Ulladulla budget travel mostly comes down to timing and choosing sights that cost nothing. The town is a working fishing port on the NSW South Coast, and much of what makes it worth the drive is outdoors.
Below you will find what the climate figures show, where the busy dates fall, and which parks are worth ringing for rates.
The quieter months for Ulladulla budget travel
Easter is the date that draws a crowd. The Blessing of the Fleet festival has been held at Easter since 1956, with the ceremony at Ulladulla Harbour on Easter Sunday, fireworks over the water that night and the Harbour Markets on Easter Monday. If you want a lively weekend, it is the one to pick. If you want space, we reckon you should avoid it.
Beyond that, the weather helps you choose. Summer is warm and rainy, while winter is mild and somewhat drier. The figures below are for the Jervis Bay area, about 37 km from Ulladulla, using 1991-2020 averages.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days | Sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.6 | 18.8 | 73.3 | 11.5 | 28.2 |
| February | 24.1 | 18.9 | 99.5 | 12.0 | 24.6 |
| March | 22.7 | 17.6 | 84.8 | 12.6 | 27.4 |
| April | 20.6 | 15.1 | 72.8 | 10.1 | 26.9 |
| May | 18.0 | 12.5 | 70.0 | 8.2 | 27.8 |
| June | 15.7 | 10.6 | 92.9 | 9.4 | 25.2 |
| July | 15.2 | 9.4 | 59.2 | 7.5 | 28.1 |
| August | 16.4 | 9.7 | 60.2 | 6.7 | 28.7 |
| September | 18.5 | 11.5 | 51.1 | 7.8 | 27.8 |
| October | 20.2 | 13.4 | 70.1 | 9.8 | 28.2 |
| November | 21.6 | 15.2 | 77.4 | 11.3 | 27.0 |
| December | 23.2 | 17.0 | 68.2 | 11.4 | 27.8 |
What the figures suggest
August is the driest-feeling month, with about 7 rain days and 29 sunny days, and September has the lowest rainfall at 51.1 mm. Days reach 16.4 C in August and 18.5 C in September, which is cool but pleasant for walking. February is the wettest at 99.5 mm. For comfortable weather without the summer rain, September and October look good to us, and May is a fair option too.
Free and low-cost sights
The harbour is the obvious start. It is the home port of the largest commercial fishing fleet on the South Coast of New South Wales, and looking at it costs nothing. The stone pier was built by the government on the natural reef after the first wooden jetty of 1859.
Warden Head, south of the harbour, has the lighthouse that was moved there in 1889 from the harbour breakwater, where it was built in 1873. It is still active, and makes a good look-from-outside stop.
Further out, Pigeon House Mountain, now also called Didhol, and The Castle are close landmarks. Captain James Cook sighted Pigeon House on his voyage along the eastern coast. Didhol is the traditional name used by the Yuin elders. For more ideas, see our page on Ulladulla activities and attractions, and our guide to fishing around Ulladulla.
For official trip planning, Visit NSW is the state tourism site.
Tours
Our Ulladulla tours and rentals page is the place to look for operators, and it is sensible to check current prices with them before booking.
Holiday parks and lower-cost stays
Caravan and holiday parks are usually the cheaper way to stay on the coast. Each of these three offers powered sites and cabins, and you should contact the park for current rates and availability before booking.
- Discovery Parks - Burrill Lake, Ulladulla is in Burrill Lake, in Shoalhaven City Council, and is the closest of the three to town. Burrill Lake adjoins Ulladulla.
- Holiday Haven White Sands is in Huskisson, also in Shoalhaven City Council, in the Jervis Bay area.
- BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park is in Nelligen, in Eurobodalla Shire Council.
If you prefer a bed, see Ulladulla accommodation, including backpacker options.
Getting around cheaply
Ulladulla Buslines runs local services on weekdays, with a reduced service on Saturdays. Routes 740 and 740V run from Burrill Lake to Milton via Kings Point, Ulladulla, Mollymook and Narrawallee. Route 741 runs on weekdays only from Ulladulla to Kiola.
Premier Motor Service operates two daily services each way between Sydney and Eden, plus two from Bomaderry railway station that connect with NSW TrainLink. The town sits on the Princes Highway about 230 km south of Sydney, so driving is another option. From the Jervis Bay area, Sydney is 201 km, about 184 minutes by road, and Wollongong is 113 km, about 109 minutes. Our Jervis Bay destination guide covers the neighbouring area.
Frequently asked questions
When is the quietest time to visit Ulladulla?
Easter is the busiest date, because of the Blessing of the Fleet festival. The weather is mild and fairly dry from July to September.
Is there anything free to do in Ulladulla?
Yes. You can look over the harbour and its fishing fleet, and see the lighthouse at Warden Head. The mountains Didhol (Pigeon House) and The Castle are close landmarks too.
What do the holiday parks cost?
Contact the park for current rates and availability. More background is on the Wikipedia page for Ulladulla.