The Birdhouse - Local Guidebook
Sightseeing
Nellie's Glen has free parking near a flat open stretch of shallow water, great for kids to paddle in (with strict oversight as it is not far from a waterfall). A short way down a bush track is a pool for swimming in, fed by a small waterfall - very refreshing in summer. 50m down the track in the other direction is the viewing platform for the famous Carrington Falls.
7 locals recommend
Nellies Glen picnic area
Cloonty RoadNellie's Glen has free parking near a flat open stretch of shallow water, great for kids to paddle in (with strict oversight as it is not far from a waterfall). A short way down a bush track is a pool for swimming in, fed by a small waterfall - very refreshing in summer. 50m down the track in the other direction is the viewing platform for the famous Carrington Falls.
Beautiful at Tulip Time, but great for cafes, and browsing the shops at anytime.
75 locals recommend
Bowral
Beautiful at Tulip Time, but great for cafes, and browsing the shops at anytime.
This pub has become very popular for weekend lunches, so get there early. The beer garden has a wonderful view of the valley where the movie "Babe" was filmed
60 locals recommend
Burrawang Village Hotel
14 Hoddle StThis pub has become very popular for weekend lunches, so get there early. The beer garden has a wonderful view of the valley where the movie "Babe" was filmed
Only 25mins drive up the road (past the 'famous' Pie Shop), Robertson has all the usual small town amenities- chemist, doctor, small supermarket etc, a decent pub and a few cafes, but also has an interest in organic food, with home grown food swaps, markets etc. Robertson is also becoming increasingly arty, and SHAC (the Southern Highlands Artists Collective) provides a space to meet artists and participate in creative workshops.
36 locals recommend
Robertson
Only 25mins drive up the road (past the 'famous' Pie Shop), Robertson has all the usual small town amenities- chemist, doctor, small supermarket etc, a decent pub and a few cafes, but also has an interest in organic food, with home grown food swaps, markets etc. Robertson is also becoming increasingly arty, and SHAC (the Southern Highlands Artists Collective) provides a space to meet artists and participate in creative workshops.
A beautiful waterfall, with short bushwalk tracks well maintained by NPWS. Visitor centre with snacks.
34 locals recommend
Fitzroy Falls Lookout
Nowra RoadA beautiful waterfall, with short bushwalk tracks well maintained by NPWS. Visitor centre with snacks.
A beautiful waterfall, 13 min drive from Robertson, with a short walk from the carpark to see the falls
30 locals recommend
Belmore Falls
Belmore Falls RoadA beautiful waterfall, 13 min drive from Robertson, with a short walk from the carpark to see the falls
The Abbey Bookshop sells candles and cards, and is on the hairpin corner just down Jamberoo Mountain Rd from the property.
Jamberoo Abbey Shop
695 Jamberoo Mountain RdThe Abbey Bookshop sells candles and cards, and is on the hairpin corner just down Jamberoo Mountain Rd from the property.
Jamberoo Theme Park - where YOU control the action! Lots of water slides etc. The kids will love it but get there early as it gets very busy.
228 locals recommend
Jamberoo Action Park
1215 Jamberoo RdJamberoo Theme Park - where YOU control the action! Lots of water slides etc. The kids will love it but get there early as it gets very busy.
Just a few minutes drive north of Kiama, Bombo beach feels as though it is miles from anywhere. 2/3 of it is a dog off-leash area, so it may not suit everyone, but it is a beautiful fairly long beach so great for a walk.
21 locals recommend
Bombo Beach
Just a few minutes drive north of Kiama, Bombo beach feels as though it is miles from anywhere. 2/3 of it is a dog off-leash area, so it may not suit everyone, but it is a beautiful fairly long beach so great for a walk.
Neighbourhoods
Seaside town with hipster cafes, and little shops selling clothing, homewares etc. Some of the beaches have surf patrols.
90 locals recommend
Kiama
Seaside town with hipster cafes, and little shops selling clothing, homewares etc. Some of the beaches have surf patrols.
The closest big shopping centre - in case you feel the need. All the usual shops
11 locals recommend
Shellharbour City Centre
The closest big shopping centre - in case you feel the need. All the usual shops
Jamberoo village is nestled into green paddocks dotted with cows. The village is small but includes a popular pub, a well stocked IGA, a good country style butcher (with excellent fresh sausages) and a country style cafe
24 locals recommend
Jamberoo
Jamberoo village is nestled into green paddocks dotted with cows. The village is small but includes a popular pub, a well stocked IGA, a good country style butcher (with excellent fresh sausages) and a country style cafe
Food scene
'Farm to plate' cafe in Robertson with fabulous organic food from a local farm. They also sell great bread.
28 locals recommend
Moonacres Kitchen
81 Illawarra Hwy'Farm to plate' cafe in Robertson with fabulous organic food from a local farm. They also sell great bread.
Small restaurant in green surrounds in Moss Vale, with good food and an open fire. Cellar door and antiques to browse
32 locals recommend
Mount Ashby Estate
128 Nowra RdSmall restaurant in green surrounds in Moss Vale, with good food and an open fire. Cellar door and antiques to browse
Lovely food, Berkelow bookshop attached, cellar door, eat inside or out. It is a 50min drive from here, so best visited when going that way for another reason as well.
79 locals recommend
Bendooley Estate Book Barn
3020 Old Hume HwyLovely food, Berkelow bookshop attached, cellar door, eat inside or out. It is a 50min drive from here, so best visited when going that way for another reason as well.
Centennial Vineyards
252 Centennial RdA grand space near Bowral, for a special occasion
A smaller restaurant overlooking a valley full of vines, and with a view to the ocean at Gerringong, 30 mins drive to the south
137 locals recommend
Crooked River Wines - Winery - Cellar Door - Restaurant - Wedding Venue
11 Willowvale RdA smaller restaurant overlooking a valley full of vines, and with a view to the ocean at Gerringong, 30 mins drive to the south
A very popular casual place to eat outdoors (booking required). Overlooks the fields where 'Babe" was filmed
60 locals recommend
Burrawang Village Hotel
14 Hoddle StA very popular casual place to eat outdoors (booking required). Overlooks the fields where 'Babe" was filmed
At Kiama. If you like hipster cafes, this is a good place to people watch, and the food is good
62 locals recommend
The Hungry Monkey
32 Prince Alfred StAt Kiama. If you like hipster cafes, this is a good place to people watch, and the food is good
At Kiama. The food and coffee is very good here, but the view over the park and the beach is sensational. Also, the front wall opens right up so the cafe is full of fresh sea air.
44 locals recommend
Penny Whistlers
31 Shoalhaven StAt Kiama. The food and coffee is very good here, but the view over the park and the beach is sensational. Also, the front wall opens right up so the cafe is full of fresh sea air.
The outdoor seats at Diggies have a great view over Kiama beach and friendly service. Make sure you book if you want a table on a weekend - it gets very busy
14 locals recommend
Diggies Kiama
1 Blowhole Point RdThe outdoor seats at Diggies have a great view over Kiama beach and friendly service. Make sure you book if you want a table on a weekend - it gets very busy
Walking
A lovely headland walk that can be done in stages - either out and back, or from point to point with the help of 2 cars. Do as much or as little as you want. Take an hat and water - it is right on the coast so no tree cover, and no water on the way. see https://kiama.com.au/experience/nature-walks-wildlife/kiama-coast-walk
57 locals recommend
Gerringong to Kiama Coastal Walk
69 Werri StA lovely headland walk that can be done in stages - either out and back, or from point to point with the help of 2 cars. Do as much or as little as you want. Take an hat and water - it is right on the coast so no tree cover, and no water on the way. see https://kiama.com.au/experience/nature-walks-wildlife/kiama-coast-walk
A huge nature reserve only 5 minutes drive from the property. About 1km in from the entrance there is a parking area with a map showing several walks. Our favourites are the Griffiths loop and the walk to Cooks Nose. Both offer a mix of heath and eucalypt forest, with big views. Cooks Nose ends at a spectacular lookout over Kangaroo Valley. See https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/barren-grounds-nature-reserve
7 locals recommend
Barren Grounds Nature Reserve
A huge nature reserve only 5 minutes drive from the property. About 1km in from the entrance there is a parking area with a map showing several walks. Our favourites are the Griffiths loop and the walk to Cooks Nose. Both offer a mix of heath and eucalypt forest, with big views. Cooks Nose ends at a spectacular lookout over Kangaroo Valley. See https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/barren-grounds-nature-reserve
Easy walking on a boardwalk through beautiful rainforest, with an optional steeper section.
177 locals recommend
Minnamurra Rainforest Centre
345 Minnamurra Falls RdEasy walking on a boardwalk through beautiful rainforest, with an optional steeper section.
A selection of forested walks. See https://www.alltrails.com/parks/australia/new-south-wales/macquarie-pass-national-park
28 locals recommend
Macquarie Pass National Park
Illawarra HighwayA selection of forested walks. See https://www.alltrails.com/parks/australia/new-south-wales/macquarie-pass-national-park
For a constitutional, you can stroll along the access road to the property. It is 1.6km in each direction of quiet fairly flat bush lane. Excellent views of the escarpment and almost always kangaroos and lyrebirds. Wombats in the late afternoon and early evening. Sometimes you will also see swamp wallabies, or an echidna.
There is also a walk called "New loop". Volunteers from the Ben Ricketts Cabins established this walk on the eastern side of Misty Lane. The start is marked with a metal star picket with two yellow circles of tape, located a few hundred meters past the cattle grid when heading away from the sealed road. It goes into rainforest under the lilli pilli. The loop returns you to the small paddock near the beginning of the lane.
Misty Lane
Misty LaneFor a constitutional, you can stroll along the access road to the property. It is 1.6km in each direction of quiet fairly flat bush lane. Excellent views of the escarpment and almost always kangaroos and lyrebirds. Wombats in the late afternoon and early evening. Sometimes you will also see swamp wallabies, or an echidna.
There is also a walk called "New loop". Volunteers from the Ben Ricketts Cabins established this walk on the eastern side of Misty Lane. The start is marked with a metal star picket with two yellow circles of tape, located a few hundred meters past the cattle grid when heading away from the sealed road. It goes into rainforest under the lilli pilli. The loop returns you to the small paddock near the beginning of the lane.
Cycling
Great for cyclists in training for European mountains, this steep mountain road is right at our doorstep (no car trip required).
Jamberoo Mountain Road
Jamberoo Mountain RoadGreat for cyclists in training for European mountains, this steep mountain road is right at our doorstep (no car trip required).
I am not a mountain biker so have not been to the park myself, but have driven past, and it looks like a lot of fun. Worth checking out their website if you like mountain biking (and note that you have to book in advance)
GreenValleys Mountain Bike Park
Illawarra HighwayI am not a mountain biker so have not been to the park myself, but have driven past, and it looks like a lot of fun. Worth checking out their website if you like mountain biking (and note that you have to book in advance)
Another big local mountain, this can be added in to a loop for serious cyclists. Up Jamberoo mountain Road, down Maquarie Pass, then back up Jamberoo Mountain Road. Both Macquarie Pass and Jamberoo Mountain Road are much loved by cyclists. WHilst this round trip can be done in either direction, it is better to descend on Macquarie Pass as it has a lot more traffic and it is wise to keep up!
Macquarie Pass
Another big local mountain, this can be added in to a loop for serious cyclists. Up Jamberoo mountain Road, down Maquarie Pass, then back up Jamberoo Mountain Road. Both Macquarie Pass and Jamberoo Mountain Road are much loved by cyclists. WHilst this round trip can be done in either direction, it is better to descend on Macquarie Pass as it has a lot more traffic and it is wise to keep up!
Another steep hill, this favourite outing of ours needs car support. Cycle down Jamberoo Mountain Road, through Jamberoo village, up Saddleback Mountain Road (the last pinch is over 20%), and thence to Kiama. Meet your car support for brunch in one of the lovely cafes, then home.
10 locals recommend
Saddleback Mountain
Another steep hill, this favourite outing of ours needs car support. Cycle down Jamberoo Mountain Road, through Jamberoo village, up Saddleback Mountain Road (the last pinch is over 20%), and thence to Kiama. Meet your car support for brunch in one of the lovely cafes, then home.