What are the best things to do in Gerringong, New South Wales?

The best things to do in Gerringong, New South Wales, include the Boat Harbour Ocean Pool, Werri Beach, Stoic Brewing and Granties Maze.

7 best things to do in Gerringong

The best things to do in Gerringong are:

Walk the Coastal Walkway to Kiama.
Go surfing at Werri Beach.
Paddle in the shallows at the mouth of the Crooked River on Seven Mile Beach.
Go for a swim in the Boat Harbour Ocean Pool.
Look out for whales at the Gerringong Whale-Watching Platform.
Taste wines at the Crooked River wines cellar door.
Get happily lost in Granties Maze.

Where is Gerringong, NSW?

Gerringong, New South Wales, is just to the south of the better known Kiama. Indeed, the Kiama Coastal Walkway finishes in Gerringong, which has several attractions in its own right.

Beach at Gerringong, NSW — Gerringong, NSW, is an Illawarra beach town. Photo courtesy of James Horan & Destination NSW.

Things to do in Gerringong, NSW: Werri Beach and Seven Mile Beach

Driving south from Kiama along the Princes Highway, the first key attraction is Werri Beach. Backed by the Werri Lagoon, Werri Beach is a delightful spot for a surf or swim. You can also stop for fish and chips at the Werri Beach Fish Shop.

Gerringong’s most famous beach, however, is to the south of the town. Seven Mile Beach is technically in Gerroa, but don’t let pedantry put you off. Seven Mile Beach is a genuinely superb stretch of sand, which has sections along it that cater to every taste. Families tend to enjoy the shallows near the mouth of Crooked River.

Things to do in Gerringong, NSW: Boat Harbour Ocean Pool

Other things to do in Gerringong include swimming at the Boat Harbour Ocean Pool. Inside the Boat Harbour Reserve, this massive open air swimming pool is cut into the rock right by the ocean. The location is spectacular.

Just to the north of the Boat Harbour Ocean Pool is the Gerringong Whale-Watching Platform. Now Gerringong isn’t quite as good for whale-watching as the likes of Hervey Bay, Warrnambool and Head of Bight, but humpback whales are often spotted swimming past in the winter months. Try your luck between May and October.

Things to do in Gerringong, NSW: Crooked River Wine & Stoic Brewing

The Illawarra isn’t generally seen as much of a wine region, but you can go wine tasting in Gerringong. The cellar door at Crooked River Wines is open to the public, just off the Princes Highway. If beer’s more your thing, try Stoic Brewing – which also makes cider.

A little further west on the way towards Berry is Granties Maze. This started as a traditional maze, and is slowly developing into a bigger amusement park. It’s kid-friendly, with attractions such as mini-golf and remote-controlled boats.

Gerringong Falls

One attraction that’s not in Gerringong, despite the name, is Gerringong Falls. This waterfall, tumbling over the Illawarra Escarpment, is buried deep within the Budderoo National Park. It’s a 41km drive away, and doesn’t get nearly as many visitors as nearby Carrington Falls, Belmore Falls or Fitzroy Falls. This is largely because it’s hard to get to, and requires a long walk through the bush.

Where to stay in Gerringong, NSW?

The best Gerringong accommodation options are:

For two pools and a restaurant: Mercure Gerringong Resort.
For a holiday park that the kids will love: Werri Beach Holiday Park.
For overall quality: Park Ridge Retreat.

The Sydney to Gerringong drive takes around an hour and 41 minutes.

More New South Wales town and city guides