If you’re looking for a quick weekend escape from Sydney and surrounds, a night or two in the beautiful beachside town of Gerringong will leave you feeling relaxed, reset and back at one with nature. Just a two-hour drive south from the city CBD along the winding coastal roads, the golden sands, deep blue rolling surf and undulating green pastures will transport you away from the hustle and bustle, offering a mental break from daily life.
Getting there is easy, with simple directions down the M1 OR Grand Pacific Drive. Don’t own a car? Car sharing company, Popcar, is a great affordable option, offering flexibility to suit your lifestyle needs without the long lines at rental agencies, to get you on the road and to your destination, faster.
Bringing holiday-ready Aussies to the beautiful South Coast this Summer, Popcar and the experts at South Coast Experiences (SCx) have shared their must-do itinerary for 24 hours in Gerringong.
DAY 1- DEPARTING SYDNEY
Take the scenic route from Sydney
Head out from Sydney at first light via the Grand Pacific Drive – a 140km stretch of spectacular coastal scenery that winds from the Royal National Park to Nowra. The highlight en route is the 665m-long Sea Cliff Bridge; an icon for locals and travellers alike. Pull up your car at the viewing platform to take in the ocean views – you might even spot migrating whales during whale season (May-November).
Top tip: hire a Popcar sports car, like the Toyota 86, for a fun drive.
Stop for breakfast en route at Earthwalker Café
Just over an hour south of Sydney, at about the half-way point, you’ll find Earthwalker Café in the coastal town of Coledale – a great spot for breakfast. This sustainable café is certified ‘ocean-friendly’ and plastic-free, with a goal of working towards zero waste.
Top tip: They serve a delicious wholesome all-day menu, with key favourites being freshly baked sourdough, sweet potato burgers and halloumi pumpkin rolls.
Pop into The Farm Killalea to stretch the legs
A further 40 minutes on from Earthwalker Café, nearing the end of your drive, take a quick detour to Killalea Beach, or 'The Farm', as the locals call it. One of the most popular surfing beaches on the South Coast, it is surrounded by 250 hectares of pristine coastal reserve, and a great place to stretch your legs after the long drive. With striking views in all directions and lots of walking trails to choose from, you’re only 20 minutes to Gerringong from this last pit stop.
LUNCH - ARRIVE AT YOUR ACCOMMODATION
Have lunch waiting on arrival
There are a number of beautiful properties to choose from in Gerringong. If you need a little inspiration, South Coast Experiences has shared a selection of hand-picked accommodation favourites. Alternatively, the team offers complimentary itinerary curation, tailored to your needs.
Top tip: Why not ask South Coast Experiences to arrange a lunch and cocktail hamper, ready and waiting for you on arrival, complete with a signature cocktail of your creation? All ingredients are provided - simply mix, shake and enjoy.
AFTERNOON - EXPLORING GERRINGONG
Grab a coffee and explore the town
Gerringong is a lovely place to explore on foot, visiting the 19th-century Gerringong Uniting Church – with its magical stained-glass windows – and the historic Boat Harbour Store, which opened in 1856. Stop for a coffee at The Kiosk, a café just back from Seven Mile Beach, before heading out for a walk on the sand (or even a quick swim in the sea!). In town, you could visit Fern Street Gallery – an award-winning contemporary art gallery, host to frequent exhibitions and an array of workshops – or do some shopping at the beautiful boutique shop, Ziba Lifestyle.
Visit a sustainable farm
For a real taste of the Gerringong countryside, head to Buena Vista Farm – a picturesque sustainable agricultural farm, home to laying hens, chickens, honey bees, ducks and dairy goats. You can walk around the farm with a guide, learning more about their organic farming practices as you visit the ocean-facing kitchen garden, medicinal herb garden and coffee grove with over 100 established coffee trees. They also host cooking workshops if you’re in the mood to be creative.
Top Tip: Bringing the whole family? Opt for a Popcar SUV for maximum space and comfort.
EVENING - DRINKS AND DINNER
Have a pre-dinner drink at Stoic Brewery
Head over to this family-owned and operated brewery-bar for handmade beer and cider, brewed on site. Flavours are super inventive, with creation from smoked porters and red IPAs, to peanut butter stouts and ice-cold lagers. Weekend’s usually include food trucks and live music, making it a great place to spend an hour or two before dinner. It’s best to check their instagram page beforehand to find out about the latest happenings and events.
Dinner at the Hill Bar and Kitchen
Enjoy dinner over sweeping views of Werri Beach at the Hill Bar and Kitchen. They have a cool outside terrace and chic wooden interiors, reflecting the rugged coastal surroundings. Grab a cold beer or glass of wine, and enjoy their modern Australian menu made from sustainable, locally-sourced ingredients.
Top tip: After dinner, enjoy a walk under the stars on Werri Beach to end the day.
DAY 2 - EXPLORING THE JOURNEY HOME
Start the day right: Sunrise and Pilates
Rise early and watch the sunrise on Werri Beach, which usually breaks around 6am. If you’re feeling active, Body In-Line Pilates is open from 6am, just back from the beach. They welcome all visitors, with mat and barre classes offering lovely views of the coast.
Top tip: Jump in your Popcar and drive down to the rock pools at sunrise - the water is stunning as it reflects the beautiful purples, pinks and oranges of the sunrise!
Enjoy a day of creativity before you head back to Sydney
Embark on a bespoke South Coast Experiences Creative Day. Tailored to your preferences, hobbies and interests, the day usually begins with a walk outside (perhaps around a vegetable garden, if you’re a bit of a foodie, or at a botanic garden discussing weaving mediums), before trying your hand in a creative masterclass, and a delicious catered lunch. The afternoon will then involve a hands-on workshop. Opportunities range from visual artists, weaving, writing and candle making, to cocktail making, ceramics and cooking classes. A truly unique and immersive way to enjoy the talents of the South Coast, head over to the South Coast Experiences website to find out more, here.
WANT TO EXTEND YOUR TRIP?
Check out South Coast Experiences’ Inspiration page for guides to the nearby towns, or visit Experiences to see other great things to do in the area. South Coast Experiences will help you plan the perfect trip to the South Coast NSW – free of charge – so reach out to the team if there’s anything they can do to make your planning easier.
HOT TIP: In celebration of the holiday period, Popcar is offering customers the option for an extended booking and bonus days, meaning if you make a 4 day booking, you get a 5th day for free, and if you make a 8 day booking, you get an 9th and 10th day for free.
About South Coast Experiences (SCx)
South Coast Experiences offers curated experiences for people looking to discover the best of the South Coast NSW. Founded by South Coast local of over 20 years, Kate Mather, South Coast Experiences is a dedicated tourism platform, bringing the stunning South Coast NSW region to life for guests to explore, stay and discover. Celebrating the vibrancy and creative diversity of the area through its innate understanding and network of creative producers, the platform offers a complimentary trip planning service, tailored to the needs of guests to maximise experience. We’ve hand-picked unique activities, boutique accommodation, top restaurants, art galleries, and the most exciting events and workshops – all run by the passionate professionals that call this region home.
About Popcar
Popcar is a car sharing service that is changing the convention of owning a car with a focus on making car sharing better than owning a car by providing Australians with access to premium cars when they need them to provide a more sustainable way to get around. Popcar is on a mission to get more Australians to make the switch to sustainable transport. For further information about Popcar and find out how to sign up, access the share cars and pricing, please visit www.popcar.com.au.
