Now’s the time to head to Nowra!

While it may not be as well-known as some of its more southern counterparts, Nowra, nestled on the banks of the Shoalhaven River and just one hour south of the ‘gong, is a South Coast hidden gem.

Whether you want to explore or unwind, soak up the Shoalhaven or kick back with something delicious, Nowra offers families the lot. 

And if adventure is what your family craves, well Nowra has got you covered. Home to Trees Adventure Nowra Park, families can take on Australia’s Number 1 tree ropes course and ziplining experience alongside the Shoalhaven River. If flying through the trees on one of the parks 15 (YEP FIFTEEN) flying foxes isn’t awesome enough, Trees Adventure Nowra Park is actually located INSIDE the Shoalhaven Zoo so you’ll get a birds-eye view of the animals from up to 15 metres in the air!  

With 80+ different challenges, Trees Adventure Nowra Park has adventures ranging from Yellow (8 challenges, 3 Flying Foxes up to 2 metres high and suitable for 4 to 7 year old children) right up to Black (21 challenges, 1 Flying Fox, up to 15 metres high and suitable for teens from 13 years old) - there’s something to suit (almost) all ages and ability levels. Pre-schoolers will love tackling the wobbly rope bridges while the notoriously difficult tween or teen in your life will be all over dancing in the treetops 15 metres above the ground it’s a win for parents with kids of all ages (and that’s no easy feat!)  

Hidden gems and other highlights:

• Harry Sawkins Park -The perfect spot to run off some steam with plenty of different play equipment, climbing frames, a duck pond and skate park on the southern side for bigger kids.
• Go kayaking on the river – Hit the water with Nowra Kayak Hire! Located in Bomaderry, you can hire a range of different watercraft to properly explore the mighty Shoalhaven.
• Grab a coffee (and a ‘cino) from The Deli on Kinghorne – Fresh, local produce, an awesome kids menu and plenty of eat-in and take away options, The Deli on Kinghorne is the best place for a bite to eat in Nowra. Grab some house made pies, takeaway hot drinks and take your meal down to the river to kick back and enjoy in style.
• The Shoalhaven Zoo – There’s monkeys and lions and camels.. oh my! If you’re hitting the trees, make sure you check out the zoo while you’re there. With plenty of wildlife to see, extensive grounds to explore and space for a picnic, Shoalhaven Zoo a great spot for littlies (and bigger kids as well). 
  

Pros of living in Nowra
With its thriving retail opportunities, family friendly amenities and reasonable house prices, Nowra has a lot to offer families. The gorgeous backdrop of the river lends itself to an active, outdoor lifestyle while the art centre, library and multiple community spaces offer plenty of opportunity for indoor activities. There’s also a thriving foodie community with great coffee (always a bonus) and locally grown produce readily available.

Cons of living in Nowra
Parts of Nowra can be congested with traffic, especially around the retail spaces and during busy periods. The beach is a little more distance away which can be frustrating for avid beach goers but the river is a pretty darn good substitute! 

Schools
Nowra is home to a range of excellent schools including:

• East Nowra Public
• Nowra Public
• Bomaderry Public
• Illaroo Road Public
• North Nowra Public
• Nowra Hill Public
• Terara Public
• St Michael’s Catholic Primary School
• Nowra High School
• Shoalhaven High School
• Bomaderry High School
• Nowra Christian School (K-12)
• Nowra Anglican College (K-12)
• St John the Evangelist Catholic High School
  
• Nowra also has a University of Wollongong (UOW) campus and a TAFE NSW campus.