Best Places to Stay on the South Coast NSW: Hotels, Motels & Unique Stays
If you're looking for the best places to stay on the South Coast NSW, good news, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice!
The classic beach motel has had something of a glow-up in recent years, with old-school roadside stays transformed into design-led boutique hotels, while the region's best accommodation includes luxury vineyard villas, glamping tents hidden in the bush, adults-only retreats and spectacular farm stays for families overlooking the ocean.
On our list you’ll find some household names such as Bannisters by the Sea in Mollymook and Paperbark Camp in Jervis Bay, as well as some exciting new kids on the block like The Whale in Narooma, which reopened in 2026 following a major transformation, and Dolphins Motel in Mollymook.
Whether you're planning a romantic weekend away from Sydney, a summer beach holiday or a food-and-wine road trip, these are some of the best hotels, motels and unique stays on the NSW South Coast right now.
Jump straight to: Berry, Gerringong & Kiama I Kangaroo Valley I Jervis Bay & Huskisson I Mollymook, Milton & Ulladulla I Batemans Bay, Broulee & Moruya I Narooma
Which Part of the South Coast Should You Stay In?
If you're deciding where to base yourself, we'd narrow it down like this:
Berry, Kangaroo Valley, Gerringong & Kiama – best for a quick weekend away from Sydney, an abundance of restaurants, countryside and romantic stays.
Jervis Bay & Huskisson – best for beaches, nature, families and unique bush accommodation.
Mollymook, Milton & Ulladulla – best for boutique hotels, stylish motels, restaurants and food-focused weekends by the ocean.
Batemans Bay & Broulee – best for quieter beach trips, retro motel stays and getting away from the busiest South Coast towns.
Narooma – best for those willing to travel, dramatic coastline, food, outdoor adventures and one of the South Coast's most exciting new boutique hotels.
The Local Compass Top Picks
If we wanted something new: The Whale, Narooma
If we wanted a cool motel: Motel Molly, Mollymook
If we wanted luxury: Bannisters by the Sea, Mollymook
If we wanted romance: Bangalay Luxury Villas, Shoalhaven Heads
If we wanted something unique: Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay
If we wanted design-first: The Isla, Batemans Bay
If we were going with friends: Dovecote, Gerringong
If we wanted glamping: Cicada Luxury Camping, Jerrara
If we wanted a vineyard stay: Cupitt's Estate, Ulladulla
Best Places to Stay in Berry, Gerringong & Kiama
Rolling green countryside to your left and the ocean to your right make the northern South Coast a dream weekend escape from Sydney. You'll find some of the best luxury accommodation near Berry and Kiama hidden in the surrounding hills overlooking a picture-perfect landscape.
1. Mt Hay Retreat, Berry
Best for: Romantic weekends Price: $$$$
Perched high above the countryside just outside Berry, Mt Hay Retreat is an adults-only escape designed for doing very little. Private suites have expansive decks and outdoor baths, while the indoor pool and spa look across the surrounding farmland.
The Local Compass pick: Come here when the accommodation itself is the weekend, rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
2. The Berry View, Berry
Best for: Retro motel lovers Price: $$
A former 1950s roadside motel given a colourful contemporary makeover, The Berry View brings a little Palm Springs energy to the South Coast. It's an easy option if you want a fun, design-conscious stay without disappearing into an isolated retreat.
The Local Compass pick: Girls' weekends and easy Berry escapes.
Linnaeus Collection, Berry
Best for: Groups, special occasions and luxury weekends Price: $$$$
For a luxe group escape in Berry, the Linnaeus Collection offers seven beautifully designed private farms, residences and suites. It's a great pick for families or groups of friends looking for luxury accommodation in Berry NSW. If you want to really spoil yourself, we can’t think of a better way to do it.
The Local Compass pick: One for milestone birthdays, girls' weekends or a special group getaway when you'd rather share a beautiful house than book separate hotel rooms.
3. Bangalay Luxury Villas, Shoalhaven Heads
Best for: Luxury without the fuss Price: $$$$
Just minutes from Seven Mile Beach, Bangalay's contemporary villas come with kitchens, fireplaces and private decks, while the property also has a pool and acclaimed Bangalay Dining on site.
It's particularly good when you want the privacy of a holiday rental with the restaurant and facilities of a boutique hotel.
4. Dovecote, Gerringong
Best for: Architectural wow factor Price: $$$$
Set across a sprawling coastal farm outside Gerringong, Dovecote consists of two dramatic architect-designed homes overlooking rolling paddocks towards the ocean. Fireplaces, outdoor entertaining spaces and enormous windows make this the sort of place you book for a special-occasion escape.
The Local Compass pick: Milestone birthdays, family trips and group weekends when you want to splurge.
5. Crooked River Estate, Gerringong
Best for: Wine weekends Price: $$$
Why drive home from the cellar door when you can stay at the vineyard? Crooked River Estate's villas cater for bigger groups and families, with the estate's winery and restaurant just moments away.
It's an excellent choice for a South Coast weekend with the family built around food, wine and doing as little driving as possible.
6. Cicada Luxury Camping, Jerrara
Best for: Romantic glamping Price: $$$
Hidden in the hills behind Kiama, Cicada turns camping into something altogether more romantic and luxurious. Think safari-style tents, private fire pits, outdoor baths and sweeping valley views – all within easy reach of the coast and a 90-minute drive from Sydney.
The Local Compass pick: One of the most memorable couples' stays around Kiama.
Read more: The Ultimate Foodie Trail in Kiama: Where to Eat From Breakfast to Dinner
Best Places to Stay in Kangaroo Valley
For a South Coast escape that swaps beaches for farmland and ocean for mountain views, Kangaroo Valley has some of the most unique accommodation in NSW. From secluded A-frame cabins and converted farm buildings to romantic luxury retreats, the best places to stay in Kangaroo Valley are made for slow weekends, winter getaways and switching off completely.
7. Aframe Kangaroo Valley
Best for: Design lovers, couples and winter weekends Price: $$$
Hidden among the bushland of Kangaroo Valley, Aframe Kangaroo Valley is a secluded cabin made for couples wanting a cosy weekend surrounded by nature. It's one of the coolest unique stays in Kangaroo Valley, with easy access to Morton National Park.
8. Broger's End Kangaroo Valley
Best for: Rustic luxury, slow weekends and groups Price: $$$
Set across a sprawling eco-retreat, Broger's End Kangaroo Valley transforms former farm buildings into character-filled accommodation with amenities such as an outdoor garden bath and wood-fired pizza oven, making this one of our favourite Kangaroo Valley farm stays for a relaxed weekend away.
9. Lyra, Kangaroo Valley
Best for: Seclusion, architecture and winter escapes Price: $$$
Surrounded by rainforest on seven private acres, Lyra Kangaroo Valley overlooks the Barrengarry mountain range. Come for the architecture and stay for the serenity, this retreat will have you feeling like you've completely disappeared into the valley.
10. Amaroo Valley Springs
Best for: Couples, anniversaries and romantic escapes Price: $$$$
Set across 160 acres of countryside, Amaroo Valley Springs is a five-star, adults-only luxury accomodation designed for a quiet escape in Kangaroo Valley. It's an excellent choice if you're searching for romantic accommodation in Kangaroo Valley, with privacy, sweeping rural views and plenty of space to do very little.
Read more: 20 Best Restaurants on the NSW South Coast: Where to Eat From Kiama to Narooma
Best Places to Stay in Jervis Bay & Huskisson
The best accommodation in Jervis Bay isn't limited to just beach houses, in fact, some of the South Coast's most unusual stays are hidden in the bush around Huskisson and Woollamia and give you easy access to Jervis Bay's famous beaches without staying in the middle of the holiday crowds.
11. Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay
Best for: A bucket-list stay Price: $$$$
One of the original luxury glamping experiences in Australia, Paperbark Camp hides safari-style tents among native bushland near Currambene Creek. Elevated tents, verandahs and beautiful interiors make it feel adventurous without sacrificing comfort, while The Gunyah restaurant means dinner is taken care of.
The Local Compass pick: If you want one genuinely memorable place to stay in Jervis Bay, start here.
12. Worrowing Jervis Bay
Best for: Switching off Price: $$$
Set across a large private property near Jervis Bay, Worrowing offers a collection of cottages, cabins and wilderness stays surrounded by bushland and wildlife. It's particularly good if you want access to Huskisson and the beaches during the day, then somewhere peaceful to retreat to at night.
13. Bay and Bush Jervis Bay
Best for: Bush-meets-beach escapes Price: $$$
Set across 27 acres of bushland near Huskisson, Bay and Bush combines self-contained cottages and glamping with wellness experiences and plenty of space to slow down.
14. The Cove Jervis Bay
Best for: Groups and families Price: $$$
Hidden beside a private beach and surrounded by Booderee National Park, The Cove offers houses, cabins and glamping accommodation for everything from couples to large groups. With kayaks, paddleboards and the beach right there, it's a great option for families.
15. Sirena del Sol, Hyams Beach
Best for: Design lovers, romantic weekends and couples Price: $$$$
One of the newest places to stay in Jervis Bay, Sirena del Sol is an adults-only couples retreat just 100 metres from the white sands of Hyams Beach. Bold retro-meets-Mediterranean interiors, a private garden, outdoor hot tub and firepit make this one of the coolest luxury stays in Jervis Bay for a romantic South Coast weekend.
The Local Compass pick: Come for the incredible interiors, stay for post-beach dips in the hot tub – this is one of our favourite new South Coast stays for 2026.
Best Places to Stay in Mollymook, Milton & Ulladulla
If stylish accommodation is a priority, Mollymook has one of the strongest collections of boutique hotels and motels on the South Coast. You'll find everything from a Rick Stein restaurant in-house and oceanfront luxury to retro motel revivals and vineyard villas within the one area.
16. Motel Molly, Mollymook
Best for: Boutique motel style Price: $$
Motel Molly helped prove just how glamorous an old South Coast surf motel could become. Mediterranean-inspired interiors, curved forms, warm natural textures have transformed the property into one of Mollymook's most recognisable boutique stays.
The Local Compass pick: One of our favourites for a stylish girls' weekend or couples' escape.
17. Dolphins Motel, Mollymook
Best for: Budget without feeling like it Price: $$
A classic Mollymook motel has been given a fresh lease on life, combining retro coastal nostalgia with a playful contemporary feel. With just a small collection of rooms, a pool and extras designed for days spent by the water, Dolphins is one of the newer South Coast stays worth having on your radar.
The Local Compass pick: This is the perfect place to stay with a girlfriend.
18. Bannisters by the Sea, Mollymook
Best for: Luxury coastal weekends Price: $$$$
An established South Coast favourite for good reason, Bannisters by the Sea is practically synonymous with Mollymook. There's a pool, spa and Rick Stein restaurant on site, making this the perfect place for a romantic weekend where excellent seafood and a sea view are non-negotiable.
19. Cupitt's Estate, Ulladulla
Best for: Wine and food lovers Price: $$$$
If your perfect South Coast weekend revolves around eating and drinking, staying at Cupitt's makes a lot of sense. The estate's villas overlook the surrounding vineyard and countryside, with the winery, brewery and restaurant all within walking distance, or if you’re a big group you can stay at The Farmhouse.
The Local Compass pick: One of the best foodie stays on the South Coast.
20. Su-Jo, Ulladulla
Best for: Families, groups and stylish coastal weekends Price: $$$
Just minutes from Mollymook, Su-Jo is a collection of spacious three-bedroom villas combining coastal interiors with all the practicalities of a holiday home. With large entertainer's kitchens, luxe bathrooms and plenty of room for families and groups to spread out, it's one of the best places to stay in Ulladulla if you want something stylish without squeezing everyone into hotel rooms.
The Local Compass pick: A particularly good find for families or a group of friends wanting to stay close to both Ulladulla and Mollymook.
21. Mavie, Milton
Best for: Girls' weekends, couples, foodies and staying in town Price: $$$
Just steps from the cafés, restaurants and boutiques of Milton, Mavie is three-different yet all character-filled cottages blending vintage charm with playful contemporary interiors. It's one of the coolest places to stay in Milton NSW for a foodie weekend where you can leave the car behind and explore town on foot.
Read more: How to Spend a Perfect Day in Mollymook
Best Places to Stay in Batemans Bay, Broulee & Moruya
Keep driving south and the accommodation becomes a little more under-the-radar, but no-less a vibe. Around Batemans Bay and Broulee, you'll find some of the South Coast's coolest motel makeovers alongside private bush retreats close to beautiful beaches.
22. The Isla, Batemans Bay
Best for: Motel prices for hotel vibes I Price: $$
The Isla takes the nostalgic Australian roadside motel and turns it into a chic boutique nook. The revamped property combines crisp contemporary interiors with subtle retro touches, a pool and communal spaces designed for lingering.
The Local Compass pick: Our choice around Batemans Bay if aesthetics matter.
23. Casita, Batemans Bay
Best for: Families and groups I Price: $$$
A moodier sibling to The Isla, Casita swaps bright coastal motel styling for warmer Spanish-inspired interiors and spaces that work particularly well for families or groups travelling together.
24. The Bower at Broulee
Best for: A secluded couples' escape I Price: $$$$
Hidden among bushland near Broulee, The Bower is designed around privacy. Self-contained accommodation and a peaceful forest setting make it ideal for couples who want to disappear for a weekend while still being close enough to reach the coast.
The Local Compass pick: One for winter weekends, outdoor baths and switching your phone off.
25. The Seabird, Moruya
Best for: Something under the radar I Price: $$
Moruya doesn't always get the attention of its better-known coastal neighbours, which is part of the appeal. The Seabird offers a smaller-scale place to base yourself while exploring the beaches, food and villages around the Eurobodalla region.
Best Places to Stay in Narooma & Surrounds
Narooma is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting places to stay on the South Coast NSW, helped enormously by one of the region's biggest hotel openings in years by a little known group called Merivale.
That is how you know Narooma is the place to be.
26. The Whale, Narooma
Best for: The new hotel everyone will be talking about I Price: $$$$
A classic 1970s Narooma motel has been completely reimagined by Merivale as The Whale, an 18-room boutique hotel overlooking Wagonga Inlet.
Reopened in June 2026 following a multi-year renovation, the hotel nods to its retro coastal past while adding a magnesium pool, sauna, ice bath, landscaped gardens, firepit and pickleball court. Dan Hong's Queen Chow is next door, making this as much a food weekend as a hotel stay.
The Local Compass pick: If you're looking for the newest cool hotel on the South Coast, this is it.
27. The Harrington, Narooma
Best for: An affordable Narooma weekend I Price: $$
For something more approachable than Narooma's new luxury arrival, The Harrington offers a straightforward base for exploring town, nearby beaches and the coastline.
Read more: The Best Cafes in Narooma for Coffee, Brunch & Ocean Views
Make a Weekend of It
Once you've chosen where to stay, build the rest of your South Coast weekend around the area with the help of our guides.
Where to eat?
20 Best Restaurants on the NSW South Coast: Where to Eat From Kiama to Narooma
The Ultimate Foodie Trail in Kiama: Where to Eat From Breakfast to Dinner
What to do?
Frequently Asked Questions South Coast NSW Accommodation
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Some of the most popular bases include Berry, Kiama, Gerringong, Jervis Bay, Huskisson, Mollymook, Milton, Batemans Bay, Broulee and Narooma. The best area depends on whether you're looking for beaches, food and wine, family-friendly accommodation or a romantic weekend away.
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For boutique and luxury hotels, look at The Whale in Narooma, Bannisters by the Sea and Bannisters Pavilion in Mollymook, while properties such as Motel Molly and The Isla offer a contemporary take on the classic South Coast motel.
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The Whale, Motel Molly, The Isla and Dolphins Motel are good places to start if you're looking for stylish boutique accommodation. The South Coast has become particularly good at transforming classic motels into design-led stays.
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For something different, try Paperbark Camp in Jervis Bay, Cicada Luxury Camping near Kiama, Dovecote near Gerringong, The Bower at Broulee or Greyleigh near Kiama.
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For a romantic South Coast getaway, we'd look at Mt Hay Retreat, Paperbark Camp, Bannisters by the Sea, The Bower at Broulee, Motel Molly or The Whale.
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Jervis Bay and Mollymook are particularly easy choices for families thanks to their beaches and range of accommodation. Worrowing and The Cove Jervis Bay work well for families wanting more space, while Casita in Batemans Bay is another option for groups.
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Mollymook, Milton and Ulladulla make an excellent base for a food-focused trip, with Cupitt's Estate and Bannisters among the area's destination stays. Berry, Gerringong and Shoalhaven Heads are another strong option, particularly if you want to combine restaurants, wineries and countryside.
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One of the biggest new South Coast hotel openings of 2026 is The Whale in Narooma, an 18-room boutique hotel reimagined by Merivale following a multi-year renovation. Dolphins Motel in Mollymook has also recently undergone a significant revival, adding another design-conscious option to the town's accommodation scene.
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Choose Jervis Bay if beaches, national parks and outdoor activities are the priority. Choose Mollymook if you're more interested in boutique accommodation, restaurants and combining beach time with a food-focused weekend.
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For a shorter weekend, Berry, Gerringong and Kiama are among the easiest options because they're at the northern end of the South Coast. If you're happy to spend longer in the car, Jervis Bay and Mollymook offer an even stronger combination of beaches, food and accommodation.
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Yes. The South Coast has everything from traditional luxury hotels and resorts to private retreats and high-end villas. Bannisters by the Sea, Mt Hay Retreat, Bangalay Luxury Villas, Dovecote and The Whale are among the options to consider for a more luxurious trip.
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For design-led accommodation, we'd look at The Whale in Narooma, Motel Molly in Mollymook, The Isla in Batemans Bay and The Berry View in Berry. If you prefer unusual accommodation over boutique hotels, Paperbark Camp and Cicada Luxury Camping offer a completely different experience.
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