Shoalhaven Heads: Beach, Nature and Recreation

Shoalhaven Heads offers a range of options for a stay: direct access to Seven Mile Beach, Seven Mile Beach National Park, a botanical garden, and places for recreation and boating. Each has its own focus. When planning your trip, you can choose between the beach and national park, a plant collection, memorials and specific recreational activities.

Beach and National Park

Seven Mile Beach National Park stretches from Shoalhaven Heads, east of Nowra, to Gerroa. Shoalhaven Heads offers direct access to Seven Mile Beach. The national park offers opportunities for fishing, swimming, picnicking and walking. The options range from getting active on a walk to taking a break with a picnic; fishing and swimming each offer a different focus for your stay.

There are areas of Seven Mile Beach at Shoalhaven Heads where dogs are allowed off leash at all times. If you are travelling with a dog, check the local rules before your visit, as requirements may change.

Plants and Memorials

Shoalhaven Heads Native Botanic Garden features Australian native plants, including rare, threatened and bush tucker species. This sets the garden apart from the beach and the national park: the focus is on plants. If you would like to include a botanical attraction in your trip planning, the garden offers a distinct focus.

Shoalhaven Heads Memorial Park includes several memorials commemorating conflicts in which Australia was involved. This adds a historical dimension of remembrance to trip planning alongside nature and recreational interests. Its focus differs from the plant collection at the Native Botanic Garden and activities in the national park: here, the focus is on remembering conflicts.

Recreation Areas and Boating

Jerry Bailey Reserve has a pump track for scooters, bicycles and skaters. If you would like to include an activity for one of these pursuits in your stay, this specific facility is a place to visit.

River Road Reserve is on the banks of the Shoalhaven River and has a jetty, a playground, barbecue facilities and picnic tables. This combination gives the reserve a different focus from the pump track at Jerry Bailey Reserve. Facilities may change; check the latest information if you are planning a visit.

There are three public boat ramps in Shoalhaven Heads. However, due to current conditions, only two are recommended without restriction for regular use. Check the current situation before setting out, as conditions at the ramps may change.

Hay Avenue Boat Ramp has a fish-cleaning station and a wash-down tap. River Road Boat Ramp, at the Holiday Haven end, has a floating pontoon for getting in and out of boats. Carters Corner also has a local jetty suitable for family fishing. These places differ in their stated purposes: the ramps are associated with specific facilities and a recommendation for use, while Carters Corner has a jetty for family fishing.

Discover more destinations: Georges Plains, Sefton, Kyogle, Breadalbane, Nericon, Central Coast, Gemalla, Lake Cathie.

Go to the main travel overview: New South Wales.