Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Bomaderry, Australia

The town of Bomaderry is situated on the northern bank of the Shoalhaven River, directly opposite Nowra, the principal settlement in the City of Shoalhaven.

Bomaderry and Nowra are nearly contiguous, and attractions such as Shoalhaven Zoo, the historic house museum Meroogal, and the imposing cliffs flanking the river are all located just minutes away.

Bomaderry’s advantageous location makes it an ideal starting point for cruises along the Shoalhaven River and excursions into the rapidly developing Shoalhaven Coast Wine Region, where numerous cellar doors can be explored.

By proceeding down the coast, you will soon arrive at Jervis Bay National Park, renowned for its immaculate white beaches and remarkable array of natural habitats.

1. Shoalhaven Coast Wine Region

Bomaderry is centrally located within an expansive wine region that stretches along the coastline from Kangaroo Valley to Milton.

With vineyards situated on north-facing slopes within lush green valleys, this region has gained prominence over recent decades.

Shoalhaven Coast experiences warm summers complemented by the Pacific’s moderating influence and is primarily known for its red grape varieties, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Chambourcin.

This diversity thrives due to its ability to endure the occasionally humid summers, yielding excellent young wines.

As a gateway to this area, Bomaderry is ideally positioned for discovering the region’s offerings.

Three wineries are essentially in the town’s vicinity, including Two Figs Winery, Collangatta Estate, and Mountain Ridge Wines.

2. Shoalhaven Zoo

The riverside zoo, located a short distance west in North Nowra, houses all of the iconic species associated with Australia.

In addition to various species of kangaroos and wallabies, the zoo features wombats, echidnas, koalas, quokkas, emus, dingoes, and saltwater crocodiles.

Shoalhaven Zoo also accommodates a range of exotic animals, including lions, meerkats, and various domestic species.

Occupying 16 acres of native bushland, the park encompasses the magnificent cliffs that border the Shoalhaven River.

Every day from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, there is a schedule of animal shows, and visitors may choose from a variety of special encounter packages for a memorable experience.

For example, the Ultimate Aussie Experience allows participants to cuddle a koala, hold a snake, and safely engage with a crocodile.

3. Fleet Air Arm Museum

Situated just outside Bomaderry, HMAS Albatross serves as the primary air station for the Royal Australian Navy’s aviation branch, tracing its roots back to 1942. The museum, which opened in 1990, features an impressive collection that has been curated over five decades.

As of 2020, the fleet includes more than 30 planes and helicopters, primarily housed in a 6,000m², two-story exhibition hall.

The most notable exhibits include a twin-boom de Havilland Sea Vampire, the anti-submarine Grumman S-2 Tracker, a McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, and a MiG-15. The helicopter collection features several American and British models such as Bells, Sikorskys, and Westlands.

Alongside a myriad of other aviation artifacts and a theater for audiovisual presentations, an observation platform at the museum overlooks HMAS Albatross.

4. Meroogal

A valuable piece of heritage, this weatherboard Carpenter Gothic house in Nowra was the residence of four generations of women from the Thorburn and Macgregor families.

The property dates back to the 1880s and embodies the household lifestyle, preferences, and roles of women throughout the history of rural New South Wales.

Meroogal features a diverse array of family possessions, including furniture, ornaments, books, photographs, art, diaries, household appliances, clothing, and everyday documents.

A tour of the house provides enlightening insights into the daily lives, hobbies, and skills of its inhabitants, while the garden flourishes in spring and has been restored to its 1920s design.

5. Treetops Adventure Nowra

In the canopy of the woodland near Shoalhaven Zoo lies a thrilling high ropes course that incorporates the cliffs bordering the river.

Trees Adventure merges challenging features such as rope bridges, cargo nets, swinging wooden obstacles, and monkey bridges with no less than 13 exhilarating flying foxes.

Occasionally, participants might glimpse the zoo enclosures from the treetops.

Six color-coded courses are available, accommodating individuals from four to seven years old, while the black course stands at 15 meters above the forest floor, boasting 21 intricate challenges.

A typical 2.5-hour session includes gearing up and a 15-minute instructional period.

6. Grotto Walk

The banks of the Shoalhaven River, just west of Nowra, feature towering sandstone cliffs, revealing intriguing nooks for exploration on both sides.

On the northern bank, west of the Nowra Bridge, a two-kilometer trail leads to a striking overhang known as the Grotto.

The path takes you through dense stands of spotted gum and stringy bark, occasionally revealing rewarding views over the river.

Though short, the hike can be challenging, involving steep stone stairways and navigating over rocks.

7. Hanging Rock Lookout

Bens Walk is a 5.5-kilometer trail that begins on the opposite side of the Nowra Bridge from Bomaderry.

The trail follows the southern bank of the Shoalhaven River upstream before veering along Nowra Creek and then returning.

The most picturesque point along this route is Hanging Rock, a ledge approximately 50 meters above the river, offering views upstream towards the Grotto and North Nowra.

This location stands out as an ideal spot in Nowra-Bomaderry for sunset watching.

The journey to this lookout is also enjoyable, featuring a natural corridor through a prominent rock face.

8. Shoalhaven River Cruise

The bushland, farmland, and striking cliffs along the Shoalhaven River can be best appreciated from the water, and an established company is ready to provide this experience.

Departing from the public wharf opposite Bomaderry, Shoalhaven River Cruise is a family-operated business offering trips aboard the Shoalhaven Cruiser, a multi-level vessel featuring a variety of viewing platforms.

Available itineraries include sailing east to the mouth of the Shoalhaven River at Greenwell Point for fish and chips, or journeying upriver on a 2.5-hour adventure to Red Rock, complemented by informative commentary from the skipper.

9. Nowra Fresh Fish & Meat Market

The largest wholesaler of fresh meat and seafood on the South Coast is directly across the Shoalhaven River from Bomaderry.

Even those without a culinary background can appreciate the offerings available here.

Patrons can purchase various cuts of locally sourced meat, while the seafood selection is exceptional, featuring squid, octopus, mussels, prawns, lobsters, oysters, and an astounding variety of fish.

There is a counter where Sydney rock oysters can be shucked on-site, as well as ultra-fresh sushi and sashimi available for selection.

For a unique experience, the market also stocks game meat, including crocodile, emu, buffalo, kangaroo, wild rabbit, wild boar, and goat.

10. Jervis Bay National Park

To the southeast of Bomaderry lies a national park that preserves a remarkable diversity of habitats.

Jervis Bay is deeply rooted in Aboriginal culture, boasting the highest concentration and variety of archaeological sites along the South Coast.

These sites include rock art, coastal middens, axe-grinding grooves, and stone artifacts, which can be explored through specialized excursions organized by the park.

In terms of natural beauty, visitors can experience expansive eucalyptus woodlands, rainforest-lined gullies, rare bangalay sand forests, mangroves, powdery white sandy beaches, salt marshes, wetlands, and much more.

Additionally, the park offers bush-tucker walks, bird-watching outings, or snorkeling opportunities in crystal-clear waters, consistently revealing captivating wildlife.

11. Jervis Bay Maritime Museum

This museum is located on Currambene Creek, nestled within the surrounding bushland in Huskisson.

Huskisson’s maritime heritage is rich, attributable to its historic shipyards.

The museum’s highlight is the 33.7-meter MV Lady Denman, a Sydney Harbour ferry constructed here in 1912. This historic wooden vessel was returned to Huskisson in the 1980s and permanently housed in a dedicated shed in 1998.

The preserved Lady Denman is the last of its kind in New South Wales and is accompanied by a plethora of models, photographs, nautical equipment, and artwork related to the maritime heritage of the Jervis Bay region.

12. Drawing Room Rocks

For an adventurous outing, consider visiting the unique formations known as Drawing Room Rocks located on the edge of the Illawarra Escarpment in Berry.

The sandstone in this area has been sculpted into intriguing shapes resembling tables and chairs, hence the name Drawing Room Rocks.

Moreover, these rocks offer stunning vistas overlooking Kangaroo Valley.

A possible drawback is that they are perched on a cliff’s edge, necessitating caution while exploring.

Accessing Drawing Room Rocks involves a 4.5-kilometer loop that includes several steep and challenging sections, taking approximately 2.5 hours to hike round trip.

13. Callala Beach

Just a 20-minute journey from Bomaderry, Callala Beach is the longest beach in Jervis Bay.

Like all the beaches in this region, Callala Beach is characterized by its pristine white sand and sparkling aquamarine waters.

For swimmers, the northern end of the beach is particularly appealing, as it features a sheltered creek inlet buffered from the bay by a rocky reef during high tide.

The nearby seaside village of Callala Bay boasts a boat ramp, facilitating trips into Jervis Bay for sailing, fishing, or snorkeling.

Visitors are likely to encounter dolphins during their adventures.

At Callala Beach, Club Callala offers the Beach & Bay Bistro as well as an 18-hole golf course inhabited by kangaroos.

14. Nowra Farmers Market

The South Coast enjoys a solid reputation for its produce, which visitors can sample at this venue near the Nowra Fresh Fish & Meat Market.

This permanent farmers’ market sources its offerings from a vast network of local farmers and artisans.

Items available include seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheese, milk, eggs, yogurt, bread, olives, spices, cured meats, dips, honey, preserves, sauces, and much more.

Nowra Farmers Market maintains close connections with nearby growers, ensuring that much of the fresh produce is delivered to the market mere hours after being harvested.

15. Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre

Located just a few minutes from the center of Bomaderry, the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre serves as a regional hub for performing arts.

This striking example of modern architecture, which opened in 2008, features an expansive auditorium with a capacity of 1,200 seats. The programming includes a diverse array of classical music, comedy, dance, children’s entertainment, live performances, musicals, theater, and workshops.

The complex also houses a studio theater for more intimate performances, while guests can enjoy a pre-show drink or meal at the Encore Cafe and Bar located in the foyer.