Gerringong NSW Guide: What to Do and Where to Stay

This South Coast haven offers the best of the beach and countryside.

On one side, you’ll find the olive-green hills of Rose Valley and Saddleback Mountain. On the other, Werri Beach and the Pacific Ocean. This best-of-both-worlds location is just one of the drawcards of Gerringong, a small town two hours’ drive south of Sydney. Between cool-weather whale watching and idyllic summer swimming spots, this seaside hamlet is an easy destination year-round.

Sleeping beauty

Five-bedroom, three-bathroom timber and concrete Hamilton House sits on the headland, less than five minutes from town by car, enveloped by views in all directions. Perched above the Werri Beach rockpool, the property is the stuff of summer holiday dreams and taking a dip isn’t off-limits even in winter, when the swimming pool is heated. In the cooler months, stay in and warm up in the steam room or relax on an oversized couch by the fireplace and watch the sun go down over the mountains.

View from the top

Breakfast is the best time to hit Sea Vista Cafe, about 10 minutes’ walk away. It serves pancakes with berries, lemon curd and maple syrup or spicy shakshuka with Turkish sausage alongside incredible ocean views – be sure to nab a table on the balcony.

About town

In addition to cultivating everything from free-range hens to kombucha and sauerkraut, Buena Vista Farm, a kilometre from the centre of town, also hosts cooking classes. Learn the art of cheesemaking or sourdough baking and be treated to morning tea, a tour of the working farm and a hearty lunch. Closer to home, a whale-watching platform where you can often spot migrating humpbacks (from late May until the end of July and September through to November) is just 200 metres up the road on Belinda Street.

Creative corner

In Kiama, a 15-minute drive north, the artist-run Sevenmarks Gallery displays contemporary art from a diverse stable of emerging local and international artists. Beyond exhibitions, the space has hosted workshops, dinners and even live tattooing sessions.