Shoalhaven Brewery & Distillery Trail

Tara Distillery, Nowra Hill - Credit: Destination NSW

Details

Open leg route

104.1KM / 64.7MI (Est. travel time an hour)

The Shoalhaven region is alive with boutique breweries and award-winning distilleries.

The coastal breeze feels just that little bit better with a crafted beverage in hand. From edgy industrial precincts in Nowra to the lush rolling hills of Milton and the rugged coastline of Bawley Point, excellent producers are spread throughout Shoalhaven for connoisseurs of craft beer, fine whiskeys and zesty gins. Meet the maker with workshops and tastings, or just enjoy the casual vibe of the pet- and family-friendly brew pubs.

This trail is within a 2.5- to 3.5-hour drive for both Sydneysiders and Canberrans, and is the perfect escape from the city. Pair your trip with a rejuvenating overnight in nature, sharing the epic surf breaks with the local friendly beach kangaroos and living like a local on the beautiful South Coast.

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1

Nowra

Home to a thriving craft beer and spirits scene, take your pick of tipple in Nowra.

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Tara Distillery - Credit: Destination NSW

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Among Nowra's food and drink highlights is Husky Brewing, where a range of distinctive beers are brewed on site, like the Winchester Witch, an English dark ale, the Curly Tail pale ale and the YB, a classic Australian bitter. Grab a slice of wood-fired pizza from the Hungry Husky food truck and enjoy your spread in the alfresco dining space.

South Yeast Brewery also pours some fascinating flavours. The Hyper Stout - a coffee chocolate stout infused with Hyper Hyper’s European-style Blend 6 espresso - is a must-try. Food trucks, live music and games make for a fun day out.

Whet your whistle at Old Salt Distillery, where small-batch spirits are served alongside fruit-based seltzers, housemade sodas, seasonal craft beer releases (such as cherry sour and milk-chocolate stout) and a menu that hints at the owners' fine-dining past (husband and wife Terry and Michelle Robinson both worked at Sepia in Sydney).

Meanwhile, Tara Distillery produces a collection of gin, vodka and whisky in two beautiful copper pot stills named 'Beag' and 'Bec' using freshly harvested Shoalhaven rainwater and local ingredients, from hand-foraged sea lettuce found at nearby beaches to Australian pepperberry leaf. Take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn more.

Sights & Activities

Husky BrewingHusky Brewing South Nowra

4 Cumberland Avenue, South Nowra, New South Wales, Australia, 2541

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Old Salt Distillery

Old Salt Distillery

18 Tom Thumb Avenue, South Nowra, New South Wales, Australia, 2541

info@oldsaltdistillery.com

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Non-smoking

Modern Australian, Dinner, Lunch

Parking

This small batch distillery carefully distils a range of award winning gins, vodka and fruit liqueurs all which can be enjoyed at the distillery's bar.

Tara Distillery

Destination NSW

112 Tea Tree Lane, Nowra Hill, New South Wales, Australia, 2540

0401 167 910

info@taradistillery.com.au

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Australian, Takeaway

Parking, Coach Parking

Tara Distillery is the Shoalhaven’s first craft distillery. Established in 2019, Tara’s handcrafted Gin, Vodka & spirits are produced in their two beautiful copper pot

South Yeast Brewing

11 Geary Place, North Nowra, New South Wales, Australia, 2541

0431 331 970

sybrewing@gmail.com

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Takeaway

Live Music

South Yeast Brewing is a small batch craft brewery situated in North Nowra NSW. Set up and operated by local twin brothers, Simon and Joey.

2

Jervis Bay

Sample unique, homegrown brews with a postcard-perfect backdrop at Jervis Bay.

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Jervis Bay Brewing Co - Credit: Destination NSW

Arrive via car from Jervis Bay25KM / 15MI ~ Approximately 19 minutes

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Vivid aquamarine waters, sand the colour of snow, a menagerie of native wildlife and unspoilt bushland are not the only notable attractions at the always popular Jervis Bay. This little pocket of paradise also tastes as good as it looks.

Founded by four local blokes with a passion for community and beer, Jervis Bay Brewing Co creates a range of intriguingly named brews that reference local history and landmarks. Like the Point Perp Pilsner, the Eggcellent St. Chocolate Milk Stout and Rainbird Dark Lager. The garden is kid- and dog-friendly, and food trucks pull up each day to serve snacks.

The latest kid on the brewery block, the Huskisson-based Flamin Galah Brewing Co was founded by born-and-bred locals Sam and Claire Hewson in 2018. Pull up a galah-pink seat and sample some of the eight brews - the tinnies resemble works of art.

If you have some extra time up your sleeve, make tracks for Booderee National Park. Jointly managed by the government and local Indigenous community, the beaches and bushland are simply sublime.

Sights & Activities

Booderee National Park

Jervis Bay Brewing Co.

Flamin Galah Brewing Co

Booderee National Park

Parks Australia

Village Road, Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia, 2540

1800 357 823

booderee.mail@dcceew.gov.au

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Public Toilet, Picnic Area

Picnic Area, Barbeque

Public Toilet

Lookouts

$6.50 ~ $13 AUD*

Parking

* More information regarding park entry costs can be found on the Booderee website. https://parksaustralia.gov.au/booderee/plan/park-passes/

Crystal-clear waters meet beautiful white sand beaches, while high cliffs and historic relics overlook the majestic Pacific Ocean. Extraordinary native wildlife with expansive botanic gardens.

Jervis Bay Brewing Co.

3 Duranbah Drive, Huskisson, New South Wales, Australia, 2540

(02) 4401 2142

info@jervisbaybrewing.co

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Caters for people who use a wheelchair. Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids), Ambulant Access, Wheelchair Access

Ambulant Access

Beer, Wine, Dinner, Lunch, Takeaway

Entertainment, WiFi, Live Music

Parking

Caters for people who use a wheelchair. Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids), Ambulant Access, Wheelchair Access, Caters for people who use a wheelchair. Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)

Founded by four blokes who believe that enjoyment and community are more important than profits and numbers.

Flamin Galah Brewing Co

Destination NSW

5 Erina Road, Huskisson, New South Wales, Australia, 2540

(02) 4441 7213

info@flamingalahbrewingco.com

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Caters for people who use a wheelchair., Wheelchair Access

Beer, Dinner, Lunch, Takeaway

Live Music

Parking

Caters for people who use a wheelchair., Wheelchair Access, Caters for people who use a wheelchair.

With over 12 exceptional beers on tap, the brewery produces its own low-calorie fruity seltzers, and vodka, and has an array of cocktails.

3

Milton & Mollymook

While known for its surf beaches and endless ocean views, this part of the South Coast is also a culinary hotspot, so prepare to feast.

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Cupitts Winery & Brewery, Ulladulla - Credit: Elise Hassey

Arrive via car from Milton & Mollymook53KM / 33MI ~ Approximately 37 minutes

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Continuing south, drop into Milton's Dangerous Ales to taste the avant-garde Lemon, Lime and Why So Bitter? sour ale, Backyard Pale Ale or Uncle Damo’s Oaths – a stout with chocolate and toffee notes.

Break up the journey with a visit to Mollymook’s two-kilometre beach, known for its stellar surf breaks.

More food and drink awaits at Cuppitt’s Estate, with its restaurant, winery, brewery and fromagerie, plus cottages where you can overnight. Order a seasonal beer tasting paddle and sit outside on the idyllic lawns to soak up views of the vineyard and neighbouring Pigeon House Mountain. A relaxed a la carte menu is available for dining alfresco seven days a week.

Sights & Activities

Mollymook Beach

Cupitt's Estate Cellar Door

Dangerous Ales Brewery

Mollymook Beach

2 Mitchell Parade, Mollymook Beach, New South Wales, Australia, 2539

(02) 4421 0778

tourism@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

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Free Entry

Public Toilet, Picnic Area

Picnic Area, Cafe, Barbeque, Kiosk

Public Telephone, Public Toilet

Fishing, Snorkelling, Surfing, Swimming

Parking

Mollymook Beach sweeps for two kilometres between Bannister Point in the north and the southern headland where the Mollymook golf club is located.

Cupitt's Estate Cellar DoorCupitt's Estate Cellar Door Wine Tastings

58 Washburton Road, Ulladulla, New South Wales, Australia, 2539

(02) 4455 7888

info@cupitt.com.au

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Australian, Bar, Beer, Beverage, Brasserie, Chocolate, Cider, Cocktails, Coffee, Degustation, Dessert, European, French, Fusion, Gourmet, International, Light Meals, Mediterranean, Modern Asian, Modern Australian, Modern European, Modern French, Organic, Other Cuisine, Pizza or Wood fired Pizza, Seasonal Local Produce, Share Plates, Slow Food, Steak, Tapas, Tasting Flight, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine, Wine Bar, Woodfired Cooking, Waterside Dining

Entertainment, WiFi, Live Music

Parking

Cupitt’s Estate is one of the South Coast’s most alluring food and drink attractions: a winery, brewery, restaurant and fromagerie that also offers luxury accommodation.

Dangerous Ales Brewery

74 PRINCES HWY, Milton, New South Wales, Australia, 2538

(02) 4454 0727

info@dangerousales.com

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Non-smoking

Australian, Bar, Beer, Modern Australian, Woodfired Cooking, Dinner, Lunch

Entertainment, Live Music

Embrace the wild flavours and laid-back atmosphere that makes Dangerous Ales a must-visit destination.

4

Bawley Point

Take a beer-and-gin break to explore the beaches and cellar doors of Bawley Point, before settling in for a night under the stars.

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Bawley Vale Estate, Bawley Point - Credit: Rachael Tagg

Arrive via car from Bawley Point27KM / 17MI ~ Approximately 19 minutes

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On the way to pretty Bawley Point is the family-friendly Bawley Vale Estate. It features a dramatic high-ceilinged modern-industrial cellar door, a tranquil lake, picnic lawns and adorable farm animals such as alpacas, goats, deer and cows. The cellar door is only open on Sundays and bookings are essential.

Had your fill of food and wine? A bounty of beaches are ripe for exploring. The protected Kioloa Beach is a particularly great choice for families, kayakers and those looking to do a spot of fishing.

Extend your trip by setting up camp at Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach, one of the few holiday parks on the NSW coast that offers absolute beachfront sites for caravans and camping. With nature on your doorstep - or outside your tent flap - enjoy birdwatching, hiking, swimming and fishing. If you are lucky, you may wake up in the morning surrounded by the resident kangaroos.