SOUTH COAST, NSW
Another chef who escaped the city, Dave Campbell and his wife Nicole moved from Sydney to Berry in 2008. The couple run two popular South Coast restaurants — the Hungry Duck, a contemporary Asian restaurant in Berry, and Nowra’s Wharf Rd, which has a South American flavour. Dave believes visitors are drawn to the South Coast’s “pristine beaches and great little towns with unique offerings”. What are your favourite restaurants? Cupitt’s Kitchen, near Milton, ticks all the boxes — great food, great wine, craft beer and artisanal cheese. Chef Russell Chinn’s desserts are really good and his classic English terrine is a must. The restaurant at Silos Estate has new owners and they’re doing a fantastic job. The beef carpaccio is one of the best I’ve had. It’s a nice spot to sit and gaze over the rolling hills with a glass of vino. Any other recommendations? After a surf, I’ll head to The Blue Swimmer at Gerroa to have brekkie and watch the ocean roll in. Berry Sourdough Café is a favourite for lunch, and the Salad of the Day at Little Rae General Store in Berry is always packed with goodies. Milkwood, also in Berry, is the place for coffee and a croissant or pain au chocolat, while Flour Water Salt in Milton and Kiama has great pies, sausage rolls and sandwiches. For gelato, head to Il Locale in Berry — salted caramel is my pick. Where do you go for good coffee? Hyper Hyper in Nowra is a quirky place with excellent coffffee. I get a double ristretttto while I’m waiting for my flflat white. Shoalhaven is known for oysters — do you have a preferred supplier? Goodnight Oysters at Greenwell Point are always super fresh and the best quality. Leon will call me from the oyster lease when they’re pulling stock out of the water to see what we need. You can buy them at the farm gate but it’s a good idea to give them a call fifirst. Best fish and chips? At Werri Beach Fish Shop they actually use fresh fish and cook it to order. It’s a rare thing nowadays. Do you have a favourite beach? Werri Beach is my go-to spot for surfing, but as a family we head to Seven Mile Beach. It’s and very safe for the kids. Any other suggestions for children? We take the kids to Gerroa, Jervis Bay or the Shoalhaven River — we’re water people it seems. There are a few good spots for horseriding and you can even do a ride on Seven Mile Beach. > For address details, see page 112.