FRIDAY 17 APRIL: Now that the school holiday rush has eased, our coastal villages are returning to a familiar, quieter rhythm. It is the perfect time to slow down and reconnect with the community. This weekend, we’re leaning into the local pace—supporting our growers at the markets, crate-diving at the brewery, or finding a moment of stillness in the forest.
Saturday 18 April-Monday 27 April, Count the Sea Slugs: Calling all Citizen Scientists to take part in the Jervis Bay Sea Slug Census. Organised by iNaturalist, the aim is to get as many people in the water with eyes on the incredible diversity of these creatures. Upload your images and locations, no need to identify the specific creature but that is a bonus if you can, and the community should be able to help with the identifications.
Saturday 18 April, You Spin Me: The Festival of Vinyl is back at Jervis Bay Brewing Co where you can trade the digital for the analogue across every musical genre. Start your crate-diving around midday over in the Woollamia industrial precinct and wash down your thirst – and the dust off those old gems – with a cold one as the show wraps up around 5pm. Spinning the vinyl will be DJ Dusty Knuckles on the decks.
Saturday 18 April, Fresh Food Market: The Tomerong Food Hall is on from 8am in the community hall, with an abundance of autumn harvest including garlic from Sassafras, olives, pickles, gin and fresh produce. Support local producers, keep your footprint small and don’t forget your shopping basket.
Saturday 18 April-Sunday 19 April, Nut Harvest: The last of the short season of chestnuts is ready for harvest at Sassafras Nuts this weekend, where $5 at the farm gate gives you access to the beautiful orchard. Wear gloves, and don’t forget a long-sleeve jacket as the days are cooling down up there on the ridge. Take home your haul for $12/kg or keep it simple with pre-packaged nuts available for purchase.
Sunday 18 April, Fungi Foray: This event is almost sold out, so if you have always wondered about the weird and wonderful fruits of the mysterious underground network, act now! For $25/$10 you will be guided by an expert through the forest identifying stinkhorns, puffballs and earth stars —the often-overlooked organisms quietly shaping our landscapes. No mushrooms will be collected or eaten.
Sunday 19 April, Sunday Sessions Live Music: Start your Sunday swayin’ with the high-energy fusion of gritty blues and swampy stomps and southern funk of Horse Drawn Cadillac. There’s a reason why this many-piece band is a hot favourite on the South Coast, so head to Cupitt’s Estate in Ulladulla from 12:30pm and find out why for yourself. We first saw these guys quite a few year ago at El Horses while they were recording a live album and we were instantly hooked on their smoky, swampy sound.
If you love the sweet spot between R&B, pop and acoustic favourites performed with a rich, expressive voice, then head to Flamin Galah brew-pub in the Woollamia industrial estate to hear Blessie Pica, from 3pm. Her warm, soulful voice will pair perfectly with an afternoon drink from 3pm.
For a taste of the best singer/songwriter sessions of the 80s and 90s, you can’t beat Jeremy Butterworth at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co Taproom from 3pm. Jeremy evokes the indie rock band feel of the era when the Red Eye Records label was at its peak in Australia, perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
Celebrate sunset on the rooftop at Bannisters Pavilion in Mollymook with the sweet indie pop sounds of our favourite South Coast duo, The Castaways. The hot-pink sunsets of these Autumn days will create a spectacular backdrop for cocktail hour to wrap up your weekend in style.
Sunday 19 April, Wellness Reset: For those of us who prefer a wellness session to a music session, to wrap up the weekend, we have you covered.
Tea & Tones: Sunday morning offers a reset of a different kind with Tea and Tones, in the forest at Falls Creek. A tea ceremony served by Jax Wechsler alongside live improvised soundscapes by Scott Gillespie will transport you to a space where you can listen more deeply. From 10.30am for two hours, $40 including tea served in exquisite ceramic ware.
Yin Yoga: On the fringe of a paperbark forest you will find a peaceful space to slow down, release tension, and reset the nervous system, in the Melaleuca venue at Worrowing Farm. Using props for support, hold gentle, restful postures that encourage deep relaxation and stillness, from 4pm $25.
Sound Bathing: For a different kind of stillness and deep rest, indulge in a sound bath by expert practitioner Jen Freeman at The Nest, the wellness studio at the Bay & Bush nature retreat in Woollamia. Allow your body to feel the sound waves and vibrations created by crystal singing bowls, rain sticks and chimes, from 4pm $29.
Thursday 23 April, Movie Night for Cancer Research: Buy a ticket to a special screening of romcom, You, Me & Tuscany for $25 in support of the Mothers Day Classic, raising funds for cancer research. Sponsored by Husky Bakery, your ticket includes a drink and a treat plus entry into a lucky door prize. The team behind the Huskisson fundraising promises a fun night starting at 6.30pm (film starts at 7pm).
Thursday 23 April, Vincentia History: Vincentia Matters is hosting an evening of Vincentia History at the Community Hub on Burton St Mall, next door to Captain Pizza. Guest speakers will share their stories of times and places past in Vincentia with loads of photos and memorabilia to share. From 5.30pm, this free community gathering will delve into days gone by.
Friday 24 April, Post Social Bands at Tomerong Hall: Two top tier songwriters from the Illawarra and their bands promise a night of musical brilliance, a lot of fun and dancing. The Post Social Experiment, led by Steve Robinson on guitar, trumpet , piano and voice, with Tim Ritchie on bass and Rob Laurie on drums, is all about physical presence (no devices) to see what kind of social activity occurs. They will be joined by The Overnight Lows led by Andy Ophee and traversing alt country, folk and blues, with Tim Ritchie on bass, Rob Laurie on keys and accordion, John Bonner guitar and Sue Bonner on drums. Tickets are $25 and the music starts at 7pm.
Saturday 25 April, ANZAC Service: Everyone is invited to attend the annual commemorative occasion to recognise our service men and women on ANZAC Day. Huskisson RSL sub-branch president Nickolas Skow says people participating in the march can fall in from 10am in Hawke Street Huskisson, alongside White Sands Park, with the march commencing at 10.30am down to Voyager Park. At 11am, there will be a service in the park, where all may attend to pay their respects. Please note there will be road closures at Hawke Street, Owen Street, Sydney Street and Currambene Street from before 10am till the completion of the march.
Sunday 26 April, Huskisson Artisans Market: The first Huskisson Artisans Market for the year – this is a celebration of makers, artists and providores at the Huskisson Community Centre, 10am-3pm, featuring hand crafted items from jewellery and textiles to ceramics and small-batch specialty foods and beverages. The Artfulmind pop-up gallery/shop is a unique centrepiece of the event, curated by Dr Natalie McDonagh and showcasing a dozen of the South Coast’s finest makers. These markets are designed by artisans, for artisans to offer the community a wonderful opportunity to meet the makers and support independent artisans. Stallholders can apply till 23 March.
Sunday 26 April, Youth Music Fest: Vincentia Village Square will come alive with Burton St. Beats, a youth‑led music festival from 2pm-6pm as part of Youth Week and in conjunction with youth organisation, Firefly Bay & Basin. This free, youth‑focused festival will showcase emerging talent from across the Bay & Basin – offering young performers a rare opportunity to share original music, gain real stage experience, and connect with their community.
Sunday 26 April, Cello in the Valley: Hear the exquisite solo cello of Rachel Scott performing music composed by Martin Wesley-Smith at the Kangaroo Valley Hall presented by Arts in the Valley. Enjoy a refreshment from 5.30pm before the music starts at 6pm. Tickets are $40.
Plan Ahead – we’ve got your social life covered
Tuesday 28 April, Hospo Industry Night: Tickets to the highly anticipated annual hospitality industry night to launch the Autum Celebration of Food are now available for $95. This industry-only event is a rare chance for the region’s hospo talent to socialise while enjoying service from the students in the Gaining Through Training program. Hosted at Bollerang House in Wandandian, the evening will showcase around 25 members of the Shoalhaven Food Network. Book online.
Wednesday 29 April, Bundanon Free Entry: Residents of the Shoalhaven and pension card holders are welcome to visit the Bundanon Art Museum for free on the last Wednesday of the month. The gallery is open 10am-4pm and the current exhibitions include Sky, Earth Water featuring Rosalie Gascoigne’s large-scale assemblages which centre on the resonances between found industrially-produced materials and the Australian landscape, alongside First Nations artists Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Janet Fieldhouse and Glenda Nicholls.
Friday 1 May-Sunday 3 May, Jazz in Milton: The second annual Milton Folk Jazz and Blues Festival will be a celebration of music, community and culture. The festival weaves through Milton town and its parks, pubs and establishments over three days, including 70 free performances at over 20 venues throughout the town. See the program and make your plans.
Friday 1 May-Monday 16 June, Foodie Festivities: The annual Autumn Celebration of Food has launched the major dining events in the 2026 program, with fanfare for the team at Shoalhaven Food Network and its members at a special launch this week. The seven-week foodie extravaganza includes hatted chefs, special locations, street festivals, and more. See our story on the hot tickets on sale now.
Saturday 2 May, Learn to Paint Still Life: Manyana-based artist Wilma Southern will teach an art class, Contemporary Flower Painting, hosted by the Shoalhaven Art Society. In this full-day workshop, Wilma will show you how to layer colour with fearless energy to move beyond the traditional still life format. Book online for $90/$80 includes morning tea, at The Hub, shop 14 Vincentia Village on Burton Street.
Thursday 7 May, First Nations Films in Sussex: The Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival is coming to Sussex Inlet Cinema, with a great day of films screening across three sessions. There’s a morning session for primary school students starting with a screening of Like My Brother and including lunch and a cultural experience by Gadhungal Marring, which is put on free thanks to the Sussex Inlet Chamber of Commerce and Neighbourhood Centre. The afternoon screening, from 1.30pm and costing $25 includes two films, afternoon tea and a cultural experience. The evening screening is from 4.30pm, $25 including a drink and cheese platter. Find out more from the SFNFF social page.
Thursday 7 May, Writers Group: Shoalhaven Libraries is hosting a new Writers’ Group on the first and third Thursdays, from today. If you are working on a story, poem, novel, memoir, or anything in between, register your interest in joining a relaxed, casual group of local writers who want to connect, share ideas, and support each other on their writing journeys. Seasoned writers and beginners are welcome at Nowra Library, 3pm-5pm. Register your interest in this free group to LibraryMedia@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.
Sunday 10 May, Mother’s Day Classic: One for your diary: the annual Mother’s Day Classic, the nationwide event that raises funds for breast and ovarian cancer research, is turning 10 in Huskisson this year. There will be 3km, 5km or 10km walks/ runs as well as family-friendly events in and around White Sands Park. Get in early, register your participation and start hitting up your family and friends for support.
Sunday 10 May, Mums’ Yoga Special: A special 2-hour yin yoga class is the perfect way to commemorate the mother figures in our lives. Guided by Mary Basler, slow down and work with your heart meridian, which governs love, joy and connection, and the lung meridian which handles grief, letting go and self-protection. Held in the Melaleuca venue at Worrowing Farm, the session starts at 3pm and is $45.
Saturday 23 May, Autumn Degustation: Fair warning, these events sell out fast. Old Salt Distillery, restaurant & bar is hosting its Autumn Degustation event where diners can experience the delights created by two fine-dining chefs – Michelle & Terry Robinson – in a menu that celebrates local produce (advise dietary requirements at time of booking). Choose your dinner ticket for $185 or with matched drinks for $250.
Saturday 30 May, Make Pasta – Kids and Adults Options: The pasta experts in the heart of Huskisson, Pasta Buoy are inviting you behind the scenes to help make fresh pasta, with a kids’ event starting at 10.30am, $45 and adults’ session at 2pm, $89. Roll up your sleeves and roll out the pasta sheets in this hands-on event that includes some delicious pasta and sauce to take home.
