Easter is the perfect time to visit Culburra Beach and its surrounding villages of Callala and Currarong in the Shoalhaven — the water and weather is still warm enough to enjoy the beach, but the crowds typical of summer have eased off so you have more room to move.

Here are some of our top tips for getting the most out of an Easter holiday in this perfect South Coast position…

Hit the sand

One of the best things to do at this time of year is to simply relax on the beach. The long stretches of sand along Culburra Beach, Warrain Beach to Currarong, and the white sandy stretches of Jervis Bay from Currarong to Callala Beach are perfect for sunbaking, kicking around with the kids, reading books under a brolly, or just soaking up some autumnal UV.

Small, clean waves at this time of year, alongside warm waters and less of those brisk nor-easters typically seen over summer, Easter also brings some sweet surf conditions on the South Coast. Grab a surfboard, bodyboard or stand-up paddleboard and the whole family will be happily romping away the hours beachside.

Clear, warm waters also make for some exiting fishing so throw in a beach rod, grab some local live worms and try your luck on the line.. Even non-fishing spectators can try their luck from the shoreline, with high chances of spotting resident dolphins and (if you’re lucky) even a humpback whale or two heading north for their annual breeding season. 

Wine and dine

Loco Lane is one of Culburra’s best-kept secrets: a well-hidden Mexican cantina and cocktail bar located in an old dentist surgery in the heart of town. Here you’ll find efficient but relaxed dining, with zingy guacamole, succulent slow-cooked pork, fresh prawn and fish tacos, or spiced quesadilla plates alongside expertly muddled cocktails and local beer.   

In Callala Beach, an unassuming corner store building turns authentic Italian pizzeria at night. Calabrisella invites you to pull up an outdoor table and chair right from the beach on Quay Road, with a small but perfectly formed collection of woodfired pizza and handmade pasta options. BYO bottle of red for a simple date night for two, or feed the whole family with its informal, friendly atmosphere. Just make sure you leave room for the tiramisu to finish.

The Little Snapper is a local favourite and serves up crowd-pleasing seafood, burgers and pasta dishes, as well as a range of modern Asian fusion dishes. The outdoor seating area also provides a perfect spot to get together with larger crowds or special occasions. Cocktails, coffee, and cakes round out this solid dining option in the heart of Culburra Beach.

Zac’s Place in Currarong is your one-stop shop for fresh seafood dining or takeaway, with crunchy battered fish, crisp calamari, succulent prawns and scallops, and all the perfect sides like salty hot chips, burgers, salads and drinks. Eat in for relaxed outdoor dining overlooking the bay, or grab a takeaway to feed the crowds right next to the water.  

Live music, good vibes

The Common is Culburra Beach’s newest noshery, offering a large sunny outdoor dining space speckled with striped umbrellas, a lively line-up of musicians pumping out original tunes, and some of the freshest chilled cocktails going around. They are also the only local option that offers the local ‘Penguin Head Brewery’ lagers and ales on tap, which is enough of a reason to check it out on its own, we reckon!

Delicious bite-size bar menu items to help wash those cold brews or margaritas down include slow-cooked beef sliders, pork belly bao buns, gourmet toasties, vegie burgers, and more seasonal delights.

The atmosphere at The Common is relaxed and casual, and the locals already love the revolving door of live acoustic music acts on offer. Check out the inaugural Mini Maker’s Market here on Easter Saturday for a family-friendly vibe and make a long afternoon of it.  

Ride the beach

Fat-tyre bikes are a popular activity across Culburra Beach, Callala Bay and Currarong, which boast wide flat sand banks across many beaches at low tide. The wide tyres of a fat bike, as well as deeper tread for good grip across gnarly surfaces, provide better traction and stability on sand than a normal bike.

Renting a fat-tyre bike can be a great way to explore the beautiful beaches and scenic trails in the area. You can even organise a self-guided beach tour that takes you on a proven route from shops to shoreline, and the bar! Fat bike rides are considerably more fun at LOW tide, so it’s advisable to check the tide times and plan your tour ahead. Even better, have someone like Morto from Burra Bike & Board manage the whole shebang for you.

Explore the north side of Jervis Bay

Jervis Bay is a popular destination known for its stunning white sand beaches, clear waters, and abundant marine life.

Lovingly known as ‘Red Rock’ and known mainly to locals, Red Point picnic area is a sheltered bay on the northern side of Jervis Bay, easily accessible from Callala via Currarong Road. The actual ‘point’ is a natural rocky outcrop that acts as a marker for one edge of the sanctuary zone of Jervis Bay Marine Park, so be mindful that fishing and collecting is only acceptable on one side – snorkelling, diving and swimming is a good plan for both sides! From here, you can enjoy glorious views south out across Jervis Bay and this part of the beach makes a great launching point for a SUP or kayak exploration.

Long Beach is also a picturesque destination for kayakers, or a starting point for swimmers, families, paddleboarders or visitors wanting to check out Jervis Bay. Either come in via water from Red Point, or drive through the bombing range from Currarong to find a pristine arc of white sand and turquoise still water, with rockpools and native bushland right up to the sand. Drivers need to have exited from the Defence-operated road and carpark areas by 8.30am in warmer months, but access and gate closing can change over Easter so be sure to check this on your way in.

Surfing

Culburra Beach is a popular surf spot with consistent waves that are ideal for beginner and intermediate surfers. The beach has a long sandy stretch with a gentle sloping beach break that produces small to medium-sized waves that are perfect for learning to surf. The best time to surf here is during the summer months when the swell is usually at its smallest.

Currarong also a good spot for beginner and intermediate surfers, with the sheltered arc of Warrain Beach offering long, slow swell in the right conditions. Book in a lesson with Sam from Currarong Surf School, or hire a couple of boards for the family to share for the week from Burra Bike & Board, who can deliver to your holiday house or campsite.

Check the local tourism guide and events listings at www.shoalhaven.com for more activities this Easter long weekend, or drop us a line to let us know what’s on your wish list!

Happy holidays.