Make Mollymook Your Next Beach Getaway

Nestled between beach and countryside on the New South Wales south coast, Mollymook is the quintessential Australian weekend getaway for romantics, foodies and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Exuding a laidback, unpretentious bonhomie, the Shoalhaven town of Mollymook is both a tight-knit community and holiday destination, almost equidistant from Sydney and Canberra. Visiting city slickers are welcomed with open arms and quickly settle in – it’s no surprise, then, that many who come for a weekend end up staying a lifetime. Such people include none other than the internationally acclaimed chef Rick Stein, who opened his restaurant at Bannisters By the Sea hotel in Mollymook in 2009 – his first such venture outside the UK.

Indeed, with cellar doors, incredible dining experiences and, of course, the beach, a weekend here hardly seems enough. Here’s our guide to making the most of your time. And don’t stress if you can’t fit it all in – chances are, this won’t be your last visit...

Where to stay

The Bannisters team opened the door to its second Mollymook property Bannisters Pavilion in late 2015. Like most little siblings, Pavilion is every bit the upstart, making a bold first impression with its azure rooftop pool, brazenly suspended over the entrance. Add to that the tall palm trees swaying on arrival and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve taken the wrong turn-off on the Princes Highway and ended up in Miami, Florida.

With a bush backdrop and just a stone’s throw from the town’s beach, the boutique hotel’s interior aesthetic mirrors its location, melding Scandinavian-style minimalism with beach-chic. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow for plenty of natural light, while the use of soft-hued timbers, polished stone and neutral-coloured furnishings enhance the tranquillity of the surroundings to create an overwhelming sense of calm. 

But it’s all about the rooftop pool, bar and dining area. In fact, if it weren’t for all the things to do in Mollymook, we reckon you’d struggle to leave the serenity of the poolside sunbeds by day, or the open-plan bar by night, with its Antipodean wine list, seasonal cocktails and Young Henry’s craft beers. The menu at the Rooftop Bar and Grill is designed for sharing, influenced by Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines.

Where to eat

Breakfast at Milk Haus

Located in a converted cheese factory on the road to Pigeon House Mountain, Milk Haus is a wholefoods cafe that showcases regional produce sourced either from its own garden or local farmers and providores. Despite a pared-back interior that resembles an old school dinner hall, the crackling log fire brings a cosiness to the venue that is matched by the warmth of the menu, which rotates monthly to feature seasonal fruits and vegetables. The coffee alone is worth going back for. 

Afternoon wine tasting at Cupitt's Winery

A weekend in Mollymook wouldn’t be complete without visiting the cellar door at Cupitt’s in nearby Ulladulla. Situated in an old creamery that looks out over rolling vineyards, the family-run winery and microbrewery produces a range of French- and- Italian-influenced drops and single-batch craft beers. There’s also a restaurant on site, so you can either enjoy a tipple alongside a ploughman’s plate, or a three-course meal with matched wines. We recommend the aromatic Cupitt’s Viognier for white wine enthusiasts or the berry-heavy Nebbiolo if you like your red.

Dinner at Rick Stein at Bannisters

Rick Stein at Bannisters is unquestionably the jewel in the region’s dining crown. A courtesy car takes guests staying at Bannisters Pavilion to the restaurant. The decor is plain but the food is anything but, with Stein making good on his promise to showcase the best locally-caught seafood. To start, there are oysters charentaise – freshly shucked oysters with spicy sausage – and grilled Hervey Bay scallops served in their shells. Mains focus on the sea again, with a Sri Lankan salmon curry and a spin on a bouillabaisse both on the menu.

Things to do

Catch a wave

With six surf breaks of varying difficulty on the doorstep, it’s worth packing the board and praying for some swell. Pam Burridge Surf School turns Mollymook Beach into a surf school for beginners. Take a private lesson or join a group and learn to navigate the waves on the South Coast like a pro.

Hire a bike

Pushbikes are hard to come by in town but Bannisters Pavilion provides bikes for guests to use free of charge. Saddle up and take a leisurely ride along the beachfront, or if you’re keen to raise the heart-rate, a loop encompassing the neighbouring towns of Milton, Ulladulla and Narrawallee will work off breakfast.

Play a round

Mollymook has two golf courses: the challenging 18-hole championship Hilltop Course and the nine-hole Beachside Course, which is ideal for beginners or golfers who don’t get out too often. Hire clubs are available.

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