25 of the best things to do in and near Culburra Beach, NSW
Crookhaven Heads. ©
Want to avoid hordes of tourists at other overhyped beach holiday destination spots? Culburra Beach, east of the bustling central hub of Nowra, is an underrated gem of the NSW South Coast, ideal for anyone seeking a quintessential, quaint Aussie beach holiday.
By Esta Pinto.
Here are a few notable things about the place you might find interesting:
First and foremost, it’s an important place for the Jerrinja Wandi Wandian people and has a rich cultural history.
Secondly, it’s got something for everyone. From scenic beginner hikes and dog-friendly beaches to eateries, cocktail bars and lawn bowls (most country towns need a bowlo, amirite?), this twee town is most definitely filled with classic NSW south coast beach charm.
Therefore you may be wondering what the best things to do in Culburra Beach are. For this reason, I compiled a comprehensive list of what to do both in Culburra Beach and near Culburra Beach. Mix and match based on your interests and length of stay, or if you’ve got more time, you lucky devil, explore all of the following suggestions.
Before we begin, I wish to acknowledge Brinja-Yuin, Budawang, Jerrinja, Murramarang, Walbunja, Wandandian, Wodi Wodi, Yuin and Yuin-Monaro people as the traditional owners of the South Coast NSW/Yuin country and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. I honour the uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, skies and waterways, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement. I honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands.
Best things to do in Culburra Beach.
Here are a few cool places to check out if you’re in the neighbourhood.
Places to visit.
Crookhaven Head Lighthouse walking track.
Crookhaven Heads walking track. ©
A cool little place to explore in Crookhaven Heads, also known as “ Crookie” to the locals, at the far end of Culburra Beach is the Crookhaven Heads Lighthouse walking track.
To begin, access the walking track from the car park at the end of Prince Edward Ave. Then, meander down to the headland through a set of stairs and follow the trail through a beautiful native Australian bush forest to reach the lighthouse. As you make your way, keep an eye out for a smaller trail that leads to viewing platforms with panoramic ocean vistas. You might even catch a glimpse of migrating whales gracefully passing through.
Crookhaven Heads lighthouse walk viewing platform. ©
Crookhaven Head Lighthouse walking track. ©
The walk is around a 30-minute return journey and is graded as an easy walk. Don’t rush it, though, take your time — there’s much to explore. Wild sea and ocean rock pools on one side, plus a pebbly-banked river on the other.
2. Warrain Beach and Lake Wollumboola, aka “The Lake.”
Lake Wollumboola, Culburra Beach. ©
This beach is a 3.7km stretch of coast along Culburra that runs all the way to Currarong.
Furthermore, at a more southern part of the Culburra stretch, you’ll find Lake Wollumboola, an intermittently closing and opening coastal lake known as an ICOLL (intermittently closed or open lake or lagoon). Above, you’ll see a picture of it when it was a closed lake, which it was for many years due to the drought, before the high rainfall of 2022 and 2023.
In the summer of 2022-2023, this lake was opened to the ocean and looked pretty dreamy as a crystal-clear blue lake. As of May 2023, the lake has closed again.
Is Warrain Beach dog friendly?
Dogs are prohibited at the lake side of Warrain Beach, due to endangered nesting shorebirds from the Pied Oyster Catchers to the Little Terns and Hooded Plovers. Let’s take care of our feathery friends and be sure to keep your pooch away.
However, Crookhaven Beach on the other side of Penguin Head is dog friendly, so go there instead if you have a pupper. On and off-leash times apply.
Check the Shoalhaven Council website for further information on where dogs are allowed or prohibited in the region.
3. Tilbury Cove.
Tilbury Cove, Culburra Beach. ©
Whether you want to swim, snorkel, picnic or zone out, Tilbury Cove is a great little pocket off the main beach strip of Culburra (that I’ve subjectively rated as one of the best beaches on the south coast!) that is user and family-friendly. You might even spot a few dolphins.
The beach is accessible to the public and a great place to unwind and enjoy the natural Culburra scenery.
The photo above was taken in the morning -I recommend coming here for sunset because, as it’s west-facing, you can enjoy a nice sunset over the water.
4. Crookhaven Heads, Culburra boat ramp.
Crookhaven Heads boat ramp. ©
Pelican at Culburra Beach boat ramp. ©
Crookhaven River. ©
If the wind is calm, this place makes for a magical sunset viewing over the water.
5. Penguin Head lookout.
View from Penguin Head lookout, Culburra Beach. ©
One of the best vantage points from land to watch whales during their yearly migrations, Penguin Head lookout in Culburra Beach is a far-reaching headland point making for spectacular whale-watching between May and November.
Places to eat in Culburra.
6. Loco Lane, Culburra Beach.
Image courtesy of Loco Lane, Culburra.
Te quiero! If you were wondering if Loco Lane Culburra Beach has a spicy margs on the menu, the answer is a resounding yes.
Tucked down a laneway on the main strip of shops, this dental surgery-turned-Mexican eatery and bar serves up tasty tacos, quesadillas, craft beer and cocktails. Check out Taco Tuesdays for a cheeky early-week margarita and taco deal, or keep up to date with weekend opening times and live music sessions via their Instagram.
7. The Common South Coast.
Image courtesy of The Common, South Coast.
A cool new secret of the south coast that won’t be secret much longer is the plethora of craft breweries opening up.
Not too far from Loco Lane, The Common South Coast is the new kid on the block in the bar, brewery and food scene in Culburra Beach and Shoalhaven in general. With a dog-friendly courtyard, beer, cocktails, meals, an outdoor cinema, community events and live music, it’s a real fresh injection of energy into this small township!
And for beer enthusiasts, as the home of Penguin Head Brewing, it’s the only place other than Culburra Bowling Club where you can get a locally brewed craft beer off-tap, from Penguin Head Brewing to Dangerous Ales, Jervis Bay Brewing and Flamin’ Galah.
At the moment, it’s walk-ins only, so check the website and Instagram for opening times.
8. Freaks of Nature food van, Culburra.
Plant-based lovers rejoice, as Culburra officially has a vegan and vegetarian-friendly food and juice truck. You’ll find flavours inspired by Asia, such as curries and gorengs, plus classic wraps, burgers, healthy bowls, smoothies, juices and desserts such as vegan ice cream.
Plus, plenty of organic goodies are grown and harvested from their own garden. Highly recommend.
9. Culburra Bowling and Recreation Club.
Every coastal town needs one. Good for:
Live music (check their website);
A decent and diverse enough pub feeds from a traditional Aussie as well as Asian menu;
Families (check out the clown for kid-tertainment on Friday evenings);
Meat and seafood raffles;
Very sweet employees;
A courtesy bus pickup and drop off;
Lawn bowls;
Pizza.
A good ol’ consistent classic, and tbh, the only place that stays open till midnight in Culburra on most weekdays and weekends.
Check out the Culburra Bowling Club Menu here.
10. Burra Beach Eats.
Prompt and polite service with a smile and a good range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options. My favourites are the roast veggie salad bowls, but you can also get fresh prawns from Jim Wild’s, fresh assorted rice paper rolls and sushi, juices, toasties, schnitzels, and loads more.
Remember to check out Cheap Tuesday nights with yummy Asian-inspired meals.
11. Em’s Place.
Excellent brekkies for all diets, decent coffees and homemade sausage rolls.
12. The Little Snapper.
Try the mussels or grilled blackfish. Cocktails are always a bit of fun and served with a smile.
13. Grumpy Joe’s.
Mixed snack pack from Grumpy Joes.
I don’t know why Joe is grumpy but it certainly can’t be because of his tasty food.
The delicious kebabs, featuring various sauce options like hummus, aioli, and chill, are the highlight. They come in generous servings and are expertly made. Vegetarian options are also offered. As for me, I'm currently hooked on the sinfully mouth watering snack pack, which consists of loaded fries topped with kebab ingredients (pictured). Make sure you add cheese.
14. Culburra Bakery.
Two words. Bahn mi. If you know, you know.
15. Sun Sun Chinese Restaurant.
An absolute staple of Culburra’s dining scene — consistent, great food, and open more often than other venues, especially early in the week. You can’t go wrong with the classics such as San Choy Bow, veggie omelettes, and stir fry offerings, including cashew nut, garlic, oyster sauce and curry.
Activities.
If you’re in Culburra and the weather is lovely, there are plenty of fun activities you can do.
16. Surfing.
Both Warrain (“Mainie” and “The Lake”) plus Crookhaven side have varying swells for beginners, intermediate and advanced surfers. Need a board? Hire boards from Burra Bike and Board or Culburra Beach Surf School.
17. Lawn bowls.
Culburra Bowling and Recreation Club comes with a large expanse of green grass lanes, ready for you and your team to grab a beer, throw a weighted ball around and see who can get closest. What a joy!
18. SUP (Stand up paddle-boarding).
Tilbury Cove is a calm nook on the beach that lends itself to excellent paddle-boarding. Lake Wollumboola, when it’s open to the ocean, is a tranquil and user-friendly beautiful blue lake that would be ideal for this.
19. Biking.
Culburra beach is an extremely bike-friendly town with shared cycle paths stretching from the main shops all the way up to the headlands. Don’t have a bike but want to experience all the fun? Hire one for a few hours or a day at Burra Bike and Board, where you can hire beach and mountain bikes or vintage cruisers.
Things to do near Culburra Beach.
Just a stone’s throw’s away from Culburra Beach are Greenwell Point, Worrigee and Pyree, 15 minutes or fewer to reach by car. If you’re looking to explore a little outside the Burradise bubble, here are some top picks.
20. Jim Wild’s Oysters, Greenwell Point.
Scallops, oysters and prawns at Jim Wild’s oysters. ©
One of my top recommendations for the best things to do near Culburra Beach will always be Jim Wild’s oysters. World champions of oyster shucking, this small family-owned and operated oyster farm located in Greenwell Point, serves up a range of delicious, freshly-shucked oysters, plus prawns and scallops served to eat in or take away. Remember to BYO booze and cups.
21. The Butter Factory Restaurant, Pyree.
A historic butter factory restored to a charming restaurant, this eatery overlooks green meadows and cow paddocks. Most importantly, the food is top-notch. I always recommend the scallops for the entree, but you’ll have to come back a fourth or fifth time to try all the mains, they’re all equally delightful.
22. Greendale’s Cafe and Restaurant.
Green meadows, happy cows, peaceful paddock outlook, plus Devonshire tea, anyone? Get brekkies, lunches and afternoon teas here, but book a reservation, it’s quite a popular spot and for good reason!
23. The Growers, Shoalhaven.
The Growers Shoalhaven ©
Country meets beachside holiday at The Growers, a casual indoor-outdoor bar and eatery nestled in the lower level of Worrigee Sports Club overlooking beautiful greens.
Expect a locally sourced and grown menu (hint: the baked Camembert is always amazing, so too are the pizzas and salads) and pretty darn sensational cocktails.
24. Pelican Rocks, Greenwell Point.
This is definitely the freshest fish and chips I’ve ever eaten in my life. And it’s no wonder. Overlooking the Crookhaven River, Pelican Rocks gets their seafood direct from the fishermen to your mouth and is probably why they’re an award-winner of the prestigious title of “best fish and chips in NSW and Australia” at the Australian Fish and Chips awards. So if you really want to try the best of the best, here is your sign.
25. Jindyandy Mill, Pyree.
From antiques and bric-a-brac to lollies, a collective of local artisans and makers called The Mill Marketplace, plus a Christmas shop, Jindyandy is an intricate treasure trove of cool finds. Greendale’s Cafe is next door, so once you’re done hunting bargains, grab a tea next door and relax.
Hopefully, the suggestions above have inspired you to really embrace the unique neighbourhood of Culburra. That’s officially 25 of the best things to do in and near Culburra Beach, but there’s always so much more to discover yourself. I mentioned Greenwell Point, Worrigee and Pyree as close by neighbourhoods. Still, you’ll also definitely want to do some research on the nearby townships of Callala Beach, Callala Bay, Currarong, and the Beecroft Peninsula. Some are home to some of the best south coast walks in NSW, and all are complete with their own bowlo. Enjoy!
Are you a business local to Culburra and would like to be featured in this list? I love supporting local businesses! Get in touch with me here.
