Susan Gough Henly’s write up of Mollymook and Milton – our “surf-and-turf” towns – was originally published in The Guardian and has some great recommendations and comments from locals. 

Endless beaches, lush farmland and the ripple effect of a certain seafood chef from Cornwall are just part of the community-minded NSW region’s story.

“You’re not considered a local in Milton unless you’re in a band, raise chickens and tend your own veggie patch,” laughs Katie Stidwill, co-owner of wholefoods cafe Milk Haus, set inside a converted cheese factory, surrounded by dairy farms. A surfboard roof rack on your car is also a must.

Set between emerald hills and the aquamarine sea, three hours’ drive south of Sydney, Mollymook and Milton are the gorgeous, surf-and-turf fraternal twins of Shoalhaven. Alongside their sensible sibling, the fishing port and service centre of Ulladulla, they offer white-sand beaches, massive waves, lush farmland, tranquil lakes, national park wilderness and very impressive golf-courses, if you’re that way inclined.

Thanks to the ripple effect of a certain seafood chef from Cornwall, the food and drink scene is also on par with an inner-city neighbourhood.

Renowned local big-wave surfer Brett Burcher, who’s also a teacher at the Milton public school, sums it all up nicely when he says: “we’re in a good paddock down here.”

Thanks to the ripple effect of a certain seafood chef from Cornwall, the food and drink scene is also on par with an inner-city neighbourhood. Rick Stein may have kickstarted the gourmet ecosystem a dozen years ago (several of his former chefs now run their own restaurants), yet the region has always brimmed with finelocal meat, eggs, dairy, produce and, of course, seafood.

Read the full article on theguardian.com