Lifestyle: Shoalhaven, New South Wales

Located around 3 hours south of Sydney, the Shoalhaven region is a magnet for people wanting a lifestyle charge and change. 

There are magnificent mountains, around 100 beautiful beaches, as well as 49 towns and villages to explore.

*Note: the cover photo is of the sun rising over Ulladulla Harbour, Ulladulla, Destination NSW

This region offers a lot!  Bushwalking, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling, bike riding, yofa, pilates – these are just some of the many activities.

It’s also a place for nature lovers.

For enthusiasts of art there are museums and galleries to visit.

At Illaroo, for example, Bundanon is the result of a gift to the Australian people of 100 hectares by artists Arthur and Yvonne Boyd.   

Showcasing Arthur Boyd’s work, it also has works on many other artists.

It’s actually a hub that includes a visitor centre, accommodation, art gallery and a centre for school students.

If you a wine connoisseur or a foodie, you will also be well catered for.  Wineries include Mountain Ridge Wines, Yarrawa Estate, Two Figs Winery, Cupitt’s Estate…….. The People In The Shoalhaven Area?

The Climate, Shoalhaven

Why I Love The Shoalhaven Area

The enterprising Tracy Holt, founder of tracydrives.com.au  (‘getting you there with care’) says that living in the Shoalhaven area,  (especially Mollymook) ‘is all about the lifestyle. ‘We have the most beautiful beaches and coastline, then there are the beautiful bush walks, Pigeon House, Mount Bushwalker and the Budawang Ranges are all a must to see’.

For Tracy the advantages for living in the area include:
*shorter commute times
*shorter queues at the grocery store
*living expenses are lower

Then there’s simple pleasures like
*a drive through the winding road
*dinner at Bannisters where the moon hits the ocean like a glistering blanket.
*entertainment is more affordable and is generally part of a fund raiser. For example, The Entertainers proceeds went towards Budawang SSP School. In the year prior, the proceeds went to Milton Library.

Tracy adds that ‘if you haven’t heard of The Entertainers, it is a non-profit fundraising organisation-based Ulladulla NSW. They raise funds to donate to local charites by staging an elaborate cabaret performance each year with live music, singers and dancers’. (Tracy recommends that it should be on everyone’s bucket list).

Any challenges of living in the area?

As with any area, there are always a few challenges.

Tracy says that if you are going away: a holiday must be well planned prior to your flight: as this requires a lengthy and costly stay in the long stay car park,. Or, it requires a planned lift to the airport.

There is the familiarity that comes with small towns, an unlocked front door is an open invite to neighbours and friends.

A five-minute trip to the local post office can turn into an hour-long event upon meeting a chatty acquaintance.

Highly paid job opportunities may be limited, although with the Covid ‘working from home’ situation, it allows young families to move to the area and work from home.

Tips

We asked Tracy for three (or more) things you would suggest people do if they visited the area?

Check out the local entertainment: Milton Follies have a wonderful array of productions, inlcuding The Vicar of Dibley and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Monty Python’s Spamalot

There’s also the Blessing of the Fleet Parade on Easter Sunday and the spectacular bush walks.

So much to see and do in the Shoalhaven area.
It’s the Lifestyle!

Contact for: Tracy Drives:
Mobile: : 0427 696 975
Email: tracy@tracydrives.com.au
Website: www.tracydrives.com.au

Jill Weeks has been an educator and author for many years. She is the author of 21 Ways To Retire, which gives insights into how 21 Australians from different backgrounds adjusted to retirement. She is also the co-author with her husband, Owen, of several editions of Where To Retire In Australia and one of Retire Bizzi