Culburra

Culburra Beach, with a population of 3,500 is the regional centre for the coastal villages east of Nowra. Originally designed by Walter Burley Griffin, the architect who designed Canberra, its shops and businesses provide a range of services and places to eat for residents and visitors to the region.

The town also boasts the two closest surf beaches to Nowra and is home to the Culburra Beach and Nowra Surf Club whose clubhouse is located at the northern end of Warrain Beach.

Water Activites

The beaches are patrolled during the summer holiday period, and being located on either side of Penguin Head face in different directions, providing a variety of surf conditions for board riders, swimmers, body surfers and families with young children. A wide variety of fish species are caught on these beaches and from the rocky headlands adjacent to them.

Picnic areas are located at a number of areas adjacent to the beaches including Tilbury Cove and Crookhaven Heads. Other picnic areas are on the shores of Lake Wollumboola near its entrance and at the Lake Wollumboola boat ramp. Tennis and squash courts and the bowling club provide an alternative to the beaches. Live bands perform at the club most weekends.

Regional boatramp at Crookhaven Heads

Culburra Beach with Lake Wollumboola in the background

Lake Wollumboola is an intermittently opening coastal lake that is used for a number of recreational purposes depending on the water level in the lake. When the water level is high, sailing, windsurfing and water skiing are all popular. Lower water levels encourage a wide variety of bird life turning the region into an ornithologists delight. The walk around the lake foreshore from the entrance in either direction allows a pleasant interaction with nature. After lake openings prawn and fish larvae develop in the lake with excellent catches being recorded.

The Crookhaven Headland Reserve, home to the Shoalhaven Marine Rescue Base, is undergoing a major upgrade. The walk around the headland adjacent to the historical light

house follows a well-developed track and provides good views of the whole of the Crookhaven Bight. Excellent catches of fish are regularly reported from the rocks near the river entrance.

The regional boat ramp located at Crookhaven Heads provides safe launching facilities providing access to the Crookhaven and Shoalhaven Rivers, local offshore fishing grounds and "The Banks", famous for its marlin, tuna and other game fish. The Orient Point boat ramp also gives access to the river for small craft. Charter boats and many private boats use these offshore fishing grounds.

SCUBA divers also use the Crookhaven Heads boat ramp to access "The Banks" (For experienced divers only) and other dive sites around the Beecroft Peninsula including Lobster Bay the wrecks of the SS Merimbula and SS Wandra.

A variety of accommodation is available to visitors to the area catering to all tastes from motel rooms, and B&Bs to a wide variety of rental houses and caravan parks.

Callala Bay, Callala Beach & Myola

The townships of Callala Bay, Callala Beach and Myola are located on the northern side of beautiful Jervis Bay and are accessed from the Culburra Beach Road. Both towns have a variety of food and other shops. Rental cottages, B&Bs, and caravan parks provide tourist accommodation.

Currambene Creek at Myola

Callala Beach

The sheltered white sandy beaches of northern Jervis Bay provide safe swimming and excellent fishing. They are especially popular for families with young children or people who prefer still water swimming.

The recently upgraded Callala Bay boat ramp gives access to Jervis Bay for fishing, sailing and SCUBA diving. Sailing of all types is becoming increasingly popular with the Jervis Bay Cruising Yacht Club being based at Callala Bay. The Callala Bay Triathlon, held annually, is becoming a feature on that sports national circuit.

The Sportsman's Club at Callala Beach has bowling greens, a scenic nine-hole golf course and an excellent Chinese Restaurant. Visitors are welcome.

Callala Bay near boatramp

Currarong

Currarong is a quiet coastal village located 33 km south-east of Nowra at the northern end of the rugged Beecroft Peninsula. The town boasts almost as many tractors as permanent residents. These are the preferred vehicle to launch boats for fishing or SCUBA diving though a conventional 4WD will do the same job.

Abrahams Bosom Beach

The cliffs of the peninsular

The shops provide take away foods and basic groceries and the bowling club has a restaurant and regular entertainment. Picnic grounds are located adjacent to the main beach near the shops.

Abrahams Bosom is a safe sheltered beach which has picnic grounds with wood BBQs at either end.. A variety of walks start at from this sheltered cove ranging from the 500-meter stroll to the wreck of the SS Merimbula to the half-day Coomb's walk. The cliffs of the peninsular are spectacular but unfenced so be careful with young children.

A number of walks and sheltered swimming areas can be accessed from the road to Point Perpendicular. The lookout allows spectacular views of Jervis Bay. The lighthouse is a photographer's delight. Whales, dolphins and seals can often be spotted from the top of the cliffs.

Honeymoon Bay, a small heart-shaped beach on the Beecroft Peninsula is another popular visitor destination.

Excellent rock fishing is to be found all around the peninsula but like most rock fishing sites can be dangerous in big seas. If fishing or walking in isolated areas around the cliffs tell someone where you are going and please bring your rubbish out with you.

The lighthouse

Greenwell Point

Greenwell Point, a fishing village with a population of 1,200 people is nestled on the banks of the Crookhaven River 15km east of Nowra. It is famous for its fresh oysters, fish and other seafood with fresh produce being available from a number of suppliers. The towns take away and eat-in food outlets specialise in local seafood.

Boat launching facilities provide access to the river for fishing and other water activities; hire craft are available. Fishing is also popular from the wharf or riverbank. Charter boats are available for offshore fishing bottom and game fishing. The annual trout festival is held in the towns' swimming pool prior to the summer swimming season. It is a fun day for all with success almost guaranteed for even the most hopeless angler.

Rental cabin accommodation and caravan parks are readily available in Greenwell Point. The local pub and club have restaurants and often live entertainment on weekends.