Chasing the wind at Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa.
Windsurfers loving Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa, NSW, Australia.
Tired of Sydney and looking for a weekend getaway or a week or two? Not too far, but far enough that you feel a world away from the big city? Longing for a beautiful beach?, rolling green country hills?, a cute country town with some quality dining options? Perhaps a bit of wine tasting? Gerroa with the beautiful Seven Mile Beach is a mere two and a half hour’s drive from Sydney, five minutes from Gerringong and ten minutes from Berry.
The thing about Gerroa is there is nothing much there except one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia and holiday houses on the headland. But Gerroa has some hidden trasures too. A very good Cafe, a Fishermans Club with amazing coastal views and a quality Bistro, a general store, a takeaway and a couple of caravan parks. Coastal bliss!
At Gerroa it is about enjoying the environment. The beach is long. It stretches all the way to Shoalhaven Heads. Walking along the beach, you soon leave behind the daytrippers and the surf school. You are alone with the ocean, the fine white sand and your thoughts. Swim, surf, chill and do it all again.
A day at the beach, Gerroa, NSW, Australia.
The waves in Gerroa are kid friendly small but good enough in sections for surfing particularly with a long board. The water is refreshing. On a summer afternoon the wind gets up and provides the perfect conditions for kitesurfers and wind surfers. The colourful sails are a sight to savour from your balcony as you sit back with a book and enjoy your view down the beach.
The house I have rented is on the headland facing south west and the sunsets make leaving to go out for dinner impossible. So its cocktails and champagne and a barbecue on the balcony. Life does’t get much better.
Awesome fun Windsurfing at Gerroa, NSW, Australia.
There are options if the barbecue isn’t for you. The Blue Swimmer Cafe or The Fisho’s Club Bistro.
The Blue Swimmer Cafe is delightful breakfast, lunch or dinner. Its only small so you must book. Everything is done with love and the menu is a reflection of what the cafe restaurant chef does best. Expect honest fresh seafood dishes and delightful slow cooked shoulder of lamb. There is a small selection of local produce showcased with care. The cafe is licensed but offer BYO midweek. They also offer great takeaway fish and chips – and very importantly an excellent cappoccino!
The best bar is the one you open yourself at Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa, NSW, Australia.
The Fisho’s Club at the top of the hill offers an outstanding view of the coast. The Bistro offers all the regular dishes that are the staple of club fare, from your chicken schnitzel to steaks, but they also offer good fresh seafood. All at club prices, cheap drinks and that view!
Staying in Gerroa particularly in summer requires booking well in advance. There are really two choices – Renting a holiday house or staying at a caravan park. Houses are not inexpensive at any time of the year but for me it really is offset by the eatin factor cost wise. (e.g.. not spending extra money on eating and drinking out.) The caravan parks offer camping, caravans and cabins so there are cheaper alternatives. Seven Mile Beach Caravan Park has sites on the beachside and for location that is my pick. The cabins are nice too. Its just a short stroll via a bush track to the beach.
Windsurfing Gerroa, NSW, Australia.
Windsurfing heaven, Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa, NSW, Australia.
When you need a break from the beach or to do some shopping,( therapy or grocery), you can choose from the coastal town of Gerringong or the cute country town of Berry. I love Berry. It has a big main street and lots of holiday shops. Think antiques and homewares. Importantly here is where you will find excellent sour dough bakeries, a good butchers and a shops that source the regions best deli products.
Berry also has some great cafes. My favourite Cafe is attached to one of the sourdough bakeries. The Berry Sourdough Cafe uses the woodfire oven to produce some really interesting dishes.
Berry has two very good restaurants, The Hungry Duck and South on Albany. Both are excellent and good value. The Hungry Duck combines Asian flavours with farm fresh local produce and the banquet is delicious. And if you are wondering, Duck does feature on the menu! South on Albany offers more regular restaurant fare with a regional focus and done with the best execution. Neither has disappointed on the occasions I have visited.
What break would be complete without tasting some of the local wine? Crooked River Winery sits just out of town from Gerringong. A 7 minute drive from Gerroa and is a great place for some wine and beer tasting and a long lunch. The restaurant has a lovely view over the vineyard and green hills of the Shoalhaven. In particular the sparkling Rose was a standout as was the craft beer lager from Uncle Joe’s Brew.
Magical Sunsets at Gerroa. Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa, NSW, Australia.
But I’am already missing Seven Mile beach and that view from my balcony. Its time to head back to Gerroa for some quality time relaxing in the sun with that view.
STAY
To rent a holiday house in Gerroa I use South Coast Holidays or Stayz. To stay at Seven Mile Beach Caravan Park Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park or Gerroa Discovery Holiday Park.
FOOD
In Gerroa I dine at Blue Swimmer Cafe or The Gerroa Fishermans Club.
In Berry The Hungry Duck or South On Albany or Berry Sourdough Cafe.
WINE & BEER
Pick up some local wine and beer at Crooked River Winery.