Explore Berry
2023 NSW Top Small Tourism Town Winner [population between 1500 and 5000 residents]
Berry is one of the most charming historic towns in all of NSW and aren’t we the luckiest to have it right at our fingertips?!
With so many cute shops, tasty eats and historic buildings, it’s super easy to while away a day or three here.
Berry is the place you bring out-of-town rello’s or that date you’re trying to impress because…..well, it’s Berry!
Here’s The Fold’s guide to this wonderful little town serving up so much to do, see, eat, shop and explore.
GREAT OUTDOORS
Just a few minutes’ drive from downtown, Drawing Room Rocks is a challenging hike that rewards you with some of the most jaw-dropping views of the South Coast. This walk is a bit of a toughie, so come prepared and make sure to keep an eye on the weather apps. It can get slippery in wet weather so it’s best to keep away when there’s been rain.
Driving 10 minutes east of Berry, you will find Seven Mile Beach National Park. This beach spans all the way from Gerroa in the north down to Shoalhaven Heads. It is the perfect destination for bushwalks, bird-watching, picnics, swimming and surfing.
And here’s a Fun Fact! The area of beach that you can access from Beach Picnic Road is actually known to locals as “Berry’s Beach”.
RETAIL THERAPY
Queen St is the main drag of Berry and is packed with fantastic shops and boutiques.
For unique, hand-picked, stylish clothes for both men and women check out the Berry Barn. Few and Far is an excellent choice for homewares sourced thoughtfully from around the globe. Milkwood Home is a homewares and lifestyle store with some of the most beautiful goods around and for the cycling enthusiasts among us, head to Berry Mountain Cycles for all your two-wheeled needs.
On the streets that intersect with Queen St, you can also find some true gems. Shady Fig is a bespoke flower shop whose arrangements have appeared in lots of famous glossy mags, and Haven & Space is a literal treasure trove of stylish homewares at affordable prices.
And for the young, and young at heart, Goldfish Toy Shop has tons of quality toys and games, to keep the whole family entertained.
WINING AND DINING
For a small town, Berry packs a punch in the dining scene.
Milkwood Bakery in the centre of town is the place to go for tasty sourdough and eye-dazzling cakes, pastries and savouries. For a top-notch cup of java head to iv coffee or to enjoy a wholesome brunch [or lunch and dinner] or to get your burger fix, The Hungry Monkey on Prince Alfred St is where to stop.
The Berry Tea Shop has a massive and magnificent menu of teas to have in or take home. We recommend making a booking for a table and pairing your cuppa with one of their scrummy scones or cakes.
The Berry Hotel is where you can get your classic yet classy pub feed or if you’re feelin’ fancy make a reservation at South on Albany. Boasting a Chef’s Hat from the Australian Good Food Guide and an ever-changing menu, this restaurant is worth the drive alone.
And for an award-winning winery with delicious food and cosy accommodation, take some time to visit Silos Estate.
Or if you’re more partial to the juniper berry than the grape then head over to Tara Distillery to sip some gin or whisky at their weekend tasting room and bar.
Next to the tasting room you’ll also find the super cool coworking space, WorkLife – talk about a prime location for Friday arvo knock-off drinkies.
For the sweet tooths among us, Berry Chocolatier has the most indulgent handcrafted choccies and Il Locale Gelato will have you licking your lips all day. You can’t go past Berry Donut Van for those hot cinnamon morsels [just be prepared to line up, because these guys are popular] and The Treat Factory On Old Creamery Lane, is an essential visit for any foodie.
STEP BACK IN TIME
Learn all about the history of the town, including its original inhabitants, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation and Alexander Berry, who pioneered European settlement in the area, with a visit to Berry Museum, which is open on weekends and public holidays.
To get moving and learning at the same time, download a copy of the Berry Historical Walking Trail. Available from the Berry Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Website. This map is an interactive self-guided tour of many of the important historical locations around the town. You can even download an audio guide to take with you and get the full experience.
JUST FOR KIDS
Opened at the start of 2022, Boongaree Rotary Nature Play Park is the ultimate play park for kids of all ages. It has everything you expect from a great play area and more! Think giant climbing nets, flying foxes and an adorable learn-to-ride space for the little ones. They have BBQs and picnic areas so you can make a whole day of it. There’s even a bike track and skate park for the bigger kids, so good luck trying to get the family to leave at the end of the day.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The Berry Show has been running for a whopping 136 years and is a huge event for the town with all those classic country show events we love.
Berry Celtic Festival in May is unmissable. With a street parade of pipers in traditional kilts, adorable Scottish terrier dogs, highland dancing and most excitingly medieval knights and their jousting battle, this is 100% fun. Check out the program on the Berry Rotary Club site for all the info.
There’s plenty of fabulous markets in Berry, starting with Berry Markets on the first Sunday of the month at Berry Showground. It usually has around 200 stalls selling all the homewares, lifestyle goodies and excellent produce.
You’ll also find the Berry Farmers Market every Thursday afternoon at the showground, and the Berry Village Markets at Berry Bowling Club on the fourth Sunday of every month.
Grab your baskets and get your country market on!
WHAT’S NEARBY
You’ll find a handful of fantastic wineries close by to Berry – yay!
Two Figs Winery has a great selection of cool-climate wines and tasty cheese platters, Crooked River Wines, boasts a cellar door, restaurant, stunning views and awesome events and Coolangatta Estate hosts Grand Hall Banquets that are a whole night out.
Close to Berry is the town of Gerringong, a gorgeous seaside village that oozes laidback coastal charm. With excellent cafes, one-of-a-kind boutiques and insta-worthy rockpools for swimming.
SUPPORTING LOCAL BIZ
There are some fab local businesses in Berry, and our Business Directory is the place to find them! From mechanics to medical centres, landscapers to legal services, beauty salons to builders… The Fold’s Business Directory has got you covered.
