Shoalhaven [antikvár]

Travelling south from Sydney on the Princes Highway, the City of Shoalhaven begins at Berry and stretches for 160 kilometres of coastline south to Durras Lake. With an overall area of 4,460 square kilometres it is at. somé points, 60 kilometres wide. The proximity of the Dividing Rangé to the coast has a tremendous influence on the topography, climate, industrial and recreational pursuits of the area. Rugged mountain ranges, a delight for intrepid bushwalkers, give rise to the fast flowing streams that, on reaching the rich plains, meander into a myriad of rivers, inlets and coastal lakes, which are accessible to all. It is really within these coastal waterways and on the beaches that the majority of residents and visitors spend their leisure time fishing, sailing, surfing and swimming. The surrounding spotted gum forests is home to abundant wildlife. At several beaches kangaroos and wallabies leave their natural habitat to be fed by visitors. Complementing the natural attractions of Shoalhaven, are a vast array of galleries, craft shops, historic homes and museums where the area's rich history is preserved. The wide variety of accommodation includes first class motels, hotels, holiday flats, caravan and camping parks. The forests and farmlands which brought the early settlers have lost somé of their importance in the economy of the area and tourism has become a major factor. The population has reached 56,000 with a growth that is one of the highest in New South Wales. Many visitors have, on their retirement, chosen to live in the seaside resort towns, somé of which have doubled their numbers in the last five years.