The Jamberoo Pub

Jamberoo
A quiet and attractive village in the Jamberoo Valley. It is surrounded by nature reserves and National Parks which are ideal for bushwalking and birdwatching.
Jamberoo is a small and charming village 113 km south of Sydney via the Princes Highway and 7 km west of Kiama. It is situated in lush, green dairy pastures surrounded by towering escarpments, and hills that would today be described as rolling, though only because they have been denuded of their original dense subtropical forest. For the most part all that remains are some exotic cabbage-tree palms which appear strangely out of place.

A vivid impression of the original landscape has been left by a local mill manager's daughter who married T.H. Huxley, one of the most and influential scientists of the 19th century. Huxley reputedly visited Jamberoo in the 1840s:

'From Wollongong to Jamberoo, the road was a mere day track through a forest of tropical foliage; gum trees 200 [feet] or more in height, gigantic india-rubber trees with broad shining green leaves, lofty cabbage palms, and many other kinds of tree towered above us, so that their tops made a twilight canopy, unpenetrable to the sunlight, save for an infrequent clearing in the forest made by the settler's axe. Huge lianas, some as thick as a man's arm, hung down snakelike from the trees.'

The first inroads were made by cedar-getters who took the wood to Kiama for shipment to Sydney. The clearing of the land enabled the establishment of grazing runs and the area was settled in the 1820s. The township, which developed on the private land of the Hyam Estate, was described as a 'thriving hustling village' in 1836. The first denominational school was established at the Roman Catholic Church in 1839.

Although there has been considerable development on the outskirts of the town, time seems to have stood still in Jamberoo. This historic and rather English feel is accentuated by the dry stone walls which separate some of the farms in the area. These stone fences were erected from the 1850s by one man, Thomas Newing of Kent, who brought the craft with him from England and took it with him when he died in 1927.

As transportation to Sydney improved, dairying became central to the life in Jamberoo and the prosperity it brought is apparent in the substantial buildings that were erected.

Flooding in the Jamberoo Valley

Things to see:  

Buildings in Jamberoo
1. Jamberoo Pub
The pub in Allowrie Street, originally constructed in 1857 and recently renovated in quasi-Elizabethan half-timbering, has a kind of olde worlde charm and is a popular haunt, particularly on Sundays when bush bands perform.

2. Fredericks General Store
Opposite is Fredericks General Store, established early in the twentieth century. The interior layout remains largely unchanged although in recent years the produce has become a miraculous mixture of the practical and the boutique.

3. St Stephen's Presbyterian Church
A little further on from the hotel, on the same side of the road, is St Stephen's Presbyterian Church (1876), an attractive building designed in the Norman style by local citizen, James Colley, with a square tower and rounded arches.

4. Uniting Church
To locate the gothic-style Methodist (now Uniting) Church take the narrow branch road off the main street next to the church and turn left into Wyalla St. It is two blocks along, to the left. The spire blew down in 1897, the year it opened, and was never replaced.

5. Anglican Church of the Resurrection
The Anglican Church of the Resurrection was designed by noted 19th-century Australian architect Edmund Blacket in 1864. One of his typical Norman brick churches the parishioners found it too plain. They had the funds to alter the design, adding a tower and a great deal of elaborate stone detailing courtesy of local stonecarver John Simmons. The splendid if idiosyncratic finished product was opened in 1867. Unfortunately, since that time, the red brick has been cemented both inside and out. In the small churchyard lie the graves of William Keevers and his wife who were at the famous Battle of Waterloo.

To the East of Jamberoo
Australia's First Co-operative Butter Factory
A monument marking the site of Australia's first butter co-operative factory (1884) is situated about 2 km from the Princes Highway along the Kiama-Jamberoo Road. It is a small white obelisk surrounded by four posts on the eastern side of Spring Creek. This road to Jamberoo essentially follows the same route as that laid down by the local roads committee in 1841.

Terragong
Further west, about 4 km east of Jamberoo, on the left-hand side of the road, is 'Terragong' (c.1858), a charming house in the Georgian tradition that is still owned by the descendants of John Marks, one-time mayor of Kiama. The original kitchen and back section were burned down but rebuilt c.1890. If you are approaching from Kiama watch for Swamp Road which branches off to your right, continue down the hill and the house is situated on the corner, opposite the power station, with a large verandah and enormous fig tree out the front. It is currently a cream-coloured building. This is not open to the public.

Saddleback Mountain Lookout
About 2 km east of Jamberoo, Fountaindale Road branches off to the south. Saddleback Mountain Lookout lies along this route. The turnoff is signposted. Eventually you will reach a T-intersection. A road to Kiama leads to the left and the lookout reserve is to the right. It is open from 8-4 daily. There is one lonely table for picnickers and a concrete slab noting distances and directions to other locales. The reserve itself is modest but the mountain, which is the point where the escarpment turns into a series of foothills which run down to the sea, offers one of the most dramatic and interesting views on the whole of the south coast. From Saddleback you can see north to the steelworks of Wollongong, south to Jervis Bay and inland to the edges of Jamberoo and the Kangaroo Valley.

Hoddles Track
At the western end of the Saddleback carpark is a green sign stating 'Hoddles Track'. In 1830 Robert Hoddle was assigned the task of cutting a route from the agricultural hinterland through to the coast so that produce could be shipped quickly and cheaply to Sydney. This remnant of that trail from Bong Bong to Kiama boat harbour leads westwards to Barren Grounds Nature Reserve. The track is marked with green posts to indicate the route. It is rough, very steep at times, and takes about four hours return. When you reach the second marker you can go left or right, the left being a steeper descent. Stone fencing can be seen here and an old trail branches off to the left, leading to Foxground Road, which, in turn, leads south to the Princes Highway. Climb over the stile to enter Barren Grounds. The ascent up Noorinan Mountain is steep but you are surrounded by remarkable and cool rainforest and the breath-taking views from the summit make the effort worthwhile. Looking out to the coast, Seven Mile Beach and, beyond that, Jervis Bay lie to the south. To the north are Kiama and Wollongong. A shorter, if more strenuous route to the top, is by a rope which dangles down just before the track turns to the left as it begins its ascent to the lookout.

Minnamurra House
As you enter Jamberoo from the east along the main street (Allowrie St) you will come to a crossroad with Minnamurra Lane. Turn right and follow it for two kilometres across the Minnamurra River. The road turns to the right. Along here, on the right-hand side is Minnamurra House, built around 1840 and reputedly the oldest building in the Illawarra. It was erected for Dr Menzies and his wife Margaret who left Scotland in August 1838. They took up two 300-acre blocks in Jamberoo. The stone for the two-feet thick walls was quarried locally. The shingles for the roof have now been replaced by iron sheets. It is a private dwelling and not open to the public.

Minnamurra Falls

To the West of Jamberoo
Minnamurra Rainforest
Head north out of Jamberoo and turn west onto the Jamberoo Mountain Road. Follow it for a short distance and you will see a sign on your right directing you to a surviving remnant of subtropical rainforest (400 hectares) at Minnamurra Falls Reserve, declared in 1903.

The first trails were established during the depression by people on relief. Located in Budderoo National Park it is open 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. daily (except Christmas day). On the right at the entrance is Kelly's Cottage (1853). There is a rainforest education centre, with a display of rare rainforest plants and information about the site. There are 90 different species of ferns (two-thirds of the fern types in NSW) and 80 species of native trees in the reserve.

The walking track, in its entirety, is 4.2 km and takes about two hours. There are two parts to this walk: the Rainforest Loop Walk (1.6 km) and the Falls Walk (an additional 2.6 km). The latter can only be reached via the former and so, in order to see the falls, the entire 4.2 km walk must be undertaken. There are information posts along the way.

Minnamurra Reserve has two falls, one a 50-metre and one a 25-metre-drop into a narrow rainforest gorge where ferns and vines grow in profusion under the dense canopy.There is a raised wooden pathway along the route, which protects the environment and makes it wheelchair accessible. The gradient is suitable for children and the elderly and there is interpretive signposting along the way.

Trees include the sandpaper fig, used by Aborigines to sand their wooden tools, the Illawarra fig tree, a giant stinging tree, its leaves covered in fine hairs that are saturated with concentrated acids for self-protection, red cedar, cabbage tree palms, bush cherry and staghorns.

Platypus and lyrebirds live in the reserve and, occasionally, an eastern water dragon can be seen basking on the rocks. No camping is allowed but there are picnic facilities and the kiosk is open daily. The charge for private vehicles is $11.00 per car. Other rates apply for large-scale educational visits. All monies are reinvested in the site. Ring (02) 4236 0147 or (02) 4236 0469 for further information.

Barren Grounds Bird Observatory and Nature Reserve
Further along Jamberoo Mountain Road, past the Minamurra Falls turnoff, is Barren Grounds Bird Observatory and Nature Reserve, situated on a sandstone plateau 610 metres above sea level, on top Jamberoo Mountain. The name reflects its unsuitability for agriculture. With about 120 species, this 1962-hectare reserve is a birdwatcher's paradise. The rare ground parrot and eastern bristle bird are located in the park. In fact their presence was the reason the reserve was declared in 1956. There are also grey currawong, crimson rosellas, emu wrens, gang-gang cockatoos, honeyeaters and the occasional lyrebird. The mammals are generally nocturnal although swamp wallabies and echidnae are sometimes spotted. The ecosystem consists essentially of heathland, which becomes carpeted by wildflowers in spring, and dry sclerophyll woodland (black ash and red bloodwood). Ferns cover the ground in places and there are orchids on the rock ledges which grow atop other plants. There is a field study centre (02 4236 0195) and picnic facilities are provided.

The eastern edge of the reserve overlooks Saddleback Mountain. There are several walking tracks which depart from the visitor's centre. Griffiths Trail is a circular nine-kilometre track which meanders through a range of vegetation communities, taking in the Cedar and Illawarra lookouts, which furnish impressive views of the coast. The Cook's Nose Track (3.2 km) leads to a clifftop lookout over Kangaroo Valley. The walk to Drawing Room Rocks is along flat ground and offers magnificent southerly views but it is an all-day undertaking.

Gerringong Falls
If you continue along the Jamberoo Mountain Road, towards Robertson, you will pass Jamberoo Lookout to your right and, just beyond it, the Budderoo Fire Trail which commences to your left, 4 km from the top of the Jamberoo Pass. Although there is no signposting this track will take you to Gerringong Falls. After 2.1 km a metal boom gate signifies the start of another trail to the right. The spectacular views and virgin wilderness of Gerringong Falls lie another 3.2 km along this road. Be warned however, the pristine state of the terrain comes at a price for the bushwalker. The track is not marked and is rough-going, particularly after heavy rain. Be sure to obtain a copy of C.M.A. Map 9038-4-S Kangaroo Valley Topographic Map.

Carrington Falls
If you continue along the Jamberoo Mountain Road there is a turnoff to the left which takes you to Nellies Glen Picnic Area and Carrington Falls. After 2 km this branch road forks. The road on the right leads to Nellies Glen and that on the left to Thomas' Place Picnic Area. A track (2 km return with disabled access) departs the latter and leads to three lookouts over the beautiful falls which tumble 50 metres over the Kangaroo Valley escarpment.

Illawarra Fly
Knights Hill is located 3 km off the Jamberoo Mountain Road approximately halfway between Robertson and Jamberoo on the Illawarra escarpment. Until recently it was nothing more than a few houses, some undulating rural land and a Mission Australia camp. The Illawarra Fly is a $6.5 million tree top walk wihch was officially opened in 2008. It is the Illawarra escarpment's answer to similar dramatic structures in Tasmania, the Otways in Victoria and south-western Western Australia and, in many ways it is the most impressive of them all with panoramic views over the Illawarra coastline, Lake Illawarra and Greater Wollongong from a 45 metre high tower and two suitably hair-raising cantilevered vantage points which gently sway as people walk out on them. The bulk of the structure is 25-30 metres above the ground and is surrounded by tall rainforest eucalypts. Called "Illawarra Fly" it is a wonderful opportunity to be on the same level as the cockatoos, rosellas, kookaburra and honeyeaters in the surrounding trees. The entire walk from the entrance, which includes 500 metres suspended above the forest, takes about an hour. There is a café serving good coffee and light meals and a gift shop. For more details contact 1300 362 881. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Illawarra rainforest from a bird's perspective. It is also possible to travel to Robertson by train where a connecting bus takes passengers to the Illawarra Fly. Contact 1300 65 3801 for details.

To the North of Jamberoo
Jamberoo Action Park
Jamberoo Action Park is a Gold Coast-style fun park. It is now the largest fun park in New South Wales. There is a scenic chairlift which takes you 130 metres up and 600 metres along to the mountain-top where you can ride a bobsled down the hillside on two stainless-steel tracks (fast and slow). There are excellent water slides, mini speedboats and racing cars, numerous pools of various sizes and depths, one with a 4.5-metre rock jump into a 7-metre pool, as well as grass skiing plus picnic and barbeque facilities. In 2005 the Outback Bay, a $4 million wave pool, was opened. The park is constantly evolving and in 2007 The Taipan - two giant slides that are totally in the dark - was opened. Visitors buy day tickets which provide as many rides as you want so it is only sensible to plan on a day-long stay. Get value for money. The park is open from 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. and bookings can be made (02 4236 0114). Check about times as it does close for the winter months and it is often not open outside of school holidays.

Tongarra Bicentennial Museum
Continue north along the road, which becomes Terry St, and you will see a set of lights ahead at the intersection with Tongarra Rd, where the sign invites you to take a right turn to Albion Park Rail. Instead turn left into the side street just before the lights. This short road bends to the right. On your left, just around that corner is Tongarra Bicentennial Museum which has, on display, Aboriginal artefacts, colonial farming implements and household items and an 1882 time capsule buried by the Sons and Daughters of the Temperance Society. It is open Sundays (1-4) and Wednesdays (10-4). Phone 02 4256 6698.

The Illawarra Railway Museum
Follow this street (Russell St) to its terminus in Tongarra Road and turn right. Keep your eyes to the left and you will see an old black steam train. This is where The Illawarra Railway Museum is located. It has several nineteenth-century steam engines and trams in its collection. Essentially an open workshed and a track it is best visited on the second Sunday of each month (11-5 in summer and 11-4.30 in winter) when the trains and an old miner's tram carry visitors around the 1-km bushland track. Children can toot the whistle, watch the innards of a steam engine in operation in a separate display or play on the merry-go-round and chair-o-plane. Steam-train fanatics not in town on the right Sunday can go along for a look at the engines on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, though, being strictly run on a voluntary basis it may be advisable to ring first (02 4256 4627). There are picnic and barbecue facilities.

Special Events
In March you can attend the Jamberoo Folk Festival which now attracts a range of national and international acts. An arts-and-crafts fair is held on the last Sunday of each month at the Jamberoo Hotel carpark from 10-4 and an arts-and-crafts exhibition in November. The major information source in the area is Kiama Visitors' Centre at Blowhole Point, Kiama - tel: 1800 803 897.

	Tourist Information
	Kiama Visitors Centre Blowhole Point Rd Kiama near Jamberoo NSW 2533 Telephone: (02) 4232 3322
	Motels
	Jamberoo Valley Lodge Jamberoo Mountain Rd Jamberoo NSW 2533 Telephone: (02) 4236 0269 Rating: ***
	Saleyard Motel 12 Allowrie St Jamberoo NSW 2533 Telephone: (02) 4236 0270 Rating: **
	Saleyard Motel 12 Allowrie St Jamberoo NSW 2533 Telephone: (02) 4236 0270
	Hotels
	Saleyard Motel Allowrie St Jamberoo NSW 2533 Telephone: (02) 4236 0270 Rating: **
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Gundarimba Guesthouse 45 Allowrie St Jamberoo NSW 2533 Telephone: (02) 4236 0228
	Kiama Bed & Breakfast 15 Riversdale Rd Kiama Jamberoo NSW 2533 Telephone: (02) 4232 2844 Facsimile: (02) 4232 2868 Rating: *****
	Cottages & Cabins
	Kiama Bed & Breakfast "Ki-jeroo" Riversdale Rd Kiama Jamberoo NSW 2533 Telephone: (02) 4232 2844 Facsimile: (02) 4232 2868 Rating: ****1/2
	Restaurants
	Jamberoo Valley Lodge Jamberoo Mountain Rd Jamberoo NSW 2533 Telephone: (02) 4236 0269
	Saleyard Hotel Allowrie St Jamberoo NSW 2533 Telephone: (02) 4236 0270