2SER Breakfast

If you’re thinking of a great autumn/winter getaway and still be close to Sydney, head to the Shoalhaven.

Just a three-hour drive south, the Shoalhaven is close enough to be a day trip, but if you wanted some time away from the daily grind and immerse your body and mind in the outdoors (comfortably), the Shoalhaven is a good choice.

As far as outdoor walks and hikes goes, the Shoalhaven is the place to be. Did you know that 70% of the Shoalhaven area is covered by National Park and forest? The entire area stretches from Budderoo National Park in Upper Kangaroo Valley River to Murramarang National Park in Durras North. It encompasses both inland forest and coastal beaches – home to 100 beaches!

We did a little getaway for three days, two nights. Went on a few walks, did some yoga, a stargazing activity at night and a lot of eating.

We did four walks that we think really showcases the diverse landscape and magic of the Shoalhaven. All four are a must try, but we’ll go through two you should do if you’re pressed for time, go through the activities we did, and places we ate at. So pack your bags, here we go!

(Images by Mikhail Zenon)

Pigeon House Mountain Didthul Trail, 8kms

Hope you’re not scared of heights

An iconic walk you MUST to do in the Shoalhaven.

It’s a drive south-west from Milton and takes you up Pigeon House Mountain. It was named the Pigeon House Mountain Didthul trail simply because of what it resembles. Captain Cook spotted it while aboard The Endeavour in 1770 saying it looked like a pigeon house, while the Indigenous Aboriginals dubbed it Didthul (woman’s breast).  

The trail is a mix of stairs, steep stone steps, a bit of rock scrambling, and more wooden and stone steps through forest and heathland that gets steeper as you go.

What makes this walk different from the others is the last bit. Just before the summit, you have to climb a series of steel stairs and ladders taking you vertically up the mountain face to the very top. The climb ascends amongst the treetops and the view keeps getting better and better the higher you go.

When you get to the top, a newly built platform gives you a stunning 360 degree view of the Budawang Wilderness and Clyde River Catchment. The platform sits on top of a Trig Station which was used by surveyors to measure the distance and altitude of a landscape for map building. Trig stations are placed at the highest point of areas to get an acurate reading.

Just remember what goes up, must come down. The descent on the ladders are really something – especially if you’re afraid of heights. The trick is to face the ladders going down. You get a better grib on the handrails and the wind won’t knock you about. I’m scared of heights but I really enjoyed this trail. It’s a MUST do.

Dre wearing the Navis fleece and the Transit Sling Pack by Mountain Designs, and Obzos Katabatic shoes by Kathmandu.

Pretty Beach to Snake Bay, 7kms

Pretty Beach to Snake Bay walk

This walk takes you along the coast and onto the shores of several beaches in the Murramarang National Park.

We did the out-and-back Pretty Beach to Snake Bay walk which makes up the first part of the 3-day Murramarang South Coast Walk. Starting at the Pretty Beach carpark you have to walk onto the shore of Pretty Beach along the sand and south rimming the coast. Plan your walk around low tide and avoid the trail during days with rough surf or strong winds.

Expect to see grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies at Pretty Beach and ones hanging around the trail throughout your walk. Murramarang National Park is known for it’s friendly wildlife and for their spotted gum trees. This is one of the only places in Australia when you can find a spotted gum tree right at the shoreline. Who doesn’t want a beachside property?

Prepare for a lot of fun rock scrambling to keep you on your toes (literally) because you have to traverse an entire beach covered in large stones to get to the other side of the trail. Once you get to Snake Bay you’ll have the whole beautiful beach to yourself because Snake Bay can only be reached by walking this trail.  

Pretty Beach to Snake Bay is a highlight walk for the region. The entire walk is so picturesque and one of the only walks that blends the forest and the ocean into one.

Dre is wearing the Trailhead fleece,  Veos pack and Obzos Katabatic shoes by Kathmandu.

Activities for the mind and body:

Yoga

Surrender to zen

We did a morning Slow Flow yoga class at Om Sweet Om yoga. Classes are held in the Ulladulla Water Ski Club in Kings Point Reserve. A homely wooden room that overlooks the trees in the reserve and the waters of Stony Creek. A beautiful and calming place to put your mind and body at ease. 

Owner, Chantal took us through a slow flow class with ujjayi breathwork and a sound bath to close the practice. Our minds felt refreshed and rejuvinated, and our bodies stretched out and loosen, refreshed after the walk the day before and ready for the walking planned for the rest of the day.

Stargazing

Look up

We ended one night with a stargazing experience with Jervis Bay Stargazing. A wonderful, wholesome and eye-opening experience where you sit in comfy camping chairs on the beach, wrapped up in blankets under the night sky while astrophysicists Dimitri and Ron invite you to look up. They teach you about the night sky, how it was used by Indigenous cultures to travel, read their location, tell the time and tell stories. They went through scientific facts about our solar system and the galaxy, and retold the stories about our stars told throughout generations.

We had a closer look at the moon, the Jewel box nebula and star clusters on telescope and binoculars. A facinating night where we just looked up and lived in the moment, reminding you that the galaxy is bigger than you and I and it will continue on far after we’re gone.

Places to eat:

Milton Hotel

Hats off to the food and drinks at Milton Hotel

In the mood for something fancy? Go to Milton Hotel.

Milton Hotel is a hated restaurant awarded with one hat by The Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide in 2023 and 2024. The food was *chefs kiss*.

The menu consists of local catches from the Shoalhaven region. The oyster dish was caught from the Clyde River Catchment which we viewed from the walk we did earlier that afternoon – we came full circle.

The cocktails were a delight. We spoke to Dean, who concocts the cocktail menu and has the hard job of reinventing the drinks menu to make it fresh throughout the year. At the time we spoke, he was having writer’s block (it gets us all). 

They even have an inhouse brewery, Dangerous Ales, that makes their award-winning craft beer right next door. You can see Dangerous Ales from the balcony of Milton Hotel.

Milk Haus

Nourishing and sustainable plate

Located in the town of Woodstock on farmland, Milk Haus is a completely different experience and vibe.

They serve a seasonal and sustainable menu using their on-site kitchen garden and local produce for sale. You can walk through their kitchen garden while you wait for your food.

Milk Haus is part of a thriving local food community that promotes good, clean and fair food produced in the Shoalhaven region – an option than the mainstream supermarkets 

Bud’s Tavern

Memorable atmosphere. Image credit: Shoalhaven Tourism

Located in 2024’s Australian Top Tiny Town: Huskisson, Bud’s Tavern is a local pub on the main drag of Huskisson.

Run by brothers Scott and Blake, it’s family owned and run (their mum makes all the sauces). Named after Scott and Blake’s grandpa, Bud’s Tavern has an 80s-esk vibe through & through.

They do pub classics and some fancy bites that’ll surprise you. That’s all because Scott comes from a fine dining background which he sprinkled into the menu.

The place has such a nice atmosphere and vibe. I still remember that warm atmosphere like I was there yesterday.

Overall

In three days we were able to sample a tiny bit of the vast selection of walks in the Shoalhaven. You’ll find a walk for any level, with any view to engulf yourself in nature and disconnect. On the other end, you’ll also find a gourmet meal, sustainably sourced plate, a hospitable family-owned diner, or a business willing to share their knowledge and passion to make others and the world a better place. 

A perfect place to get out of Sydney to find some nourishment for your mind and body, and just disconnect.

Dre was a guest of Shoalhaven Tourism. Decked out by Mountain Designs, and Kathmandu.

All images by Mikhail Zenon.

Full story published in Great Walks Magazine’s June-July 2025 Issue.