| Nowra | |
Location: | 161km south of Sydney on the Princes Highway |
Shire: | City of Shoalhaven |
Population: | 21 942 (inc Bomaderry) |
Postcode: | 2541 |
The lush, picturesque land around the south coast tourist town of Nowra sustains a thriving dairying industry. An eightspan steel bridge links Nowra, on the southern bank of the Shoalhaven River, with its twin, Bomaderry, on the opposite bank. Bomaderry is the terminus of the south coast railway from Sydney.
Captain James Cook surveyed this part of the coast in 1770 and exploration of the area took place not long after the first settlers arrived in Sydney. George Bass found the Shoalhaven River in 1797, James Meehan explored in 1802, and Alexander Berry settled in 1822. Timbercutters moved into the district in 1812, the village was planned in 1852 and the town founded in 1862. Milkprocessing, pulp and papermilling, fishing and flourmilling are some of the main industries today, most of them being carried out in Bomaderry.
St Andrew's Church, built in 187375 to a design by J Horbury Hunt, is one of the town's most interesting buildings. The old police station has now been given over to the Shoalhaven Historical Museum for displays of the area's history and the beautiful old house 'Meroogal' is open for inspection on weekends. Native fauna and exotic peacocks are on show in a rainforest setting in the Nowra Animal Park, along with other attractions such as hayrides, a giant slippery dip, caves to explore, horse riding and views of the Shoalhaven River.
Coolangatta Historic Village Resort comprises a group of buildings built by the district's founder, Alexander Berry. Originally convictbuilt, they have been restored and converted into motel units. The old Coolangatta schoolhouse now houses the Old Coolangatta Pottery Craft Centre with its large studio and display area featuring handblown glass, folk art, pottery, wood and other handcrafted items.
HMAS Albatross is a naval air base station providing training and support facilities for carrier air groups around the Australian coast. The Australian Naval Aviation Museum at HMAS Albatross features vintage aircraft, aircraft engines and models, naval equipment, memorabilia and photographs.
Panoramic views of the Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay areas can be seen from Nowra Hill Lookout and just a short stroll along Commodore's Walk is the Harry Hawkins Memorial Lookout, where seats have been provided so that visitors can relax and enjoy the splendid scenery in comfort.
Sixteen kilometres north of Nowra is the treeshaded township of Berry, founded by David Berry, brother of Alexander. The town has several National Trust classified buildings, a museum and is known for its galleries and craft shops.
Kangaroo Valley village is set in a scenic valley surrounded by prosperous dairy farms approximately 20 kilometres from Nowra. The township is a pleasant collection of craft shops and studios, tea rooms and small houses. There is a pub, the Friendly Inn, and the historic Barrengarry Store and Post Office.
The Hampden Suspension Bridge crosses the Kangaroo River at the western end of town. This sandstone bridge, built in the style of a castle, was opened in 1898. Under the bridge is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, canoeing and picnics. Pumpkin Cottage (1829) is one of the features of Pioneer Farm Museum adjacent to the bridge. Other attractions include an early settlers hut, a reconstruction of an 1880s dairy farm and farm equipment. Sharply Vale Fruit World, a tourist farm on Mt Scanzi Road, offers orchard tours, buggy rides and a friendship farm.