Gerroa

Hit the water

True to its name, Seven Mile Beach stretches over 12 kilometres of coastline from Gerroa in the north to Shoalhaven Heads in the south. Bordered by dense plant life, it provides the perfect escape into nature. From the toddler-friendly shallows of the Crooked River mouth to the gentle waves of the beach, there's no wonder it is frequently home to surf lessons, snorkelers, swimmers and windsurfers.

Crooked River, Gerroa

You can also fine-tune your skills on a board by joining lessons with Surf Camp Australia and Gerringong Surf School, all of which are based on Seven Mile Beach, which is patrolled in the warmer months. Head to the Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park to hire kayaks and glide along the glassy surface of the Crooked River, an estuary weaving north toward Gerringong.

Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa

Lace-up your walking shoes

The family-friendly Sand Track Walk runs north and south from Gerroa to Seven Mile Beach National Park. The latter sweeps around to Shoalhaven Heads along the ever-changing skyline of the coast. You can also trek along the Gerroa headland and see whales migrating along the coast between May and November or dolphins throughout the year. The local Indigenous people have called this land home for more than 20,000 years and you’ll feel the immensity of their history when you gaze out to sea from these coastal cliffs.

Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa

Celebrate a first

Most domestic airport runways in Australia today are less than four kilometres long. Seven Mile Beach almost triples that length – small wonder aviator Charles Kingsford Smith saw its potential. Here, back in 1933, the pioneer flew the first commercial flight from Australia to New Zealand. If you want to learn more, head to the Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial and Lookout where you can read about this milestone while enjoying spectacular views of the beach.

Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial and Lookout, Gerroa

Find a place to picnic

If you can’t get enough of Seven Mile Beach, make a beeline for Black Head Reserve on the northern side of Gerroa’s headland to enjoy a lofty perspective of the popular stretch of sand. Bring your pooch and a picnic – the area is pet-friendly and the grassy expanses let you lounge while gazing out to sea. From here follow tracks down to the rock platform to fish or wander to the reserve at low tide to search for fossils and shells among the rock pools.

Black Head, Gerroa

Where to stay

Gerroa is the perfect base for exploring wineries along the Shoalhaven Coast with neighbouring towns of Gerringong and Kiama just to the north. Camp, stay in self-contained cabins, or spend luxurious weekend in Gerroa's accommodation. Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park offers magnificent facilities and a range of luxury beachside accommodation, from surfshacks to cabins with spas, unpowered sites to safari tents complete with river views and clawfoot baths. For expansive views over the beach and golf course, an outdoor fire pit and plunge pool, book in to The Shed. 

The Shed, Gerroa - Credit: Luisa Brimble

Getting there

Gerroa is just a 40 minute drive from Wollongong and two hours from Sydney along the Grand Pacific Drive – one of Australia’s most legendary road trips. There are also flights available from Brisbane and Melbourne to Shellharbour, which is 32km north of Gerroa.