Shoalhaven, Australia’s New Top Regional Cultural Destination

The Shoalhaven is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations, with to its 100 magnificent beaches, plentiful wildlife, and boutique food and wine industry, but cultural travellers are in for a surprise with the re-imagining of Arthur Boyd's Bundanon. Within 2 hours of Sydney and Canberra, Australia's only regional art museum is accompanied by seven fascinating art and culture trails.

Shoalhaven Tourism has released a new 32-page Art and Culture Guide that highlights seven cultural trails across the Shoalhaven, each one distinct and reflecting the beauty and character of the NSW South Coast. The seven trails highlight 90 arty things to do across the region in conjunction with Bundanon's reopening after a $30 million refurbishment in the following categories:

• Museums

• Galleries

• Art Outdoors

• Craft & Artisan

• Music & Performing Arts

• Heritage

• Workshops & Talk

Locals and visitors to Bundanon have long admired the Fleet Air Arm Museum, which showcases the region's naval history, as well as the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, which is hosting a number of exhibitions this Autumn, ranging from illusion portraits inspired by architectural design to a mural trail with well-known street artists and the Sydney Living Museums' 'Meroogal.' These cultural institutions are all located in Nowra's town centre, but beyond that, a thriving community of artists in coastal towns has created a vibrant scene that may be explored through online trails at shoalhaven.com/art, a new guide that can be mailed, or through local Visitor Centres.

The Shoalhaven gives guests something special with its vast range of offerings, making it the ideal short holiday or extended getaway so close to capital cities and with plenty of open space to explore nature, particularly during the off-season from February to October. Art and culture are the icing on the cake for a resort that provides so many things to do in one place.

Amanda Findley, Mayor Shoalhaven City Council says: “Art and culture plays a big part in the essence of the Shoalhaven, from the local artists to touring works and everything in between. Looking back, Arthur Boyd chose the Shoalhaven as his place to live and make work, and his legacy lives on with the new fantastic Bundanon, his gift to the people.

The arts is an important part of the Shoalhaven visitor economy that is now been given it’s time to shine. Cultural tourists spend 56% more and stay 37% longer*, and tourism supports approximately 6,000 jobs in region which need to be sustained year-round.

The arts and tourism sectors have been hit most hard over recent years, and now more than ever it’s important to support regional towns by bringing your positive energy engaging in art workshops, attending an event or visiting a local gallery to help reinvigorate this beautiful place.”

In addition to cultural trails across several arts disciplines, itineraries have been created on shoalhaven.com with a few highlighted in the printed guide. Visitors are encouraged to come for the arts and culture but stay for the friendly local hospitality, great food, COVID safe wineries, attractions and beautiful unspoilt outdoor adventure activities.