Nowra, NSW 2541
Ranked 42nd best suburb by locals in Illawarra Region, NSW
Great for
- Medical facilities
- Internet access
- Gym and fitness
- Schools
- Parks and recreation
Not great for
Who lives here?
- Families With Kids
- Retirees
- Singles
- Professionals
- Hipsters
Reviews of Nowra, NSW
"Good working area"
I work in Nowra and find it very pleasant, really good selection of cafes with great quality food and coffee. Very nice businesses all doing well and the locals are pleasant. Easy to get around. New road and bridge upgrades will help any traffic issues. Lots of good schools too. Plus real estate is still very affordable. I’d say if you’re a professional thinking of making the change do it don’t hesitate.
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
"Up and Coming Town"
There is no one Nowra, there is South, North, East and West and the CBD. Each are different from each other - different types of housing and cost, different schools, different people. Avoid East Nowra - be warned that it has become hard to find a house labelled "East Nowra". It can be called Nowra, Worrigee or South Nowra, such is the reputation of East Nowra. North Nowra is where a lot of young families live with good schools, but not much to do and a poor range of shops. South Nowra is where you find all the new estates, with an endless range of Macdonald mansions. Good if you are starting out and want the biggest bang for your buck. It also has the large appliance shops and Bunnings. Central Nowra has some beautiful heritage houses that have been lovingly restored - quite cheap too compared to Berry or the beach suburbs. It also has a decent range of shops, cafes and public amenities such as the Roxy Cinema. A good compromise between the regional towns and villages further away. With the new freeway opening in 2022, Nowra Bridge in 2025 and a new hospital it will become more popular as an escape from Sydney that is within easy reach of some great beaches.
Who lives here?
- Singles
- Families with kids
"Underrated"
Nowra is a great town. It is situated in a stunning part of the world, and the township itself, while not bustling, has all the facilities you could need or want at any stage of life. Nowra CBD has beautiful old homes, leafy streets, and friendly residents, particularly on the western side of the highway (Plunkett, Junction, Worrigee, Osborne, and Shoalhaven Streets are particularly nice).
I lived in the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs of Sydney for 10 years after growing up in the suburban areas around Nowra. I think the only bit of advice I would want to give someone think of moving to Nowra is to be ready for the change. Nowra is not a secret, you aren't going to discover that there's a place just like Sydney but less than half the price, it's different. If you're ready for that there is every chance you will love Nowra and live here for many years, as most residents do.
I also feel like Nowra, and the Shoalhaven more broadly, is on the cusp of change. It's getting to the point now where people aren't just moving here to retire and more or less fade away here, but young people are moving in, probably resulting from a generational realisation that Sydney, for all its facilities and 'culture', is a bit of a dump. The same could be said for Wollongong which offers neither the fully convenient and 'happening' lifestyle of a city nor the slow-pace or affordability of a small town. To me it's just not worth paying top dollar to live in no-man's-land. I think the notion that Nowra has fallen behind relies on the supposition that other places, like Wollongong and Shellharbour, are moving in the right direction. They may be newer and bigger but both demand a higher price tag without delivering much, and both have an ordinary aesthetic at best, with Shellharbour being a clone village and Wollongong looking like a crummy version of Canberra by the sea.
I honestly think Nowra is a great place to live, better than many regional towns, and I often have a hard time remembering why I ever left. If you can get yourself a good job there, then go for it. Just be ready for your life to look different (probably better).
Who lives here?
- Singles
- Families with kids
"Great regional centre"
Nowra is a major regional centre that is surrounded by beautiful beaches, mountains and national parks. The main areas of employment are HMAS Albatross (ADF), health and retail. Still many areas that are affordable to buy and rent in. The Nowra CBD is undergoing a makeover and is looking more modern nowadays. Lots of great walking tracks and places to exercise in and around Nowra too. Many major shops including Coles, Woolies, Aldi, Dan Murphys, BWS, and small speciality retail too. A car is a must as public transport is limited but is improving, however the CBD is easily accessible by foot. Great selection of public and private primary and high schools. The train line is also being upgraded and offering more frequent services for commuters, and currently offers many daily services to Central in about 2 hrs and 45 mins.
With the Gerringong/Foxground/Berry highway upgrades and the new Nowra Bridge well underway, it has never been easier to access Wollongong, Sydney and beyond.
Who lives here?
- Singles
- Families with kids
"Shabby CBD"
A very shabby CBD stuck in a fifties time warp. The main street should be pedestrian traffic only with outdoor cafes and eateries, trees and seating. What do we have? High gutters,no wheelchair access and retailers to afraid to step out of their outdated way of attracting business. Get the cars out of the CBD, bulldoze Stocklands, move the hospital and ambulance to South nowra and extend CBD toward the river. Stop the retailers from keeping the place last century.
Rentals in Nowra
"Falling behind"
I have been living in Nowra for three yrs I still miss Macarthur I found Nowra is 50 yrs behind Campbelltown lack of good shopping and facilities there is not entertainmemts but little and people manly go to Bunnings for it This winter has been the longest in my life to cold to go to Bunnings, when you need a Dr you do not just go like Campbelltown you need sometime a week away appointment, transport disaster we need fast buses to Sydney or other places forget rural mentality we regret to move to Nowra.
"The old parts of town are fantastic places to live"
Great for
- Areas surrounding Nowra are beautiful.
- Primary schools are decent.
- The Shoalhaven river is pretty cool.
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Hipsters
- Students
- Country Lovers
- Trendy & Stylish
"Suffers from an image problem"
Nowra's biggest problem is the way it's perceived. If you live here, it's a great place with friendly people, all the amenities you'd expect of a regional town, and an improving community spirit. Half the problem with the perception of crime is that it seems that every single incident makes the papers - wouldn't happen in a bigger city. Youth unemployment is a big issue, as it is in most of rural Australia (and many parts of Sydney). Overall, the schools are good, the scenery around the place is spectacular, sporting activities for kids abound, and it's a good place for families.
Great for
- Areas surrounding Nowra are beautiful.
- Primary schools are decent.
- The Shoalhaven river is pretty cool.
Not great for
- Low employment rate.
Who lives here?
- Families with kids
- Retirees
What has been done about the issue (youth unemployment)? I noted some improvement in the last five years: the town now looks a bit more affluent and has nice coffee shops and well maintained street. It is so close to Berry which is quite trendy and full of people on the weekends and it seems that many visitors to Berry would extend their way if there are amenities that will entice weekenders to Nowra. However, there is no decent hotel nearby (or, if there is one, it is always full). The Bomaderry Best Western is simply unpleasant place to spend the night - the managers are so unpleasant and unfriendly that we are not going back, ever.
I agree that North Nowra is excellent place to live. Needs an improvement on the local shopping center. Every time I visit North Nowra, I have no choice, but to have lunch either in Nowra or Bomaderry. The only 1/2 decent choice of lunch in North Nowra was a little bakery with pies.
Really depends on which side of the Old Shoalhaven Road in Worrigee. Carrington Park has its historical problem and yet new developments are happening right now. Lovely big homes on higher grounds, overlooking the 'no-go zones'. Opposite Carrington Park from Peppermint Drive and all the area surroundings through to Rayleigh Drive opposite the Spring Resort & Golf Course, most of these streets are lovely. Some premium homes there. Don't go anyway near the Putt-Putt towards Clipper Street, Kalandar Street and those streets opposite the Archer and Dan Murphy. Rent in any area before buying. Talk to neighbours and most will tell you the truth.
There are lots of lovely places to grab your lunch or dine in a bit of style in Nowra. Check TripAdvisor.
The Postman's, Nowra Steak House, Kohlis (Indian), Pandan Chinese and even Nowra Tavern one can catch a lovely meal. The Bombaderry Bowling Club is another place worth going.
I love this place its so Quiet
Where would be the best regional area from the perspective of finding job for new immigrants in far south coast?
East Nowra, has a lot of drugs and alcohol problems. There are drug addict men that try to intimidate women that are alone, even in their own homes, one tried to just walk in the door on my wife. My kids are native American and Mexican mixed, have had a lot of racism hurled at them, and been threatened by white and aboriginals, and even beaten by aboriginals, with no provocation. Drunken fights in the street on weekends, one neighbor constantly had their caravan smashed up by an alcohol and drug affected native Australian teen boy. And the police do nothing, they had to move and count their losses. Walking down the main street Myself and my wife have had native Australian men, that hear my wife's USA accent, accost and threaten us and yell abuse at us, she being part American Indian. West Nowra has a lot better people, but still there are childish people especially young drunk women, and the men trying to worship them, and their petty drunken trouble making. Teen gangs trespassing on elderly peoples property. And even a family with young children gets the little thugs trespassing late at night scaring their small kids. One of the biggest problems is the laziness and thuggish behavior of some of the police. Example: young P plate woman gets on the road 2 weeks and in a rain storm she accidentally slides in a corner and loses control and slips off the road onto the grass of a barely populated road. Slides off next to a paddock fence. No one hurt, No damage done. She is understandably shaken and in shock, and is soon taken by ambulance to be counseled and treated for shock. In the mean time the Nowra police find it prudent to abuse her, and when the parent arrives, tells them that their daughter "acted stupidly by slipping off the road" and that "people that do stupid things deserve to and should be abused" and threatened to arrest the father for walking on the road, when he did not like the abuse, the Ambo's were also disgusted. The senior officer with 2 bar shoulder flashes thought this was a great funny joke. So if you want to live in a town where some of the police are worse than teen idiots, both white and black people will treat you with racist violence, (but not all of them some are very nice) Where drunken idiots roam the streets and vandalize private property, teen thugs trespass on your property and terrify your kids. Then Nowra is definitely your town.
Very sorry to hear that.
Its a disgusting place the whole of Nowra is a complete dump. Whether its east, south , north or west. We are so unhappy here and only moved here 19 years ago as Sydney house prices were to expensive. I hate this place and regret moving here everyday.
Oh and why Im on a roll I should add thats its boring and too laid back and the whole dump is outdated and backwards. That basically sums up this hole.
Yes I can support johns130 comments re Nowra police. I was insulted and intimidated in my home. I hadnt broken any law, yet they treated me like a criminal. I felt so threatened by their presentations (a male and a female) that I that needed to sit down. I was near breaking point and sobbing. I remember the butts of their assault guns prominently displayed on their equipment belts. And speeding traffic is the norm here. Local police dont seem to include traffic control in their duties now. Shoalhaven is beautiful but the community evidently can seem to be dysfunctional. I feel sorry for those who have relocated to the Nowra region only to be disappointed.
"North Nowra, safe as houses; East Nowra, prepare for the worst."
I've lived in Nowra since I was 7.
I've heard many people say "wrong side of the bridge" when referring to the good side of Nowra (Cambewarra, North Nowra and some outside parts of Bomaderry) and the bad side (parts of West Nowra, East Nowra and Worigee). If I was to give anyone a word of advice, it's not to live in Worrigee. I mean why wouldn't you? Affordable, lovely houses, leafy, whatever. Right next to Worrigee is the infamous East Nowra and there has been a multitude of Worrigee break ins, rape assaults etc. from East Nowra folk 'jumping the fence', and not robbing from their own nest.
However, Nowra is not all bad. There's absolutely lovely beaches surrounding Nowra, ie. Jervis Bay; and the Shoalhaven river goes alright too. Yes, there's your Saturday night glass fights at Posties, and your lack of employment opportunities all together - but for a new family looking for an okay area then move to North Nowra. It's affordable, with many reitrees and young families adorning the quiet streets. There are a few ghetto streets up near Judith Drive, but opposite Illaroo rd. living is fine.
North Nowra has the best primary school in all of Nowra, Illaroo rd. primary school which outdoes it's private counterparts in a lot of areas. North Nowra has it's own mini mall, with take out, a grocer, a chemist, post office, gym, waxing place and hair dressers. North Nowra also has it's own (pretty cheap!) petrol station, and most importantly, it's own Pub which goes off on a Thursday night. So Northy is the way to go.
Great for
- Primary schools are decent.
- Areas surrounding Nowra are beautiful.
- The Shoalhaven river is pretty cool.
Not great for
- Lockout is 1am from all pubs.
- Crime.
- Low employment rate.
Who lives here?
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Beach Lovers
what is causing all the issue and has it improved since you last wrote this blog
Where is a good place to live near Nowra (30 minutes drive or so) if money really was not an issue.
do you know anything about a housing nsw development going into east nowra land is all clearedi believe
Im not sure I understand your comment.
Your saying "to give anyone a word of advice, it's not to live in Worrigee. I mean why wouldn't you? Affordable, lovely houses, leafy, whatever. Right next to Worrigee is the infamous East Nowra and there has been a multitude of Worrigee break ins, "
On one hand your saying 'Not to live in Worigee, break in's etc...the other hand your saying Why wouldn't you, with affordable housing "...Im confused.
Please clarify....Thanks
Your reviews are not helpful to people looking in the area, North Nowra is on par with the rest of the greater Nowra Area, Not Above, like you state.I lived in the Nowra CBD for 22 years and see no distinguishable difference (all are nice with a few seedy streets to avoid)
Your comments on Vincentia are not constructive nor representative of the shoalhaven area or its people.
We are moving in Leaney Avenue any idea about that part ?
Thank you
I think Leaney is fine. Areas to avoid are near East Nowra and Worrigee.
Stay out of Nowra, south would be the place to go.
How about Moresby Street, Nowra ? Is it an area to avoid? I am looking for n IP there
"Nowra - The council could develop the beautiful Shoalhaven River into something great!"
I've lived here my entire life, it is like every town, it has the good and the bad although I have had mostly good experience in and around the town. The lack of employment is a concern considering the amount of housing estates and developments that are currently taking place. I beleive investing in Nowra is a wise choice, we are still acheiving a 6% to 7% return on some rental investments if you hunt around for them. Schools and medical centres are catered for although the nightlife in Nowra is promoted by a few pubs, no nightclub or pubs are open after 1pm. Actually the only store open after 1pm is the Kebab Shop! I disagree with anybody who says it is an unsafe town.
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
I'm interested to know your opinion of East Nowra? If you don't have personal experience with that specific section, what have you heard about it?
I would like to know more as I am very interested to invest in nowra.
I am thinking too, but it is getting very expensive, I don't know why is that. Even East Nowra is so dear nowadays. The houses there look ready to be 'flipped' once or twice. It seems now that retirees from Sydney want to invest in at least couple of houses to rent out to and boost they income.
Im confused again by post's on this site....are you really saying nothing is open past 1300 Hours = 1pm.... Kebab take away shops pub etc....or do you mean 1am ?...
Where would be the best regional area from the perspective of finding job for new immigrants in far south coast?
"Greay place!"
Nowra is a great place; it feels so liberating to be there. If you enter Nowra via Princes Highway, you'd feel as you are in Sydney. You can find representation of all major businesses there.
I have not lived there, I visited only, but it seems that Nowra has a fantastic potential with its closeness to the beaches and being on the coast. Nowra is close to Sydney and Wollongong. Canberra is still a bit ‘out of reach,’ but with the new project to improve the road connecting Braidwood to Nowra, the access from Canberra will be improved.
The house and rental prices are still affordable and they are good alternatives to the prices in the Greater Sydney area, having the advantage of lower traffic and less pollution.
There is a public library, a golf course and parks. There are surgeries and a small hospital. Even an 'ALDI' is availabe, if you are keen on everyday savings on groceries.
Ideally, I would like to start a business there or to choose Nowra as an alternative to the 'rat race' in the major cities.
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Singles
- Families with kids
- Retirees
"Nowra - Great amenities with a country feel"
Nowra is just under two hours south of Sydney on the Shoalhaven River and is a major centre for the south coast of NSW. Nowra has a good sized shopping centre and a spread out CBD. The town has a swimming centre, tennis courts, sports fields and a picturesque golf course close to the river. There is plenty of accommodation for the visitor including caravan parks and motels and plenty of restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets. There are a number of clubs often having live entertainment. Real Estate is still very affordable and being close to the coast on one side and the beautiful hinterland on the other it is a great place to visit or settle.
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Retirees
I find it curious that people are saying it's great place to settle, especially for families with kids, when you consider the high unemployment, higher still for the youth (triple the unemployment rate apparently) - a consequence of which is crime, at least in certain areas.
nowra!!!!! Best part about the place is the Road leading out of it. Favorable Bloggers are on the pay roll. The problem with the place is the TOP END OF TOWN. Lousy with corruption. Locals claim it is due to the new Jail which has attracted Undesirables. It is a hovel for Criminals and the Top Enders Incite most of it with the local Council being head of Top Enders. EAST NOWRA is laced with Criminals on the prowl picking on anyone they are told to or feel like it. Bombaderry - the same. Remove the Housing NSW problems and half the town would be OK. Police should do more Policing instead of being obsessed with other things. Apart from that - its a swell place.
I am going to move to Nowra soon as a skilled migrant. I am currently working as a Software Engineer and I would like to know about professional job availability in Nowra or nearby regions. Please some one advice on this
I am thinking of looking to buy in Bomaderry, but reading post's which allege Criminal Behaviour, as a single female, now Im not too sure.
Where is safe these days, and I don't mean a Retirement home...Im too young and active for that!! I don't want to be surrounded by HC renters, ( I are up in HC Sydney, we did allright because of my family structure) however now HC have a stigma attached and unfortunately I don't wish to be living close to people who work for the dole, have multiple rusting cars out the front of their house, Live week to week only to buy smokes and Grog, and partake in Petty Theft. Generalising?...You Bet !
Open any Sydney News story and it reads " South West Sydney' killings, glassing, rapes etc etc .....
I may receive unfavourable replies for this post, but I want to put down my retiring years roots, in a place that is economically viable and safe to leave your home.
Nowra is not what was 10 yrs ago. New baby-boomers got houses there and everything is spruced up. East -East *truly East Nowra may have some of the "bad behaving" streets, but most of the houses are better than the Western Sydney because simply there is no anonymity. It is much safer than Sydney. For jobs - the situation is a everywhere in the regional Australia - most of the people have some tradesman/handyman jobs or, have some rural preoccupation.
This is a pretty spot on review for Nowra.
As an agent myself I have seen the changes happen and like for example "east" Nowra to just Nowra, the idea was to stop the stigma for that area and if you have a look at it since the change, new developments have started to grow.
A very well thought through review and really well said.