Rivers, lakes, bays and open ocean all meet along the New South Wales South Coast, and that is what makes it such good country for time on the water. This page maps those waterways and the listed tours that bring you to the shoreline.
If you are weighing up South Coast cruises, treat this as a starting point. Check current sailings, times and prices with operators before you book, and use our tours and activities pages to fill out the rest of the trip.
The waterways behind South Coast cruises
The South Coast is the narrow coastal belt running from the Shoalhaven district in the north to the Victorian border in the south. To the east lies the Pacific Ocean, and the coastline is a mix of rolling farmland, small towns and villages, a rocky shore, and numerous beaches and lakes. Behind it rises the coastal escarpment of the Southern Tablelands.
Several named waters turn up across the region. The Shoalhaven River runs past Bomaderry, where the railway line ends on the northern side of the river. Jervis Bay sits in the north, with Jervis Bay National Park alongside it. The Clyde River meets the sea at Batemans Bay, and Narooma and Eden are also coastal towns. Lake Conjola is among the lake settlements of the Shoalhaven.
A little boating history
Boats were once the main link here. The Illawarra Steam Navigation Company carried passengers and goods along the South Coast and Illawarra by ship from the 1850s to the 1950s.
Roads came late. Road links north to Sydney were only completed in the second half of the twentieth century, when the Clyde River was bridged at Batemans Bay in 1956. Before that, a punt crossed the river. The bridge at Narooma, completed in 1931, was the first major bridge built on the Princes Highway by the Main Roads Board.
Listed tours that reach the coast
These are road-based days and a guided walk rather than boat tours, but they follow the shoreline and suit a day beside the water. Prices are the starting figures.
| Tour | Length | From |
|---|---|---|
| Jervis Bay Highlights Tour, small group | 10 to 12 hours | AUD 245 |
| South Coast, Waterfals, Tempels, Kiama private tour | 8 to 9 hours | AUD 743.25 |
| 3 Day Murramarang Coast Journey | 3 days | AUD 1950 |
The Jervis Bay day leaves Sydney and covers waterfalls, lookouts and three beaches. It crosses Sea Cliff Bridge, looks for whales and dolphins from clifftops, visits the Kiama Blowhole and finishes at Cave Beach, where kangaroos roam freely. It is also the cheapest of the lot. The Murramarang trip is a guided walk along the shoreline, staying in beachside cabins within the National Park, with meals and accommodation included.
Other options include the Private Kiama and South Coast Tour from Sydney (11 hours, from AUD 1449) and the South Coast Private Daily Group Tour (7 to 8 hours, from AUD 1255.5). Browse the full set on our South Coast tours page.
When the weather suits time on the water
The region has a mild, warm temperate climate. Summer highs reach around 27 degrees in January, and July is the coolest month with a maximum of about 15 degrees. July and August are also the sunniest, with about 28 sunny days each. February is the wettest of the warmer months at 124.3 mm.
| Month | Max C | Min C | Rain mm | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.0 | 18.2 | 86.5 | 11.6 | 24.6 |
| February | 25.9 | 18.4 | 124.3 | 12.7 | 22.1 |
| March | 24.1 | 17.2 | 100.6 | 12.7 | 25.1 |
| April | 21.6 | 14.8 | 76.8 | 10.1 | 26.5 |
| May | 18.5 | 12.2 | 76.2 | 9.0 | 27.6 |
| June | 15.7 | 10.3 | 116.2 | 10.2 | 25.5 |
| July | 15.1 | 9.0 | 66.7 | 7.8 | 28.1 |
| August | 16.1 | 9.2 | 70.7 | 7.1 | 28.4 |
| September | 18.7 | 10.9 | 59.5 | 8.1 | 27.3 |
| October | 21.3 | 12.8 | 75.6 | 9.7 | 26.4 |
| November | 23.2 | 14.6 | 85.6 | 11.7 | 23.9 |
| December | 25.3 | 16.4 | 73.5 | 10.9 | 24.6 |
Rain can be erratic. Heavy storms may fall at any time of year, most often in late autumn and early winter. We would keep a day or two spare in the plan for any outdoor booking.
Getting there and staying close to the water
By road, the South Coast is about 183 km and roughly 171 minutes from Sydney, and 95 km from Wollongong. Jervis Bay is 47 km away, about 60 minutes. The Princes Highway runs through the region, and the Kings Highway links it to Canberra.
Two parks sit near the water. Holiday Haven White Sands is in Huskisson and offers powered sites and cabins. Discovery Parks - Gerroa is at Gerroa, also with powered sites and cabins. More choices are on our South Coast accommodation page, and the official state site, Visit NSW, is a sensible place to check current operators. Background on the region is also on Wikipedia.
Frequently asked questions
Which South Coast tour is cheapest?
The Jervis Bay Highlights Tour is listed from AUD 245 for a 10 to 12 hour day from Sydney.
How far is the South Coast from Sydney?
About 183 km by road, or roughly 171 minutes. See our South Coast activities page for ideas once you arrive.
When is the sunniest time to visit?
July and August, with about 28 sunny days each month.
