7 Reasons To Visit Milton, On The NSW South Coast
A beachside gem with serious charm
Bar Yuki, Milton
Image Credit: Shaun Clark
On the NSW south coast lies Milton, a hidden gem of a town with plenty of charm and style cred to match. Only three hours from Sydney and a shorter two-and-a-half from the Shire (lucky us!), it’s an easy drive that is well-worth a weekend (or week) spent enjoying all that’s on offer.
The perfect blend of country and coast, Milton lies tucked between verdant, hilly pastures and craggy coastline. And while it holds the quiet allure and close-knit community of a small Australian town, it’s far from boring.
Before you pack up the car and amble south, take a thorough read of our guide to eating, drinking and attractions in Milton, NSW.
7 things to do in Milton, on the NSW South Coast
Go For A Morning Beachside Walk
Being a coastal town - and a south coast town no less - Milton is a stone’s throw from some of Australia’s most beautiful, unspoiled beaches. If you have a furry friend, consider a visit to the secluded Collers Beach in Mollymook, or to Washerwomans Beach in Bendalong, complete with a creek that's perfect for puppy paddling. For a unique sight, make a quick stop at Boat Harbour near Washerwomans to check out the stingrays gliding through the shallow waters.
Image Credit: @sandy__skies
Have Breakfast At Milk Haus
Located just out of town, Milk Haus is a cafe-slash-restaurant with a mouthwatering menu and gorgeous grounds. Their breakfast and lunch options are derived from a paddock to plate ethos, as well as a love of good food and drink, and are created from scratch using ingredients from the on-site kitchen garden. Take a seat in their courtyard on a sunny day and soak it all up.
Enjoy An Afternoon Tipple At Bar Yuki
Bar Yuki is physical proof of Milton’s newfound status as a haven for creatives. Tucked away out of sight, the hidden Japanese-inspired hangout features poppy primary tones, moody lighting, an always-spinning turntable and retro-cool finds. The menu spotlights the founders’ love of Japan and contains a curated selection of wines, inventive cocktails, classic beers and delicious bites (including a few varieties of the cult-status ‘sando’). The establishment is still fairly fresh to town, but we expect its popularity is set to soar.
Image Credit: Shaun Clark
Get Inked At Blanc Space
Besties to Bar Yuki, the team at Blanc Space are just next door and ready to ink the more adventurous among us. Run by uber-talented Em Reid, Blanc Space started small but has steadily amassed an enormous following and rota of return customers thanks to their varied and ever-growing offering of artists. If you can manage to line up a trip, the studio famously runs an annual ‘Flash May’ event, which sees lines running down the street (conveniently past Bar Yuki!) and starts at $150 a piece.
Pick Up A Bunch At Fred
A few doors down again from Blanc Space is the studio of floriculturist and floral artist Laura Smith, aka Fred. Laura specialises in artful and vibrant bunches using seasonal, local and consciously-grown blooms (many of which she harvests from her own farm nearby) that connect both her and her customers to the natural world. From dainty posies to larger-scale creative pieces, picking up a bunch from Fred will undoubtedly brighten your day.
Browse The Boutique Stores
Homewares, fashion, vintage finds and nostalgic surf shops, you could easily lose hours to Milton’s selection of boutique stores. Our favourite picks include design-focused Comunete, Akwa Surf, Kindred Home Store, Plant Culture and Toka Ceramics.
Grab A Local Brew And Gastro-Meal At The Milton Hotel
The home of local brewhouse Dangerous Ales and a gastro-pub-style, hatted kitchen, The Milton Hotel is a cut above your local town pub. Recently restored by long-time locals, the hotel is a gorgeous spot to enjoy a lazy afternoon craft beer (whose cans star artwork by none other than Em Reid of Blanc Space) before delving into a seriously impressive menu. At the rear of the hotel is a sun-drenched deck that looks out to the ocean as well as a playground and courtyard for the kiddos.
Posted: April 2024