Road trip: Sydney to Berry

As you approach the beautiful town of Berry in the Shoalhaven region, don't forget to stop at the Famous Berry Donut Van. For many years this donut van had a nondescript, even slightly rundown, appearance, making it all the more appealing. It feels like a secret. It’s since undergone a facelift and has never looked better, with its wrought-iron furniture, timber benches and a communal polished concrete table. The van may have changed but the donuts are as amazing as ever.

After your sugar overload, amble along Queen and Albert streets and Old Creamery Lane past heritage buildings and browse locally made gourmet products, sweet treats, elegant wines. For fresh produce, flowers, bargain-priced antiques and handmade goods, you can't go past one of the three Berry Markets throughout the month. Be sure to check the dates before you travel. 

Dine in the oldest brick building in Berry, The Berry Hotel, built in 1863.The Courtyard is the place to sit on a warm summer’s evening, and with three dining areas, one of these is sure to cater to your needs.

Miss the holiday traffic and take the Husky Ferry to Jervis Bay. Relax on white sandy beaches, or explore two national parks bordering the Jervis Bay Marine Park, a haven for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, little penguins, sea dragons and migrating whales. Staying in self-contained accommodation, no longer will you have to drive to Nowra for a big shop. A sprawling new shopping mall, the Vincentia Marketplace, a $50 million development, is well designed and spacious, has attractive décor and a good selection of shops.

To see more in a shorter space of time, rent out a boat and cruise along the inlet and into the man-made canal area, first constructed in the 1950s, which proves that ‘man-made’ doesn’t have to mean ‘ugly’. Then head towards the mouth of the inlet, which is a popular spot for boating and other water sports. Sussex Inlet, in fact, has become a venue for a round of the Australian Stand Up Paddleboard Titles because its minimal tidal flow provides ideal conditions.