Detour - Daytrip to Berry

With an errand to run in Berry, a cute little country town two and a half hours south of Sydney, I decided to make a day of it and show a recently arrived English friend some of the Australian Coast.

We drove straight down on the main freeway arriving before lunch in the rolling green hills around the township.  A little pottering around the shops, and a visit to the aptly name Treat Factory (yes, it has chocolates and sweets but the real treats are the Indian sauces, pasta sauces, jams and teas. I came home with plenty of goodies, my recommendation is the Pear and Tomato Relish - and you can order online!).

After a leisurely lunch in one of the many cafes, we drove for half an hour to the Blowhole in Kiama. This natural formation has been mesmerizing visitors since 1797. The rough seas made for a spectacular sight, but the wind was strong so bring a jacket! I was surprised at the people still climbing the rocks, with young children in arms, disregarding all the safety warnings and the obvious violent waves tumbling over the rocks. Do stick to the paths, tourists have been lost to the sea on a number of occasions.

From there we followed the Grand Pacific Drive back to Sydney, and after an hour stopped at the Scarbourgh Hotel for a coffee in their stunning clifftop beer garden. Even with the storm clouds approaching, it's a lovely spot to relax in, and has been since 1886. 

A quick drive from there is the Sea Cliff Bridge, a 665 metre bridge that hugs the coastline. We parked near Coalcliff station and walked the length of the bridge and back. It's beautiful to drive on, and to walk on the wide pedestrian path.

A few minutes later, we stopped at Bald Hill Lookout, the perfect spot for views back onto the Sea Cliff Bridge. 

Then it was home through the Royal National Park, a winding tree-lined drive in the second oldest national park in the world, established in 1879. A quick stop at Audley to see the dance hall, built in 1949 - if you do the drive in reverse, there's a boat shed if you want to have a paddle on the river.

We left Sydney at 8am and returned home at 6pm, so it's a big day, with roughly 5 hours in the car, but the views are stunning and the drive is easy with much variation in the type of scenery. Well worth taking the time with the family or for visitors from abroad.

Practicalities:

Berry: http://berry.org.au/

The Treat Factory: http://www.treatfactory.com.au/

Kiama Blowhole:
http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/kiama-area/kiama/attractions/kiama-blowhole

Scarborough Hotel: http://www.thescarboroughhotel.com.au/

Sea Cliff Bridge:
http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/wollongong-and-surrounds/stanwell-park/attractions/sea-cliff-bridge

Bald Hill Lookout:
http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/wollongong-and-surrounds/stanwell-park/attractions/bald-hill-lookout

Grand Pacific Drive: http://www.grandpacificdrive.com.au/

Audley Dancehall: http://www.audleydancehall.com.au/

Royal National Park: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/royal-national-park

Further reading:

Kiama in Pictures

Grand Pacific Drive 

or keep driving and stay in Culburra 

Linking with #WaterThursday