The Best Day Trips on the South Coast

The South Coast
Written By Milly Haddrick

Looking for the perfect day trip? Then head down to the South Coast in New South Wales where charming coastal towns and secluded beaches with crystal blue water meet incredible food and a coffee scene to rival the very best in the city. Slow, scenic and unforgettable, if you have a spare day and are looking for something unique to fill it, a South Coast road trip should definitely be top of your list.

Best South Coast day trips at a glance:
Mollymook & Milton (3 hour drive from Sydney) → best for a lazy beach day with a touch of luxury
Jervis Bay & Huskisson (2.5 hour drive from Sydney) → for those chasing pristine turquoise water and marine life adventures
Berry (2 hour drive from Sydney) → ideal for boutique shopping and cafe crawling
Kiama (1.5 hour drive from Sydney) → beautiful beaches without the crowds and waterfront dining at all hours

Don’t have time to dawdle? Skip straight to your preferred location!

Mollymook & Milton

Why go

Mollymook and its neighbouring town Milton, are the epitome of ‘laidback luxury’ and is a place where salty swims, bare feet and sandy hair meets fine dining. This is the furthest destination along the South Coast from Sydney that could qualify as a good day trip location, but if you’re up for the adventure it is absolutely worth the trip. If you’re after coastal walks, long lunches and fine dining in abundance, then Mollymook or Milton are your perfect destinations.

What to do

Where to eat

Local tips

  • Want a beach that’s less crowded? Try Narrawallee Beach

  • Plan around market days as you are sure to find true treasures!

  • The better places to eat tend to book out fast, so if you know you’re heading down see if you can secure yourself a table somewhere amazing to eat before you get there

Perfect for

  • Couples

  • Group of friends

  • Food lovers

Read more: Best cafés in Mollymook

Instagram: @bannistershotels

Jervis Bay & Huskisson

Why go

Known as the home of some of best beaches in the world (no, truly) a day trip to Jervis Bay or Huskisson is for the beach and nature lover who’s looking for a marine life activity outside of Sydney, this is the spot for you.

What to do

  • Swim at the famous Hyams Beach or the lesser known Greenfield beach

  • Spend the afternoon chilling at Jervis Bay brewing

  • Hire a kayak or stand up paddle board for a few hours

  • Charter a boat for the day or weekend swim snorkel or lie in the sun

  • Swim the crystal blue waters of Callala Bay

  • Dolphin watch in Huskisson

  • Shop at Few and Far, a simply stunning homewares shop

  • Visit Booderee National Park if you want a different sort of hike than the usual around Sydney

3. Where to eat

4. Local tips

  • If you plan on visiting Booderee National Park (and we recommend you do) you will need to buy a pass from their website

  • Whale watching season in Jervis Bay runs from mid-May to mid-November and dolphin watching is year-round

  • Bioluminescence: If you visit during the warmer months, look for bioluminescent plankton glowing bright blue along the shoreline at night

5. Perfect for

  • Couples

  • Adventure lovers

Read more: Best pubs along The South Coast

Instagram: @huskissonhotel

Berry

Why go

As far as best towns South Coast NSW, Berry is well and truly up there. The picture perfect small country town, this has yet to grow like it’s neighbour Bowral, still holding a lot of it’s truly small, charming quality - yet boy does it deliver. As far road trips go, this would be one of the easiest for a Sydneysider to hop in a car for the weekend (as well as Kiama, right next door!) and spend the day boutique shopping, drinking tea, and eating some Instagram famous doughnuts.

What to do

Where to eat

Local tip

  • Berry Showground (Alexandra St) offers the most abundant, untimed free parking however is especially busy on market days

  • North Street Car Park is tucked slightly off the main strip, it is a short 3-minute walk to the center and rarely fills up early.

  • If you’re after a drop of wine, Two Figs Winery is a little known spot but is always a fun activity! Make a reservation ahead of time if you can, it’s $15 per person of groups up to six

Perfect for

  • Couples

  • Groups of friends

  • Slow travel

  • Shopping addicts

Read more: Is this the coolest motel makeover in Berry?

Instagram: @thegardenberry

Kiama

Why go

Kiama tops our list for the perfect day trip along the South Coast from Sydney. In well under two hours you can visit some of the most beautiful yet less crowded beaches, stroll the lazy trails while taking in the sights and eat some unreal food. Wanting to just get out and do something both different yet relaxing? Then Kiama is the place to go!

What to do

  • Visit the Kiama blow hole

  • Try surfing hotspot Cathedral Rocks (for experienced surfers only!)

  • Swim at the famous Seven Mile Beach

  • Between the months of May and November, the waters surrounding Kiama are filled with marine life such as pods of dolphins and whales. Boat tours are available, or you can watch from one of the vantage points around town

Where to eat

Local tip

  • Streets like Collins Street, Manning Street, and those surrounding the George Weightman area offer ample no-meter parking spaces within walking distance of major attractions like the Kiama Blowhole and Kiama Cove Motel. Get there before the rush

  • Most places are very dog friendly!

Perfect for

  • Couples

  • Families

  • Slow travel

Instagram: @diggieskiama

The South Coast NSW is best explored slowly — one town, one café and one beach at a time.

  • If you’re travelling from Sydney, you will get the most out of your day at either Berry or Kiama because they are the closest. They are also neighbouring towns! We recommend Berry in winter and Kiama in the summer.

    If you love nature and beaches then Jervis Bay or Huskisson are great day trips, however a little further in the car. Hyams Beach is known as one of the best beaches in the world, and absolutely worth a visit.

    Mollymook and Milton are about as far as you could go for a day trip but are nonetheless stunning.

  • The South Coast is a large area, and many towns fall within it. As for what is mentioned here:

    Kiama: 1 hour and 45 min drive

    Berry: 2 hour drive

    Jervis Bay and Husskison: 2 hour and 30 min drive

    Mollymook and Milton: 3 hour drive

  • It absolutely is! Especially if you love the water and marine life. In the summer we can’t think of a better way to spend a day then hopping in the car first thing in the morning and driving down to Hyams Beach. There are plenty of places to eat as well!

  • SO MANY.

    If you’re in the Berry and Kiama area, we recommend checking out Gerroa and Gerringong as well. Or if you’re coming from more in land, then stop in at Kangaroo Valley.

    Closer to Mollymook and Milton we recommend (nay, insist) on checking out Ulladulla and Lake Conjola.

    A little further along the South Coast you will find Batemans Bay, Bawley Point, Tathra and Narooma - however all these are a little too far for day trips!

  • If you’re planning to head as far as Jervis Bay, then may we throw Currarong’s hat in the ring? Currarong is the northern tip of Beecroft Peninsula on the NSW South Coast and adjacent to Jervis Bay. Explore Abrahams Bosom Beach, walk through he Abrahams Bosom Reserve on either the one-hour Wreck Walk which takes you past the remains of SS Merimbula, or the three-hour Coomies Walk around the headland. The sheltered coves are also great for snorkelling!

    Another hidden gem is Bombo Quarry in Kiama. Not as popular as the Blow Hole but just as photo-worthy!

    And finally Bendalong Point where you can swim with stingrays.

  • Very close! In fact, the drive is around 20 minutes between towns.

    The same goes for Jervis Bay and Huskisson which are literally only 5 minutes apart (crazy) and Milton and Mollymook which is a 10 minute drive.

Hey you! Don’t forget to finish your planning…

Review our top things to do, best places to eat or keep researching your perfect place to stay below.


Eat & Drink Things To Do Where to Stay

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Milly Haddrick
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