest dotted with waratahs, the habitat of wombats and wallabies. With a maximum... Find out more

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Clonturkle Sanctuary 164 km

Join the experiment in sustainable living and tourism at Clonturkle Earth Hamlet and Forest Sanctuary. Located at Yetholme, there are four cabins set on 240 hectares of mostly eucalypt forest, with 15 kilometres of... Find out more

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Gordon VC Rest Area 54 km

21 km SW of Mittagong (R) or 64 km NE of Goulburn (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S34 32.086 E150 16.885  ... Find out more

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Bewang Park Area 55 km

38 km N of Ulladulla (L) or 30 km S of Nowra (R) Small area adjacent to the highway, opposite the roadhouse. GPS: S35 05.123 E150 31.993 ... Find out more

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Mackey VC Rest Area 56 km

28 km SW of Mittagong (L) or 57 km NE of Goulburn (R) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S34 34.763 E150 15.192  ... Find out more

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Kingsbury VC Rest Area 59 km

27 km SW of Mittagong (L) or 58 km NE of Goulburn (R) Large area just off the highway among some large pine trees. Good shade. GPS: S34 37.166 E150 12.832 ... Find out more

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Burrill Lake Park Area 88 km

South side of town Large town park in a pleasant lakeside setting just off the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S35 23.391 E150 26.652    ... Find out more

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Chowne VC Rest Area 89 km

17 km NE of Goulburn (L) eastbound only Large area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 44.621 E149 53.244  ... Find out more

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Derrick VC Rest Area 94 km

73 km SW of Mittagong (L) westbound only Large area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S34 44.149 E149 49.805 ... Find out more

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French VC Rest Area 112 km

9 km W of Goulburn (R) or 78 km E of Yass (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 47.207 E149 38.416... Find out more

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Hawkesbury River Rest Area 130 km

49 km N of Sydney (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway on the banks of the river. GPS: S33 32.029 E151 11.845... Find out more

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Waldrons Swamp Rest Area 149 km

8 km N of Moruya (R) or 20 km S of Batemans Bay (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S35 51.906 E150 07.158  ... Find out more

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