Shoalhaven City has approximately 1,200 reserves, consisting of:

• Open parklands - where families or individuals can gather to play, feast and exercise or lose themselves in the wide open spaces.
• Natural areas - subtropical and temperate rainforest can be readily accessed for the day tripper or for those seeking an outdoor adventure.
• Foreshores, beaches and waterways - for the water sports person or those who simply wish to enjoy the beauty of our beaches, lakes and waterways.
• Sportsgrounds - providing for a broad range of sporting activities including AFL, basketball, croquet, cricket, netball, rugby league, rugby union, soccer and tennis to name a few.
• Reserves - nominated reserves throughout the Shoalhaven to host your Function, Event or Wedding Ceremony (conditions apply).

List of park facilities in the Shoalhaven

Find a park in your local area. Toilets, Play Equipment, Outdoor Gym, BBQ, Shelter, Skate Park, BMX, Sportsgrounds, Cycle Way, Boat Ramps, Memorial, Jetties, Shower Facilities ad basketball half courts.

• List of park facilites in the Shoalhaven (PDF 334kb)
• Reserve & Sportsground Maintenance Schedule (PDF136kb)

Park amenities include

• Playgrounds - Shoalhaven City has 128 playgrounds across the City providing a multitude of fun play experiences that include climbing, sliding and spinning and swinging.  All playgrounds are designed to safely meet Australian Standards.
• BBQ’s - Shoalhaven City Council provides electric bbq's in more than 50 locations. The bbq’s are free to use and are kept regularly cleaned and serviced. Dozens of wood fired bbq’s are also scattered through the reserves network,  although restricted use can apply during peak fire seasons. Council does not provide firewood.
• Shelters - gazebos and shelters ranging in sizes large enough to accommodate coach tours at Burrill Lake Lions Park and Rotary Park, Ulladulla and scaling down to small family picnics at Apex Park Berry, Marriott Park Nowra, Titania Park Greenwell Point and Sussex inlet foreshore reserve are available for use in many of our parks.
• Toilets - Toilets are available in a wide range of parks across the city. All sports facilities have toilets provided.  
  National Public Toilet Map (new window)
• Boat ramps - to cater for all types of weather, boat ramps are provided in many of our estuaries and lakes. For the open sea adventurer, deepwater boat ramps are available at several locations along the Shoalhaven coastline.
• Skate parks - skaters are well catered for with regional facilities at Harry Sawkins Park, Nowra and West Ulladulla Sports Fields recently being complimented with the completion of the Currarong Skate Park. Other skate parks include Berry, Shoalhaven Heads, Callala Bay, and Sanctuary Point.
• BMX tracks - Malcolm Moore bmx track and Kangaroo Valley bmx offer the more experienced rider a chance to get some air. Whilst the younger age group may take the opportunity to get cranking at Parson Street Ulladulla or simply enjoy a few little jumps at Gordon Ravell Oval Greenwell Point and Fishermans Paradise Boatramp.
• Walking tracks (new window) - Across the Shoalhaven there is a wide variety of walking tracks for all abilities ranging from wheelchair One Track For All at Ulladulla to Bomaderry Creek Walk that offers a medium challenge to all age groups.
• Dog access areas - Across the parks network there are several off leash areas as well as prohibited and restricted areas.

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The Shoalhaven area has many picturesque locations that are perfect for your wedding ceremony, family function, private event or business meetings.
 
Nowra Showground has a Pavilion that can accommodate up to 200 people and the Committee Room that has the capacity to hold up to 70 people. Both have kitchen facilities, chairs, tables and screens.

Many of the Shoalhaven reserves are idyllic settings for your wedding ceremony or private function.  Please refer to the Private Functions on Public Reserves Policy for further information.

• Private Functions on Public Reserves Policy
• Frequently asked Questions- Private Functions on Public Reserves
• Public Reserve/Building Hire - Application Form to hold your event/wedding ceremony on one of Shoalhaven's public reserves (pdf 274kb)

For more information or to make a booking please contact the Booking Officer on (02) 4429 3111. 

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PLAY ILLAWARRA- detailed and up to date information about playgrounds and play opportunities for children and their carers across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Not only will it help you find local playgrounds and play services but it also provides playground photos, lists of facilities, map links for over 270 playgrounds across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.

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Council has both Parkcare and Bushcare programmes that are implemented in the Shoalhaven. These programmes provide an opportunity for member of the community to participate in the maintenance, repair, protection and enhancement of these open space areas in public ownership.  

To find out more information on a group in your area please contact Shoalhaven City Council’s Bushcare Officer on (02) 4429 3592 for Bushcare or the Team Coordinator - Parks on (02) 4429 3425 for Parkcare.

• Bushcare information
• Parkcare information

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The purpose of the Park Management Policy is to provide policy guidance for the management of Council’s parks network. A park is public open space which council maintains for passive recreation use. A park is not a sportsground, natural area, beach, streetscape, etc.

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The Shoalhaven is located 3 hours south of Sydney and is renowned for its natural beauty, sparkling beaches, beautiful headlands and tranquil waterways. Our beaches and reserves area an ideal location to hold your Wedding Ceremony.

Wedding Ceremony

All Wedding Ceremonies are required to complete a Public Reserve / Building Hire - Application Form and forward to the Council Administration Officer, delivery options are listed on form.

• Please note that it is a policy of Council that only one ceremony per day at each location is permitted. 
• If the booking is cancelled for any reason Cancellation fee’s will incur.
• BRIDAL CARS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ACCESS RESERVES.

For more information on bookings contact: Reserves Bookings Assistant on 9970 3638 or email council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

Fees

A booking fee is applicable for Functions or Wedding Ceremonies for more than 50 people. For Wedding Ceremonies under 50 people please refer to Councils Private Functions on Public Reserves Policy.

• Booking Fee (Medium Function - 50 to 100 people)
  • up to 3 hours - $443.45
  • a maximum bond of $5,200.00 (If you are having large marquees and other infrastructure).

• Booking Fee (Large Function - Over 100 people)
  • up to 6 hours - $897.75
  • a maximum bond of $5,200.00. (If you are having large marquees and other infrastructure).

After your application has been received and closer to the time of your Wedding Ceremony you will be invoiced by Council for your function.

Additional Terms & Conditions for Weddings:

The organiser conducts a wedding ceremony only on the public reserve, with a wedding reception being held at a separate venue.

• Private Functions on Public Reserves Policy
• Frequently asked Questions- Private Functions on Public Reserves
• Public Reserve/Building Hire - Application Form to hold your event/wedding ceremony on one of Shoalhaven's public reserves (pdf 274kb)

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Wedding Ceremony Locations

Medium Function Locations (50 to 100 people)

• Apex Park, BERRY
• Greenwell Point Foreshore Reserve, GREENWELL POINT
• Tilbury Cove Reserve, CULBURRA BEACH
• Dolphin Point Reserve, CURRARONG (only one 9m2 tent or marquee permitted)
• Community Hall Reserve, CALLALLA BEACH
• Voyager Park, HUSKISSON
• Moona Moona Creek, HUSKISSON
• Mollymook Beach, MOLLYMOOK BEACH (in front of the Golf Club / in front of the reserve)
• Washerwomans Beach Reserve, BENDALONG
• Narrawallee Beach Reserve, NARRAWALLEE
• Bannister Reserve, MOLLYMOOK BEACH
• Johnston Street Reserve, BAWLEY POINT

Large Function Locations (over 100 people)

• River Road Reserve, SHOALHAVEN HEADS
• Marriott Park, NOWRA
• Harry Sawkins Park, NOWRA
• Greys Beach Reserve, NOWRA
• Plantation Point Reserve, VINCENTIA
• Lions Park Reserve, SUSSEX INLET
• Mollymook Beach Reserve, MOLLYMOOK BEACH (large functions not permitted on the beach)
• Rotary Park, ULLADULLA
• Lions Park Reserve, BURRILL LAKE

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Links

• Accommodation - Holiday Haven Tourist Parks
• Shoalhaven Tourism
• South Coast Weddings

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• Private Functions on Public Reserves Policy
• Frequently asked Questions- Private Functions on Public Reserves
• Public Reserve/Building Hire - Application Form to hold your event/wedding ceremony on one of Shoalhaven's public reserves (pdf 274kb)