Kangaroo Valley

We began our trip through the Shoalhaven from the north, turning off the Hume Highway and descending the steep pass from Fitzroy Falls until we reached the broad valley below.

Crossing the historic Hampden Bridge, the charming town of Kangaroo Valley slowly revealed itself as we trundled along Moss Vale Road.

We arrived later than expected — which I suspect had something to do with stopping for the odd photo or twelve — and made a beeline straight for the market.

Stocking up on local free-range eggs and a warm loaf of sourdough, we ambled along the street, chatting away with the friendly locals.

We picked up some local olives and a few extra bits at the General Store, pausing to say hello to Skeeter the cat, who was fast asleep in a high chair beside the counter.

(Side note: Kangaroo Valley olives are incredible — be sure to pick some up when you’re this side of town.)

From there, we wandered into The Nostalgia Factory — a vintage haven teeming with books, records, magazines, toy cars, cutlery… etc, etc, etc.

There are literally hours of browsing and buying in this place, so be prepared to lose time.
Frankie insisted on another toy car (of course), and after some careful choosing, it was time for lunch.

We’d pre-ordered a hamper from Hampden Deli, just across the road, so we picked it up on our way down to the river.

Mushroom pâté, croquettes, prosciutto, and an array of cheeses — paired with our sourdough, it made for a perfect picnic.

There’s easy access to the river from the parking lot next to the bridge, and the views down there are pretty special.

🥾 Three Views Walking Track – Lake Yarrunga

After lunch, we took to the Three Views Walking Track and chose the Lake Yarrunga walk — a trail that offers breathtaking views and gentle terrain.

The name says it all: you can walk to one, two, or all three views, depending on how far you’d like to go.

Lake Yarrunga took us just over an hour return, and even with a toddler (we had a carry pack for her), it was easy, peaceful, and incredibly beautiful — with breathtaking views waiting at the end.

Needing a coffee, we popped into Betty’s Bar on the way back into town. It’s located just north of the bridge — and it’s a great spot for a caffeine fix and a plate of smoked meat. A pretty awesome combination, if you ask me.

A few delectable sliders later, we found ourselves chatting with Gabe, proprietor of the Kangaroo Valley Coffee Co-operative (and brother to Betty). Gabe roasts his coffee on-site and runs the only coffee co-operative in Australia, so he has quite the story to tell.
Be sure to stop by — it’s a special kind of place.

🛏️ Where We Stayed

Accommodation-wise, you’re spoilt for choice in the Kangaroo Valley.

We spent our first night at The Secret Garden Cottage on Moss Vale Road, and our second at Broger’s End, just outside of town.

Despite being only a few minutes from the centre, The Secret Garden Cottage offers some lovely short walks right from the back of the property — with impressive views over the valley.

It’s a great option if you’d still like to stroll home after dinner and seven wines, without the need for a designated driver.

🌿 Broger’s End

Broger’s End is a little further out, offering two rustic dwellings to choose from:

The Shed, complete with outdoor pizza oven
The Dairy, featuring an outdoor bath

Hmmm… which to choose?

We went with the bath, and enjoyed several of them, hanging out with the chickens and picking fresh herbs from the garden.

The river is just a few minutes’ walk away, and there’s even a swimming hole for hot days — so this one’s definitely a winner.

There’s a lot more that can be said about Broger’s — from their eco credentials to their ultra-soft bamboo sheets — so if you’re heading to Kangaroo Valley, don’t miss it.

Eats

Kangaroo Valley Farmers Market

165 Moss Vale Rd Kangaroo Valley
Open 2nd Sunday of the month 8am - 1pm
DIRECTIONS

General Cafe & Store

151 Moss Vale Rd, Kangaroo Valley
Open daily 7am - 5pm
DIRECTIONS

Hampden Deli, Dining & School

4/160 Moss Vale Rd, Kangaroo Valley
Open Wed - Sun 7am - 3pm
Closed Mon & Tue
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Betty’s Bar

2038 Moss Vale Rd, Kangaroo Valley
Open Thurs - Sun 8am - 2pm
Open for dinner on Friday 6pm - 9pm
DIRECTIONS