Berry

Berry brings local history together with experiences for different interests: the Berry Historic Museum focuses on the history and industries of the region, while an interactive historic trail leads through the business district. There are also activities centred on swimming, nature play and chocolate making. When planning your trip, you can consider which of these aspects of the town will appeal most to you and your family.

History at the museum and in the business district

The Berry Historic Museum has an extensive collection of artefacts, memorabilia, photographs and records. The items were donated by the local community. Anyone interested in the history of a place will find different kinds of evidence here, rather than just a single point of view: photographs and records complement the objects and memorabilia.

The museum focuses on the region’s agricultural, dairy and timber industries. These three areas give the town’s history a concrete focus. During your visit, you can look at how different industries are represented in the collection. For children and adults who enjoy developing questions about the past through objects and images, this offers a different approach from simply looking at an overview of dates.

Another way to explore history is the Berry Short Historical Walking Trail. This interactive historic trail leads through Berry’s business district. Unlike the museum collection, the trail itself is the format here: you encounter history as you walk through the district. If you prefer exploring as you go rather than focusing mainly on a collection, you can take this into account when planning your stay.

Swimming and play

The Berry Swimming Pool at the Berry Showground has shaded areas for relaxing and a children’s pool that is partly covered. So the facilities include both an area for swimming and a pool specifically for children. If you would like to include time together by the water in your stay, you can factor in these specific features when planning your day. The partly covered children’s pool is separate from the shaded areas for relaxing; both are distinct parts of the pool facilities.

The Rotary Nature Play Park at Boongaree offers a different focus. This inclusive playground is designed for all ages and abilities and offers opportunities for nature and sensory play. This makes it appealing to families looking for more than conventional play activities, with opportunities to explore nature and sensory experiences as well. The pool and playground cater to different interests: one is about swimming and relaxing, the other about nature and sensory play. You can decide which experience will shape your stay more, depending on your preferences.

Chocolate and local flavours

The Treat Factory combines production with experiences centred on chocolate. These include various chocolate-making experiences, including bean-to-bar chocolate workshops for children during the school holidays. If your family enjoys trying things out for yourselves, this workshop offers a different way to engage than simply looking at finished products. Keep the school holiday timing in mind when planning your trip.

The products made here also give a visit its own culinary focus: The Treat Factory makes preserves, condiments and confectionery using traditional recipes, as well as Belgian chocolate. So the product range includes other goods alongside chocolate. This is a practical addition to Berry’s history and play activities when choosing things to do, without having to make your stay about just one theme.

Getting there and choosing your stay

The train journey from Sydney to Berry takes about three hours. If you would like to travel by train, this approximate journey time is a useful guide when planning your trip. When choosing a holiday rental, you can first decide what you would like to focus on during your stay: are you mainly interested in local history, play and swimming activities, or experiences centred on chocolate? This will help you explore Berry in a way that suits your travel group’s interests.

Discover more places

More destinations: Pyree, Bewong, Ulladulla, Wattamolla, Greenwell Point, Mollymook, Bangalee and Huskisson.

Back to the main travel overview: Shoalhaven City Council.