Nerriga

Nerriga is a tiny, historic hamlet tucked into the wild eucalypt forests of the Shoalhaven region. For travellers on the scenic drive between the Southern Highlands and the South Coast, this former gold-mining settlement offers a quiet pause, with a photogenic wooden church, a historic cemetery, and the serene banks of the Endrick River. It’s more a mood than a destination—a place to stretch your legs, breathe the bush air, and imagine life in the 1860s.

Highlights & What to See

• St. Stephen’s Anglican Church: A lovely weatherboard church from 1865, often open for quiet contemplation, with a simple interior that feels frozen in time.
• Nerriga Cemetery: Wander among headstones that tell stories of early settlers and gold seekers; the oldest graves date to the 1860s.
• Endrick River Crossing: The low-level bridge over the Endrick River is a pretty spot for a picnic or a paddle—look for platypus at dawn or dusk.
• Historic Gold Mine Sites: Scattered along creeks nearby, you can find remnants of shafts and mullock heaps (take care, as they are unmarked and unstable).
• Bushwalking and Birdwatching: The surrounding Morton National Park offers trails through towering forests of spotted gum and turpentine, home to lyrebirds and wallabies.

Suggested Time to Spend

Nerriga itself rewards a stop of 30 minutes to an hour—enough to see the church, cemetery, and river. If you plan to explore the historic mine sites or do a short walk in Morton National Park, allow two to three hours. Most travellers combine a visit here with a scenic drive or a day trip from the coast or highlands.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Braidwood: A beautifully preserved gold-rush town, 35 minutes north, with excellent cafés, antique shops, and heritage architecture.
• Morton National Park: Epic lookouts (Pigeon House Mountain), waterfalls, and wilderness walks—access via the Nerriga Road or from the coast.
• Nowra: The Shoalhaven’s main hub, 45 minutes east, offering river cruises, the Cambewarra Mountain lookout, and superb local produce.
• Fitzroy Falls: A spectacular waterfall in the Southern Highlands, about an hour’s drive north-west via Kangaroo Valley.
• Kangaroo Valley: Charming village with the historic Hampden Bridge, kayaking on the Kangaroo River, and the famous Kangaroo Valley Pie Shop.

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