INDUSTRY ATTRACTIONS GERRINGONG

The Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Art and Culture Studio is actively participating in a hands on approach to reconciliation in Australia. Come and observe Aboriginal artists at work. The studio is dedicated to Aboriginal cultural awareness featuring artworks, weaving, painting, drawing, tool making, bush toy making, dance, didgeridoo playing, storytelling, Aboriginal art consultancy and Aboriginal sites consultancy. The bush foods and medicine garden offers visitors a first hand look at available bush foods. A range of packaged bush tucker, handmade woven objects and artwork is available to purchase.

The historic old schoolhouse has a new lease on life. Just about everything you taste at The Schoolhouse is made using whatever is flowering and growing in the fields and forests nearby. The teas are grown organically at Foxground. Cheese is made on-site using the freshest, pasture-fed local milk. Enjoy high tea, cheese for two or a private tasting function by appointment. Savour the flavours of the South Coast - you won't be disappointed!

Bonaira Native Gardens feature established rainforest species. Explore the magical and peaceful oasis by foot or bike and pack a picnic lunch for the family. The walk takes 30 minutes and passes a moving monument dedicated to the Wodi Wodi people - the local Aboriginal tribe. An attraction the whole family will love!

Gerringong Golf Club, situated along the coast just south of Gerringong, is a Par 72 championship 18 hole golf course, with views to impress! The course provides magnificent views across farmland to the mountains, whilst a deserted beach forms part of the boundary. The small club house is open daily, providing cart and club hire, drinks and limited food.

Thai @ Kiama serves beautiful freshly prepared meals full of great flavours. The restaurant is warmly welcoming with friendly staff. They are fully licensed (BYO wine) and are air conditioned. Located in the heart of Kiama, on Collins Street next to Kiama Leagues Club, Thai @ Kiama is the perfect location for your next lunch or dinner.

Located in beautiful Gerringong, Jock's Bakery and Cafe offer a variety of freshly baked pastries along with breakfasts, salad bars, and coffee. All that is needed to kick start your day! All freshly baked goodies are made daily on the premises, and Jock's Bakery and Cafe also provide specialty cakes to order.

The Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial Lookout offers panoramic views of Seven Mile Beach National Park and magnificent views of the coastline. The Memorial is in the shape of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's famous aircraft called the 'Southern Cross'. It commemorates his historic record breaking flight on January 11th 1933 across the Tasman to New Zealand. Seven Mile Beach was selected for the take-off area as it was an ideal place and allowed a long, smooth take-off for his heavy laden aircraft. A plaque is on display near the outline of his famous aircraft.

The Crooked River commercial winery produces over 100,000 bottles of soft wines and ports each year. The vineyard and location provide a perfect back drop to the surrounding mountains and ocean vistas. Crooked River Winery and Vineyard is situated 1.5 hours from Sydney Airport, 10 minutes from Kiama and two minutes drive from Gerringong Railway Station on Willow Vale Road just off the Princes Highway. Tours available, bus groups by appointment.

Cafe Parkview an award winning cafe is conveniently situated in the main street of Kiama. Enjoy the light and gourmet meals by qualified chefs, homemade cakes and chocolates. This is a meeting spot for locals with the finest, smoothest coffee made by trained baristas. They have authentic Italian gelato and sorbets and their unique drink menu including chillers. A kids menu is also available.

Kiama's famous Blowhole is the largest in the world! A viewing platform with disabled access gives good views of Kiama blowhole. This landmark has attracted people to the region for over 100 years, was first sighted by George Bass when he anchored his whale boat in the sheltered bay, now known as Kiama harbour, in December 1797. It is estimated that 600,000 people visit the Blowhole per year to view the spectacular plumes of water that can be seen when the seas are running from the south east. Only a short distance from the town centre and railway station, the Kiama blowhole has picnic areas and rock pool nearby. The Beach and Bush Cafe, Visitors Information Centre and toilets are also located nearby and are open 9am to 5pm.

Seven Mile Beach National Park comprises of 898 hectares of coastal land in a narrow strip between the villages of Shoalhaven Heads and Gerroa, about 17 kilometres east of Nowra. This national park is one of the smallest in the state. Seven Mile Beach National Park is 137 kilometres south of Sydney and 6 kilometres south from Gerringong. At Beach Road the new wooden walkway to the beach and viewing platform and the nearby car park provide easy beach access to all, including the disabled. Close by there is a large picnic area with barbecues in a pleasant forest setting. A smaller picnic area is set among tea trees and banksias with easy beach access. There are loop walking tracks through the forest and along the beach. Activities available in park include: bushwalking, swimming, surfing, picnicking. Camping in the national park is now PROHIBITED.

This award-winning cottage industry is on the site of the Old Toolijooa School, beside the Princes Highway about two kilometres south of Gerringong. The old school residence is still there, and in the workshop behind it there are the usual pottery wheels and kilns, and a gallery where finished pots are on display. The potters create mugs, teapots, bowls and casseroles and similar useful things, and often just for fun, owls and pussycats, pelicans, wombats, dragons and little stoneware animals. See lots of pictures on their website. Visitors are always welcome. Depending on the day, you may see pots being made, fired, or glazed. Or just browse about in the display room to see the wide variety of finished items. If you want to be sure the workshop is open, feel free to phone ahead.