Remember that holiday in the beach shack 30-plus years ago? Relive it again at Sussex Inlet, only two and half hours from Canberra or Sydney, making it one of those holiday destinations easily in reach without major travel hassles. Read on to discover the best of coastal life in Sussex Inlet.
Breakfast
Good coffee, good food and good service can make or break your day! There are many great options for breakfast in Sussex Inlet. My pick is Little Eadie’s Café, found at the end of Jacobs Drive just before the RSL Club. Owners Shayan and Cassie have made deliberate choices with their coffee, sourcing Rush Coffee from Bowral after many meetings and meticulous tasting and testing. You will receive service with a smile, quality coffee and a great range of breakfast and lunch options with an ever-expanding menu. I personally go for the bacon, egg and cheese on Turkish bread with a hot chocolate.
Activities
With some breathtaking beaches scattered up and down the coastline of Australia, the Shoalhaven has some of the most exquisite of those beaches to visit. Cudmirrah Beach has wide sprawling spaces, running for over three kilometres, meaning you won’t have to fight for space on the sand or in the water. This beach is quiet and peaceful, it is patrolled in summer and under surveillance at other times helping to make it a safe place to swim. There is ample parking with a short walk past the surf club down to the beach front. The spot is well regarded by surfers for the clean breaks that are worth surfing.
Another of the spots that locals know about (and maybe don’t want people outside of the area to know about) is the Berrara Mermaid Pools. Located in Conjola National Park, these are among the deepest rock pools in the Shoalhaven area. To get there, visit at low tide and walk through the water at South Berrara Beach. The location is surrounded by water, beach and bushland, with no nearby buildings or roads. The pool features crystal-clear, turquoise water and a large flat rock for sunbathing, all sheltered by high rock walls. At high tide, the waves create a stunning waterfall effect over the rocks. This spot is a magical haven for nature lovers.
There are some great biking and walking tracks in Sussex Inlet and surrounds. The Thomson Street sporting complex has a learn-to-ride area with road signs, roundabouts and safe flat surfaces.
For the bigger kids there is a skate park with seating and a bbq area in the middle of large playing fields that are perfect for running around and a picnic. You can work your way from Medlyns Avenue to Cudmirrah Café or on the riverfront from Badgee Bridge to Chris Creek Bridge.
The Inlet Cinema is a beautiful venue that also hosts events in addition to latest release films. The Winter at Sussex events are held here with the stunning stage and excellent sound quality for music and films alike. The 300-seat cinema offers affordable tickets and is open every day during the school holidays. For the latest releases and session times check the website.
Lunch
A new addition is the Bean2Sussex restaurant that recently changed owners and now features a Vietnamese menu. This welcome addition to Sussex Inlet dining offers the fresh, vibrant flavours of Vietnamese cooking seven days a week for locals and visitors. Their pho bowls made with fresh noodles and fragrant broth are delicious and great value. My pick are the rice paper rolls made fresh to order with chicken, pork or prawn.
Chubby Mermaid offer fish and chips, a staple of all coastal towns!
Brewery
Swordfish Brewing in Sussex Inlet is one of the newest players on the scene with a beautiful venue right on the water, including a deck that is the place to be during the warmer months. The in-house kitchen with stunning pizza oven perfectly accompanies their near water orange and blue theme.
The Portside XPA is my pick here, true to style and an easy sessionable beer. There is a rotating guest tap menu as well to round out the offering. This is a popular location among locals due to the relaxed atmosphere.
There is live music as well as events held throughout the year including a Viking Long Lunch to support the local Viking Festival and Oktoberfest which features an oompah band. If you are looking to splash out a bit, the slow cooked lamb shoulder is delectable and pairs well with any of the beers on tap, especially the portside XPA. The hop profile balances well with the tender melt-in-your mouth lamb. This is a great option for lunch or dinner, be sure to check the website for opening times.
Dinner
Wicked Bites Pizza on Jacobs Drive opposite the RSL prepares a great range of pizza, pasta and ribs all cooked to order. Get in early if you want a phone order, they are always busy regardless the day of the week. They are fast becoming a favourite with the local community. The butcher’s block is an excellent pizza and it’s hard to go past a classic supreme!
The Sussex Inlet Bowling Club has a very good kitchen with a menu covering everything from Asian-inspired dishes to traditional club meals and well cooked steaks. The short soup with dumplings is delicious on a cold night and the special fried rice with a combination of pork, prawns and chicken is almost enough on its own!
Evening Entertainment
The Sussex Inlet RSL and Sussex Inlet Tavern put on night-time entertainment ranging from local musicians to meat raffles. The best way to keep up to date is via their website or social media.
Milton Theatre is only a 30-minute drive south of Sussex Inlet and attracts a lot of well-known names to perform in their beautiful art deco venue, including music, comedy, theatre and local productions.
Accommodation
Before becoming a local, I had holidayed to the area and stayed at Laguna Lodge. It is a family owned and operated venue right on the water. Their great set up means it can be booked ot for large groups, up to 40 people with 8 self-contained units of various configurations. There are two common areas where you can gather to enjoy the company of your travel buddies with a bbq and beverage while the kids play in the private one-acre grounds or in the private pool.
Choose your perfect balance of an active or relaxing getaway. Kayaking, boating and golfing, kid friendly paved bike and walking tracks, solar heated pool, private jetty and moorings and food options at your doorstep or within a short walk or drive. This is the perfect location to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city life and take a minute to be in a naturally beautiful waterfront area in nature. The offering isn’t just limited to groups, but can be booked for families who are looking for that perfect getaway.
Find more suggestions for where to stay at https://www.sussexinlet.nsw.au/stay
