Your Guide to Shoalhaven Heads' Community Spaces, Parks & Public Areas
One of the best-kept secrets about Shoalhaven Heads isn't the beach — it's just how well this little coastal village looks after its own. From world-class skate facilities to a volunteer-run botanic garden, here's your guide to every community space the village has to offer.
Shoalhaven Heads Native Botanic Garden
9 Celia Parade | Open daily during daylight hours | Free entry
If you haven't been to the Native Botanic Garden, you're missing one of the true gems of Shoalhaven Heads. Developed entirely by local parkcare volunteers on a one-hectare council reserve, this is community pride made visible — and it shows.
Wander the thoughtfully designed paths through a carefully curated collection of Australian native plants, including rare, endangered and bush tucker species, each with informative labels. Artwork in timber, stone, mosaic and metal is woven throughout the garden, making every corner worth exploring. Even the toilets get a mention — they're beautifully illustrated.
It's also a brilliant spot to pack a picnic. There's an electric BBQ, picnic tables, a children's playground, and public toilets on site. Birdwatchers will love it — native birds are a constant presence. Entry is free, though donations help the volunteers keep this incredible space going. There's also a water station on site for refilling your bottle.
Perfect for: Families, nature lovers, birdwatchers, a slow morning with coffee or BBQ lunch.
Jerry Bailey Reserve
Wagin Street, Shoalahaven Heads | Public toilets & BBQ & water bottle refill stations
Jerry Bailey Oval is a fantastic community hub where everything flows together for a great day out. In one corner sits the shaded Lions Park with its picnic tables, electric BBQ and public toilets. From there, the space opens up, home to an incredible lineup of wheels and sports facilities, before connecting right through to the 24-hour off-leash dog exercise area.
The skate park features a large concrete bowl with multiple sections — roll-in, extension, hips and a deep end — as well as a street section with quarters, banks and rails. Whether you're learning your first tricks or you've been skating for decades, there's something here for you. Right nearby, the basketball hoop adds the perfect spot for a casual shoot-around or a game of pickup with friends.
The Pump Track was a true labor of love for our community, born from years of local drive, fundraising, and passionate advocacy to give our youth a world-class space. Opened in June 2019 and professionally designed by Brett Barnes of DirtZTrack, this continuous loop of crests and berms is ridden by "pumping" rather than pedalling. A proud crown jewel of the precinct, it’s perfect for scooters, bikes, and skaters alike—and it’s genuinely hard to leave once you get rolling.
Alongside the pump track, the dedicated learn to ride track is the perfect addition for the littlest members of the family. This safe, smaller circuit allows toddlers and young kids to practice their balance and steering on wheels, completely separated from the faster riders.
The oval is also home to an off-leash dog park — bring the dog along and let them burn some energy while the kids do the same.
There are two water bottle refill stations and picnic tables on site. Toilets are available nearby. A great spot for a full afternoon of outdoor activity.
Perfect for: Kids and teens, toddlers learning to ride, skaters, BMX and scooter riders, basketballers, dog owners, and active families.
Shoalhaven Heads Memorial Park
David Berry Street, Shoalhaven Heads | Commemorative monuments and historic military displays | Tables
Located in the heart of town on Shoalhaven Heads Road and David Berry Street, the Shoalhaven Heads Memorial Park is a well-kept community space that honours Australia’s military history. Serving as the central gathering place for the town's annual ANZAC Day dawn services, the park gives visitors a chance to view unique local heritage, including an authentic 1942 25-Pounder Field Gun, a RAAF Winjeel Propeller, and a naval anchor.
A standout feature is the striking ANZAC Centenary monument, which was officially gifted to the Shoalhaven Heads RSL sub-Branch. Handcrafted from concrete by local artists Grant Findlay and Scott Stewart to resemble carved sandstone, these four detailed figures represent a WWI sailor, soldier, airman, and nurse. The park is also home to a living legacy: a historic "Lone Pine" descendant (Pinus halepensis) from the Gallipoli battlefields. You can read its incredible history through the Australian War Memorial
Perfect for: A moment of reflection, providing a meaningful setting to honour the town's history and respect those who served.
Shoalhaven Heads Public Swimming Pool (Village Pool)
Corner Shoalhaven Heads Road and McIntosh Street | Open December – March
Come summer, this little pool is pure Australiana. Surrounded by shady gum trees, a tall pine, and colourful locally produced murals, the Shoalhaven Heads Village Pool has a charm that bigger aquatic centres simply can't replicate.
The 25m lap pool is ideal for morning swims and keeping up fitness through the warmer months, while the shaded toddler pool means the littlest swimmers are well catered for. There are covered picnic areas, warm change rooms, and disabled access via a pool chair.
It's the kind of place where you end up staying longer than you planned — which is exactly as it should be.
Facilities: 25m lap pool, toddler pool, change rooms, showers, toilets, covered picnic areas. Season: Late November to late March.
Perfect for: Lap swimmers, families with young children, a hot summer afternoon out.
C H Gumley Reserve
McIntosh Street, next to Shoalhaven Heads Surf Lifesaving Club | Public Toilets
A local favourite for families, the playground at McIntosh Street gives kids a great place to burn energy in a relaxed neighbourhood setting — and with the Surf Club right next door, it's a well-placed stop for a full beach day out.
Perfect for: Young families, after-school afternoons.
River Road Reserve
River Road, Shoalhaven Heads adjacent to Holiday Haven | Public toilets, tables, BBQ, water bottle refill station
This reserve is everything you want from a riverside park. Sitting on the picturesque banks of the Shoalhaven River, it offers stunning views — particularly at sunset — alongside a small jetty, brand new playground, BBQ facilities, picnic tables and a water bottle refill station. Toilets are on site at the end of the road. Shoalhaven Heads Holiday Haven is right next door.
Birdwatchers will appreciate the reserve's position along the river — it's a well-known spot for pelicans, spoonbills and a range of coastal species.
Perfect for: Families, fishing, sunset picnics, birdwatching, a lazy afternoon by the river.
Pepper Park
Corner Oval Drive and Towers Road, Shoalhaven Heads
Pepper Park is a green community space serving the local residential area — a good spot to catch some fresh air, kick a ball around, or simply unwind in the open. A quiet, unhurried corner of the village.
Perfect for: Local residents, a casual outdoor break, bird watching.
Carters Corner
River Rd (southern end), Shoalhaven Heads | Public toilets & tables and Jetty
A scenic and convenient riverfront stopping point equipped with public toilets and a picnic table. Featuring a popular local jetty, it’s a fantastic spot for family fishing and serves as a key event hub for the Heads Fishing Club. Perfect for visitors and locals alike to stop, unwind, and drop a line. It also marks the gateway to the River Road Reserve 24-hour off-leash dog exercise area. See here for more info on off leash dog areas in Shoalhaven Heads.
Vic Zealand Reserve (Memorial Reserve)
100 Shoalhaven Heads Road | Public toilets
Centrally located in the heart of the coastal town, Vic Zealand Memorial Reserve is a community cornerstone. The reserve, including the oval, is a key gathering point for local sports and events, and public toilets are available on site.
Perfect for: Community events, local sport, open-air recreation.
Shoalhaven Heads Tennis & Pickleball Courts
Booner Drive, off Scott St
Tucked away next to the Vic Zealand Memorial Reserve, the Shoalhaven Heads Tennis Club is a vibrant, volunteer-run community hub perfect for both casual recreation and competitive play. In recent years, it has transformed into the area's most popular destination for Pickleball—the fast-growing, low-impact paddle sport that has taken the Heads by storm. Whether you’re a lifelong tennis player, a pickleball enthusiast, or a visitor looking for a social game, new players of all ages and skill levels are always welcome.
Facilities & Features
The Courts: 4 fully refreshed, re-fenced, and well-lit courts (2 premium synthetic grass courts and 2 hardcourts).
Pickleball Ready: Features two dedicated, newly marked pickleball courts, plus a multipurpose hardcourt lined for flexible tennis or pickleball play.
Amenities: A clubhouse, a spacious grassed and shaded picnic area with outdoor tables, a dedicated car park, and on-site bathroom facilities.
Equipment Available: Don’t have gear? The club provides tennis racquets, pickleball paddles, and balls for session players, with friendly regulars happy to teach beginners the ropes.
Weekly Social Schedule
Drop-in social sessions are informal, welcoming, and a fantastic way to meet locals.
Social Tennis: * Monday & Wednesday mornings: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Tuesday evenings: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Social Pickleball: * Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday evenings: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday mornings: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Saturday afternoons: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Court Hire & Fees
The courts are fully equipped with night lighting and feature an automated online booking system. Upon booking, a gate access code is emailed directly to you.
Casual Visitors: $10/session for daytime play | $12/session for nighttime play (under lights).
Club Members: Half-price session fees ($5 daytime / $6 nighttime). Annual memberships are incredibly affordable ($35 for adults, $25 for seniors).
Contact
Bookings & Membership: Bookings can be made online via the official Shoalhaven Heads Tennis Club Play Tennis Page or contact via Facebook
Shoalhaven Heads Community Centre
111 Shoalhaven Heads Road
The Community Centre is the social heartbeat of Shoalhaven Heads. Community managed and centrally located, it hosts everything from local meetings and events to classes and group activities. If you're looking to connect with what's on in the village, this is the place to start.
Check local noticeboard & community socials for upcoming events.
Boat Ramps
Three ramps, two currently operational
Shoalhaven Heads sits at the mouth of the Shoalhaven River, and getting a boat on the water here is straightforward — there are three public boat ramps in the village, though current conditions mean only two are fully recommended for standard use.
Hay Avenue Boat Ramp is a reliable concrete ramp also accessing the Shoalhaven River, featuring a fish cleaning station and a wash-down tap. A small memorial park with a bench seat sits alongside it, and there's a break in the mangroves that makes it ideal for kayak and canoe launches without dragging your hull across concrete. Public toilets are available just a short walk up the road.
River Road Boat Ramp (Holiday Haven end) features a floating pontoon, making it a versatile option for boarding and disembarking. While this end of the river is prone to sand build-up, the ramp remains operational for smaller vessels and tinnies. Whether you're chasing flathead and bream in the estuary, heading upstream for a lazy river cruise, or putting in a kayak for a paddle through the river mouth, the Heads is a brilliant base for a day on the water.
Wharf Road Boat Ramp, Use with caution. Located at the end of Wharf Road in the central village, has historically been a popular launch spot. However, the ramp is currently dilapidated and awaiting funding for a major upgrade. Boaters must use extreme caution here, as significant drop-offs have occurred where the concrete surface has broken away at the end of the ramp.
Reminder: A valid NSW recreational fishing licence is required for fishing from a boat in NSW waterways.
The Bottom Line
These community spaces are part of the fabric of Shoalhaven Heads. Whether you're visiting for a weekend or you've called this place home for decades, these parks, reserves and facilities are a big part of what makes the village such a great place to be. Pack the kids, the dog, a rod, a picnic — and go make use of them.
Know something we've missed or want to share what your favourite spot is? Let us know in the comments or tag us on socials. @visitshoalhavenheads