NOWRA

Go south for fun

Nowra, on the Shoalhaven River on New South Wales’s south coast, is the destination for Bike North’s late Spring cycling weekend each year.

In 2024, the Nowra weekend will be Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th November.

The Nowra weekend has been on the Bike North calendar since 2018, each year offering different routes, enabling riders to explore the many beautiful and interesting surrounds of the Nowra and Shoalhaven area. This year is no different! See below for the itinerary.

All New Rides

This year all the routes are brand new! All the dinners are at places we have never been to in previous years. So, even if you have been to Nowra before, please consider coming again.

What to expect: Touring style?

The rides on the Nowra Weekend will be similar to Sydney rides, with a Ride Leader and a sweep. Whilst you can follow the route on Ride with GPS on your device, you can also just sit back and relax, follow the leader and enjoy the scenery!

Registration
If you would like to come along, please check the Calendar. All the rides have been published on the Bike North Calendar.

On your bike!

The Nowra weekend can be enjoyed on any roadworthy bike – your favourite tourer, road bike, gravel bike, recumbent or e-bike. All routes are on-road.

It is a good idea to have your bike serviced before the trip and ensure that you bring along your bike tools and repair kit and spares. Oh, and this is country riding so safest to bring your front and rear headlights too!

And whilst we will be stopping for coffee, you can always pack some of your favourite on-ride goodies to sustain you in between. Muesli bars, bananas and jelly beans offer some of the best options for your ride.

Accommodation

You are responsible for organising your own accommodation for the weekend.

We recommend the Pleasant Way River Lodge (http://pleasantway.com.au) as it provides comfortable accommodation, on-site small café and is close to the commencement of most rides. You are, however, free to stay anywhere in Nowra and make your way to the start of the rides. (Be careful of possible roadworks due to bridge construction causing access issues.).

Dining

We invite you to join the group for some meals, if you wish. This year, our suggested options are:

Thursday - EX Servos – 6pm
- Address: 157 Junction St, Nowra NSW
- Phone: 02 4421 6855
- https://exservos.com.au/

Friday - Worrigee Sports – 6pm
- Ex Servicemen’s Worrigee Sports Club
- Address: 131 Greenwell Point Rd, Worrigee NSW
- Phone: 02 4421 6422
- https://worrigeesports.com.au
- There are two restaurants - We are going to: The Pepper Trees
- (There is a more upmarket place downstairs Menu - The Growers by Ponte )
- Free pickup after 4pm and free drop off. Ring 02 4421 6422

Saturday - Farmgate (not Friday cos it will clash with ABBA @ Ent Centre) – 6pm
- Address: 53 Graham St Nowra
- Phone: 0455 331 468
- https://www.farmgaterestaurant.com.au/

Entertainment

Do you like ABBA then Friday night at Nowra is for you….

Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre

Fri 8 Nov - ABBA Bjorn Again

$96.70 adult $85.70 concession

02-4429 5757

www.shoalhavenentertainment.com.au

Questions?

Email the organiser – David Vasey davidrvasey@gmail.com or phone 0412 105 518.

2024 Program of rides

The roadworks across the Shoalhaven River at Nowra are now completed. See the dream that has become a reality – YouTube 2min 38sec video. Can you see yourself cycling across the new cycle way across the river?

These are the 2024 routes:

Thursday 7 November

Nowra to University of Wollongong, Shoalhaven Campus

Route, distance
elevation, cues: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48342765
Starting time: 12 noon

Starting point: Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, 42 Bridge Rd, Nowra

Coffee stop: Deli on Kinghorne at end of ride & maybe a surprise at UOW

This is a brand-new Bike North route that was developed by The Shoalhaven Bicycle User Group (SBUG), for which, the organisers express their gratitude.

The organisers have found a new way for us all to leave Nowra going south. The route will then follow the route towards HMAS Albatross before turning onto quiet country roads to the university. The road up to the university is a delight. You will be shocked by the size of the campus!

Friday 8 November

Nowra North to Cambewarra Village

Route, distance
elevation, cues: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38117653

Starting time: 12 noon

Starting point: Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Bridge Street, Nowra.

Coffee Stop: Cambewarra Village General Store

We have never been this way to Cambewarra Village. In 2022 and 2023 the road that makes the route interesting was flooded and the road was closed. It is now open again.

The route starts by going across the new super duper Shoalhaven Bridge – see YouTube video. We will then go to Shoalhaven Zoo. (Did you know Nowra had a zoo?) Then on to Cambewarra Village along the beautiful Hockeys Lane, over the Tapitallee Creek.

Note: We pass the stand that used to hold the Iroquois Helicopter at the corner Pleasant Way and Princes Hwy. The helicopter was removed in 2023 - a shame - it was such a good landmark and made a wonderful starting point for many of our rides. Hey said it will be returned once it has been repaired.

Saturday 9 November

Nowra to Berry

Route, distance
elevation, cues: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34354295

Starting time: 8.00am (In time for Berry shops before the crowds)

Starting point: Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Bridge Street, Nowra

Coffee stop: In 2025 we would like to try the Family Tree Cafe & Restaurant, 4/58 Albert St. in Berry.

This is another ride that was sourced from Shoalhaven Bicycle User Group. Bike North has been offering this ride since 2018.

Again, we have a chance to cycle over the new Shoalhaven River bridge, this time going north and going south. We follow the Shoalhaven River on the north side passed the Ethanol plant before cycling through such delightful places such as Back Forest and Far Meadow before getting to Berry.

On leaving Berry the organisers have a little surprise for you. A side excursion to a place we have never been before.

The route then goes through lovely undulating tree lined country to Shoalhaven Heads before returning along the Shoalhaven River upstream.

Sunday 10 November 2024

Nowra to see Comerong Island Ferry and Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens
Route, distance
elevation, cues: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48532112

Starting time: 8 am

Starting point: Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Bridge Street, Nowra

Coffee Stop: This year we will be going the tried and trusted cafe The Deli on Kinghorne in Nowra. In 2022 we tried the Worrigee Bakehouse on Isa Road, Worrigee which we thought was average at best.

This is a lovely route that goes to Comerong Island following the Shoalhaven River downstream towards the sea.

The ferry has been out of service while they replace the jetty. This year it is now in service and we were very excited to experience the difference … but…

The ferry that was free for cyclists now costs $20 per cyclist (return) for the 5-minute ride! See Ferry timetable and fees. So, we won’t be going onto the island.

It is still worth going because it is a pretty ride, it is flat and the potholed road has been repaired.

From the ferry we will cycle on quiet roads to a place most people will never have been – Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens. We looped around the gardens and returned to Nowra through a new suburb, Worrigee.