Food
In Wollongong, the best place to go is Diggies Café just next to North Wollongong surf club. It’s right on the beach, so is perfect for breakfast or a late lunch, but the food is also first-rate. Very friendly staff. Great location.
Once you’re on the road heading south, make sure you stop in Kiama for some fish and chips. It’s the freshest seafood you’ll find on the south-coast and, once again, great location.
Berry is another great place to stop for food. There are some great wineries that have fantastic menus if you’ve got the time. Otherwise, just stop at the Berry Hotel on the main street. It’s a great old building that will give you a real sense of life in Berry.
Drink
In Wollongong, there are two great options. Closer to town, the North Wollongong Hotel is great for a beer and steak and a night out thereafter. It’s very casual with a sprawling beer garden. Mid-summer, it gets packed on weekends with a young, beachy crowd.
Of an afternoon, head up through the northern suburbs and you’ll come to the Mainland Hotel in Austinmer. Perched on a cliff-top, the Mainland offers a unique view of the south coast. They have a beer garden and a dining room. It’s a great spot to while away an afternoon with a couple of mates.
Further south, the Ocean Beach Hotel in Shellharbour is a local landmark. Wonderful ocean views and a sunny deck make it worth a look on your way through. This part of Shellharbour is worth visiting, so while you’re there, you may as well have a beer.
Once you’ve made it all the way to Jervis Bay, you’ll be thirsty. So head into Huskisson and pull up a stool at the Husky Pub. It’s a great spot, right in the middle of town. It’s a sprawling building with a decking and a dining room. And Huskisson is small enough for you to walk home.
