Top Towns for 2022: A quick guide to the very best of Gerringong, NSW

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Find a sweet spot in this breezy beach town nestled between green coastal pasture and the Pacific Ocean on the NSW South Coast. Here, we explore Gerringong’s highlights to uncover why the town landed at number 47 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

At first flush, the green hills of Gerringong look a little bit like England. The cows grazing nonchalantly on pasture that rolls, dramatically, all the way down to the edge of the cliffs.

The unabashed bucolic nature of the scene looks clipped straight from a period drama like Poldark. And yet. This tiny town just a stone’s throw from Kiama on the NSW South Coast is every bit Australian.

Gerringong Beach
Gerringong is your classic Aussie beach town. (Image: Destination NSW/ James Horan)

What to see and do in Gerringong

It’s a classic Aussie beach town, where life revolves around Werri Beach. A popular surf spot patrolled in warmer months, this main beach is bookended to the north by a sheltered lagoon favoured by young families who swim in its shallower waters. And to the south by Ourie Rock Pool, chipped into the rock shelf in the 1930s to cater to campers and entice tourists.

Ourie Rock Pool
Ourie Rock Pool is a local favourite. (Image DNSW)

Further south still, tucked below the cliffs and dating to the early 1900s, Boat Harbour Rock Pool is one of Gerringong’s true hidden gems.

The Kiama Coast Walk, a 20-kilometre trail along the headland with spectacular ocean views, culminates at Werri Beach, too. It’s a must-do when in town – if only walked in part. The six-kilometre Loves Bay to Gerringong section zigzags through the coastal pastures.

Kiama Coastal Walk near Gerringong
Gerringong’s green hills roll right down to the water.

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Where to eat in Gerringong

When you’ve worked up an appetite, eat within arm’s reach of the ocean. Sea Vista Cafe offers great options from breakfast through to lunch (brekkie rolls, shakshouka, baked barramundi, steak sandwiches, bliss bowls and burgers) with as-promised ocean views.

Gather by the Hill has a beach backdrop and slick, breezy interiors to complement its wine, cocktails and modern Australian menu.

Located in the Cronin’s Hotel (owned by Rugby League legend Mick Cronin), Jack’s Grill by Smith St. Foods serves up classic pub fare with a few fancier dishes thrown in.

Just outside town, scenically situated Crooked River Wines offers wine tastings, meals and overnight stays.

Tasting at Crooked River Wines
Stop for a sip at Crooked River Wines. (Image: Destination NSW)

Or sign up for a cooking class at Buena Vista Farm, with workshops encompassing everything from a sourdough masterclass to cheesemaking.

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Where to stay in Gerringong

Accommodation options are plentiful. Werri Beach Holiday Park is a great place to holiday with the whole family, dog included, with its range of cabins as well as powered and unpowered sites.

Set on a vast tract of oceanfront farmland, designer Dovecote is an all-out luxe option as is the gorgeous Greyleigh, a brand-new farm stay in nearby Jerrara.

Inside Dovecote Gerringong
Check into Dovecote for all-out luxury.(Image: Alex Sprichard/ Dovecote)
Views at Dovecote Gerringong
This designer property boasts panoramic
ocean views. (Image: Alex Sprichard/ Dovecote)

Or check into the aptly named The Beach House, a sweet holiday home close to the ocean with solid coastal chic vibes.

Explore more of the NSW South Coast in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.
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After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
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    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.