7 Wild Shoalhaven Adrenaline Adventures

For many of us, the idea of a holiday by the sea is one of book reading, lazing and grazing, or perhaps a leisurely dip. But if you prefer your vacationing with a dollop of adrenaline, there are some great ways to get your fix on the NSW South Coast! Allow us to share just a few of them…

1: NSW Treetops Adventure

WILD RATING: 5/10 – Good things come in trees…

There’s nothing quite like getting up off the ground and seeing the world from a whole new perspective, right? One of the easiest and most fun ways to do this is at NSW Treetops Adventure in North Nowra. Open to the public in almost any weather (rain or shine), this course offers challenging obstacles for all ages (3 to 75+) that will see you “leaping and swinging, climbing and flying” through the forest setting that includes ropes and zip lining. You’ll also get a discount for the adjacent Shoalhaven Zoo – making it a true nature-lovers day out!

2: Get FAT

WILD RATING: 5/10 – Beach, please!

Culburra Beach is a long sandy expanse that attracts coast lovers of all types. And with Burra Bike and Board Hire, you can add cycling to that mix! Their self-guided tour suggests around 3-4 hours for a round trip (“depending on swims”!) and will see you take to the silica with their purpose-designed ‘fat-tyre’ bikes for a comfortable and fun ‘off road’ experience. The tour takes in the broad arc of Culburra Beach at low tide, with Crookhaven Heads providing cultural and historic highlights. The most fun you can have on two wheels!

3: Go out on a climb

WILD RATING: 6/10 – A natural high!

The Shoalhaven is famous for its many open-air cliffs and you can hit up a bunch of local providers such as Climb Nowra or Outdoor Raw to help harness both yourself and the power of this natural setting. Alternatively, for an all-weather fun climbing adventure, Indoor Climb South Coast offers precisely that – based in Huskisson and featuring a dizzying array of top rope climbing, bouldering and even caving zones as well as a 40-degree spray wall, gym rings and other fun for adults and kids.

4: Boom netting Jervis Bay

WILD RATING: 6/10 – Hold on tight!

Jervis Bay is well known for its sheltered marine playground – but why spend your day admiring it from shore when you can take to the blue sea and enjoy a dolphin cruise that includes a thrilling ‘boom net’ experience.  Boom netting is a popular summer water activity (December to April) that involves sitting in a strong cargo-style net secured to the rear of a boat for an adventurous drag-ride through the ocean – often attracting (but not guaranteed) bottlenose dolphins to swim beside you as you’re safely towed through the water. A great experience for all ages and abilities!

5: Cliffnicking

WILD RATING: 7/10 – Live on the edge!

If you’ve ever marvelled at a window washer casually sitting on their platform outside a tall building, this could be the experience for you. The unique brainchild of Outdoor Raw South Coast Adventures, the ‘cliffnic’ is precisely what it sounds like – a combination of ‘cliff’ and ‘picnic’! We already know that the Shoalhaven just happens to have some fantastic cliff faces, and this dining adventure allows you to enjoy a whole new side of them. With all locations within a 30-minute drive of Nowra, it won’t be long before you’re sampling some local produce while dangling safely over usually inaccessible landscapes. Choose from standard cliffnicking or go premium for hot food and more remote locations!

6: Swim with the whales/dolphins/seals

WILD RATING: 8/10 (higher if you see a whale!) – surreal and magical! 

Between May and November each year, the coast off the Shoalhaven becomes a virtual highway for whales, first heading north before returning (often with calves) later in the year. Watching this spectacle from a boat (or on a net) is one thing, but being IN the water is quite something else. Dive Jervis Bay and Woebegone Dive & Snorkel both operate from Huskisson and provide experienced and professional snorkelling and free diving tours beneath the surface that are “absolutely insane”. An unforgettable experience!

7: Skydive the South Coast

WILD RATING: 10/10 – 15,000 reasons to love it!

For this final serving of adrenaline, you could hardly get further from under the sea than hopping in a plane and launching yourself into the sky from 15,000 feet! Just a short drive north to Shellharbour, five-star-rated Bigwave Skydive has more than a quarter of a century’s worth of expertise in hurling out of planes for fun. Conveniently lifting off from Shellharbour Airport, you’ll be taking in the jaw-dropping, cheek-wobbling scenery in no time – enjoying the sparkling coastline, new marina and 360 degree views all the way down the coast. The team also pride themselves on providing brilliant video and photographic evidence of your jump so you can relive it for years to come! If you’ve always wanted to do it, THIS is the place…