FRIDAY 15 MAY: As the Huskisson sea pool reopens for its final daily laps before winter, the local calendar is heating up with a mix of high-energy festivals and quiet, creative corners. Whether you’re heading to Kangaroo Valley for a reggae session or tucking into Irish lamb shanks at Sandbar in Husky, this week celebrates the vibrant community spirit that thrives here on the South Coast.
Things to do right now
Today, the Huskisson sea pool is open after a temporary hitch in the weekly refill. The pool is open daily from 7am (except Thursdays) for a couple more weeks before it closes for the winter.
Tomorrow, spend some time with joyous art and handmade objects at the Artfulmind Gallery/Shop in Erowal Bay, featuring 20+ artists and makers curated by Dr Natalie McDonagh in her studio. RSVP to Natalie via email or DM to receive the address to visit between 11am and 4pm this Saturday 16 May. Some of the makers will be there after 2pm, and this is the last time the gallery will be open until August.
This month, we love all the mid-week dining options as part of the Autumn Celebration of Food: Taco Tuesdays at Bannisters Rooftop Bar & Grill Mollymook, $7 tacos and $15 margaritas, Wings & Whisky Wednesdays at Bannisters Rooftop Bar & Grill Mollymook, basket of wings from $20 and whisky flight from $22, Noche Mexicana Thursdays at Sandbar Restaurant Huskisson, mains from $20, micheladas & margaritas, and our pick is the Chef’s Table Thursdays at Paperbark Camp Jervis Bay, from $75—we have already booked again for next week, anticipating more unexpected ingredients, fresh flavours and the chef’s personality on the plate. The Celebration is organised by the Shoalhaven Food Network.
What Else is On Across the Region
Saturday 16 May, Local Markets: Start at the Tomerong Food Hall at 8am, where you can pick up a fantastic range of fresh food and produce with a small footprint, while supporting local growers and makers. There will be live music and great coffee till 1pm. Keep an eye out for roving artist Julie Cunningham who wants to capture video portraits of locals for the upcoming centenary of Tomerong Hall.
Head to the Clifton Gardens, in Clifton Street Sanctuary Point for their monthly fundraiser 10am-12pm with homemade pickles, chutneys and jams for sale, plus vegetables, herbs and plants and a pop-up café with coffee, homemade cakes and Devonshire teas.
Saturday 16 May, Reggae Fest is Back: The annual rasta groove and bonfire is on again at The Friendly Inn in Kangaroo Valley. Gates open at 2pm for the Kangaroo Valley Reggae Festival, with music running through to midnight. Festival-goers can enjoy Jamaican street eats, smoked BBQ, market stalls, workshops and kids’ activities, making it a genuine all-ages event. Tickets are $55 for adults, $35 for teenagers and free for children under 12. Book online and see the full lineup of musicians including The Strides, Sub-Tribe and Michael St George.
Sunday 17 May, Irish Music at Sandbar: The Jervis Bay Slow Sessions is on at 3pm at Sandbar Restaurant on Hawke Street Huskisson and everyone’s invited. Join in, all instruments and singers are welcome, and sheet music is available on the day, for a couple of hours of traditional Irish music. Chef Jason Wilkinson is preparing Irish-style lamb shanks for dinner, a perfect end to the weekend.
Wednesday 20 May, Locals Night at Taj: Every Wednesday through winter, Huskisson’s Taj Indian Restaurant is open with 10% of for locals who dine in or order takeaway. The restaurant will open from 5pm for a perfect mid-week family meal.
Saturday 23 May, Bush Potters Open: Great news for anyone who has been keen to visit the Bay & Basin Bush Potters but couldn’t make it on a Monday, the Sanctuary Point Community Arts Cottage – home to the B&B Potters – will open on Saturday from 10am. All welcome to visit the studio, meet some members and find out more about this community group.
Saturday 23 May, Dust off your Tartans: There’s no better time of year than almost-winter to dress in Highland finery to attend the Berry Celtic Festival. The highlight is undoubtedly the street parade which steps off at 9.30am in the main street, with pipe bands, community groups, entertainers and jousting horses making their way to the showground, followed by a massed band performance of 12 pipe bands and the “Call to Pipers” contingent. Pipers will be gathering from across the district, to add to the spectacle. Tickets are $20+bf for general admission and kids under 15 are free.
Sunday 24 May, Spectacular Native Gardens: One of the best-kept secrets of our region is the Shoalhaven Heads Native Botanic Garden, which is holding its annual Open Day, bbq and plant sale, in conjunction with Botanic Gardens Week. Spend some time meandering through the green space, learn about the plants from the labels and meet some of the volunteers who keep this treasure thriving for our community.
Sunday 24 May, Tea Ceremony in the Forest: Experience a nourishing Sunday morning of tea, live improvised music, and nature on a beautiful private property just 10 minutes from Huskisson. This intimate experience brings together a Zen style tea ceremony served by Jax Wechsler, alongside live improvised soundscapes by Scott Gillespie, starting at 2pm. Spend two hours sipping delicious oolong tea, served in exquisite ceramic ware, and steeping in the sounds. Tickets are $40+bf.
Sunday 24 May, Kim Sings Ella: The South Coast’s favourite entertainer, Kim Hair is performing a tribute to the First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald at a special performance in the auditorium of Coastal Waters, from 2pm, $25 at the door. The bar will be open during intermission. Kim will be accompanied by a five-piece of sensational jazz musicians, in the village off the Wool Road at Worrowing Heights.
Tuesday 26 May, National Sorry Day: First Nations people and their allies will be in Nowra’s Harry Sawkins Park from 11am- 2pm for a day of torytelling, dance, song & reflection. For safety reasons, the event will not include a walk over the bridge this year. Find out more about this day of reconciliation on the event page.
Thursday 28 May, Meet Your Peers: Bubbles Beers & Business is on at the Greenhouse co-working space from 5.30pm where you can meet and mingle with your fellow business owner from the Bay & Basin while enjoying the sunset over Huskisson. Reserve your free ticket and come up the stairs (between 5 Little Pigs and Weekend boutique on Owen Street) to enjoy the friendly and inspiring catch-up. This month’s gathering is brought to you by the Mothers’ Day Classic and Husky Bakery, raising vital funds for cancer research.
Plan Ahead—get out your diary
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.
Saturday 30 May, Dolphin Count: Coastal communities along the NSW coast will take part in the first NSW Dolphin Census, a statewide citizen science event to help map where dolphins are found across our coastline, bays and estuaries. Register with Marine Mammal Research Jervis Bay to find out more about getting involved in this vital research for our coastal ecology.
Monday 1 June, Reconciliation Week Film Festival: Three short films made by Aboriginal people on the South Coast are being screened in Reconciliation Week Film Festival, a joint event by the Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival and Shoalhaven City Council at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre from midday. Register to attend this free event, which is screening the “world premiere” of The Rock, by Luke McLeod Ebsworth that is retelling a true story told to him by his pop, Bobby McLeod.
Friday 5 June, Shoreline Exhibition: The portrait prize is a hard act to follow but the new show going up at Jervis Bay Brewing Co is going to measure up. Shoreline, curated by Randall Sinnamon and also featuring Alison Mackay and Richard Morecroft, will celebrate its opening night in conjunction with World Ocean Day, as it explores the textures, stories and remnants of our coastline. See the new works and meet the artists from 6pm in the Woollamia industrial precinct.
Saturday 6 June, Nuclear Story: A reading of Alana Valentine’s play Nucleus,
with Peter Barley & Jane Gallenca, is on for one night only at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. Inspired by the planned nuclear reactor at Murrays Beach, the play was highly commended in this year’s NSW State Premier’s Awards. Tickets are $30.
Thursday 18 June, Dinner & Paul Greene in Sussex: Inlet Cinema is the venue for a delicious dinner & show event, in Sussex Inlet from 5.30pm $45, or cheese plate & show from 6.45pm $20. The entertainment is by singer/songwriter Paul Greene, a South Coast favourite who is best known for his folk-rock, roots and soul sound. Paul has just released his long awaited 10th studio album Get Loved, marking a major milestone in a career built on authenticity, independence and powerful love connections. Book online.
