10 Amazing Things To Do In Kangaroo Valley For Couples

Ah, a Kangaroo Valley weekend is one for slowing down, gazing out at misty hills, chasing waterfalls and birdsongs, and filling your face with delicious cheese—you choose. As a romantic getaway from Sydney, Kangaroo Valley requires no defence; it makes its own case the moment you arrive.

Just two hours south of Sydney, in the South Coast NSW hinterland, Kangaroo Valley feels half European fairy‑tale, half rugged Aussie bush. Suspension bridges, sandstone cliffs, roadside cows with rolling green hills as a backstage. But also sunbathing water dragons, grazing kangaroos on the golf course, and some of Australia’s mightiest waterfalls.

Come fall in love with this place. And with each other.

Kangaroo Valley couples getaway: 10 best things to do

Paddle together: overnight kayak or canoe adventure

Nothing bonds two people quite like paddling a double kayak on a serene river, marvelling at the morning reflections (and surviving the steering debates).

Our favorite launch site is the Bendeela Recreation Area, the valley’s calmest and most easily accessible section of the Kangaroo River. Which way to go? Doesn’t matter for a daytime adventure — the scenery keeps dazzling whichever direction you choose. But if you plan to stay overnight, head west.

Tallowa Dam or Tigersnake Campground are both riverside campgrounds west of Bendeela Recreation Area. They both offer solitude and waking to mist drifting across the river. If you don’t have your own gear, you can book rentals, drop‑offs and pick‑ups through Kangaroo Valley Kayaks.

The Kangaroo River at Bendeela Recreation Area is really gentle, making it an ideal paddling experience for beginners. But if you feel more comfortable with a group, the Kangaroo Valley Adventure Company organizes guided kayak tours.

What to bring? Dry bag, waterproof phone pouch, and plenty of water if you’re going for a longer paddle.

Cool off at Nellies Glen in Budderoo National Park

This natural rock pool sits just upstream from Carrington Falls, beneath a small cascading waterfall and framed by ferns and sandstone cliffs. The water is clear and cold, and if you come early you might have it all to yourselves. There’s no beach, but you can put a towel down on the flat rocks, maybe share a thermos of your favorite spiced coffee. 

It’s one of those secret spots that locals still say quietly. Access is from the Nellies Glen picnic area (not the Carrington Falls picnic area, which is on the other side of Kangaroo River), and it’s just a few hundred meters walk away.

Hike to the panorama at Drawing Room Rocks

For couples who don’t mind a bit of legwork, this 3 km return hike out of Berry rewards every step. The track winds through bushland before opening to a cliff‑edge stage where sandstone “tables and chairs” (erosion’s fine sense of humour) overlook the Shoalhaven coast.

The walk is short but steep in parts, with exposed tree roots and rocky sections washed smooth by rain. Take your time; it’s perfectly doable if you stop for breath (and photos) along the way.

At the top, pick a “seat” on the wide sandstone platform with its natural tables and chairs and soak in the view: ocean glimmering in the distance, green farmland rolling below, and ridgelines fading into mist. It’s all unfenced, with sheer drops at the edges, but the platform is spacious enough to keep away from them.

Bring a small picnic and claim your own “table” for snacks above the valley — sunrise and sunset are the most magical!

Stay somewhere special

Romantic stays are a Kangaroo Valley specialty. Simply choose a style that fits:

Small town B&B: The Laurels B&B (adults only). This place carries a timeless charm, smelling faintly of wood smoke and fresh scones. Built in 1919 and set among rolling pastures at the edge of Morton National Park, it pairs old‑world ambience with modern comfort. Four beautifully furnished rooms offer king beds, and private ensuites, while mornings begin with a proper country breakfast served in the dining room. Outside, verandas overlook vegetable gardens and a chicken coop, and the village is just five minutes away. Check rates and book here!

Mobile home: Gumnut by Tiny Away. Do you think big comfort can fit perfectly inside a tiny home? Surrounded by mountain views and bushland calm, this petite retreat is ideal for couples or small families who like their getaways simple yet stylish. Inside, you’ll find clever design touches: a compact kitchen with everything from stovetop to fridge, and a comfy queen bed. Outside? Your morning coffee awaits with magpies as company. With air‑conditioning and modern amenities, this semi-camping experience makes you feel off‑grid without sacrificing the comforts. Check rates and book here!

Luxury stay for anniversaries: Wildes Hotel Kangaroo Valley. This boutique hotel is where Kangaroo Valley shows its elegant side: quiet luxury with leafy views in the heart of the village. Spacious rooms and suites open to private balconies or courtyards. Spend your days lingering by the pool, wandering through the village or indulging in Australian and Mediterranean food in the on-site restaurant. Check rates and book here!

No matter where you stay, expect misty mornings, star‑filled nights, and the occasional wombat as your uninvited dinner guest.

Wander historic Hampden Bridge + Riverside Park Beach

Walk hand‑in‑hand across Hampden Bridge, Australia’s last surviving wooden‑towered suspension bridge, its stone arches guarding the valley like a castle gate. Below, the river swirls slowly past sandbanks and picnic lawns at Riverside Park Beach — perfect for a dip on a hot day.

The small lookout on the Pioneer Village Museum side of the river also offers lovely views of this historic bridge.

Explore Kangaroo Valley Village & local food

The main street looks unchanged since the late 1800s with its heritage facades, verandas draped in flowers, and cafés that belong in Sunday morning postcards. Cafés, you say, but which ones exactly?

The General Café doesn’t only have superb coffee, but also serves organic sour dough bread and a changing menu of local, fresh, sustainable food. Great for brunch.

But my weakness is pies, the traditional Aussie meat pies, so the Kangaroo Valley Bakehouse is a stop not to miss. They make pies, pastries and bread on the premises every day, along with coffee and milkshakes.

Sweet-tooths can bond over caramelised fig artisan gelato at Sweet As Kangaroo Valley. It’s also a good place to stock up on handmade chocolate and lollies (no, you shouldn’t, really, you shouldn’t… but I know it sounds like convincing my son, and it probably has the same result).

End the afternoon with a craft beer or premium wine at Kangaroo Valley Fine Wines & Craft Ales.

Marvel at majestic waterfalls

Bring a camera, because the Southern Highlands escarpment pours into this valley through unforgettable cascades:

• Fitzroy Falls: plunges 81 metres into Yarrunga Valley, and you can easily walk to the lookout in a few minutes. The West Rim walking track (3.5 km return) gives access to further lookouts – Jersey Lookout (the first one) is my favorite, with the best frontal view of Fitzroy Falls!
• Belmore Falls: short (1 km), fenced track with four lookouts and picnic area.
• Carrington Falls Circuit: a short (600 m), paved path loops through open forest and ends at a fenced viewpoint.
• Minnamurra Rainforest Walk: the 4.2 km Lyrebird Loop & Falls Walk is one of the best rainforest walks in New South Wales! Bridges, lush canopy (and sunlight beautifully filtering through it), giant ferns, and spectacular Minnamurra Falls at the end.

Join a cooking class together

For something deliciously different, book a cooking class with a local host and focus on native ingredients. The Carramar Kitchen and Cottage in Cambewarra runs a variety of small group cooking classes, and they include not only cooking but also harvesting, recipe discussion, making new friends, eating and drinking. See what they have available here.

Go for a tandem beach skydive on the coast (15,000 ft!)

If you’re the kind of couple who likes shared heartbeats over matching bathrobes, this is your adventure. The Shellharbour Tandem Skydive on the South Coast combines adrenaline and coastline beauty.

You’ll step into blue sky at 15,000 feet and freefall over turquoise water at 200 km/h! About 60 seconds of pure, screaming joy that ends in a gentle beachside landing.

BIGWAVE SKYDIVE is a family‑owned company, and their experience includes the scenic flight, safety briefing, the freefall and a guaranteed beach landing right beside the new Shellharbour Marina. Book the tour here.

See glow worms at Cascade Falls in Macquarie Pass National Park

A night walk to Cascade Falls is pure magic — not because of the waterfall which you won’t see in the dark (it’s lovely by daylight, by the way), but because of the forest that glows. Of course, it’s not the forest but the glow worms that live here.

The trail is short and straightforward, which is a relief when you’re exploring by torchlight. Glow worms start to appear along the far riverbank before you even reach the falls, but the real wonder waits at the small dell just before them.

Look for a sloped metal walkway near the end of the track; just before it, turn right down the faint path leading to the old stone steps. Within a minute you’ll be standing beside the creek, surrounded by soft blue light. Here the glow worms cluster thickly across tree roots and rock walls, their glimmer mirrored in the still water when the night is calm.

I hope you won’t judge based on this photo, it’s so much better in real life!

Quiet awe guaranteed. Muddy shoes likely.

Tips for planning the perfect Kangaroo Valley weekend

When to visit: Kangaroo Valley is beautiful year‑round, but especially dreamy in spring and early autumn, when the air is soft, waterfalls are (hopefully) full (this heavily depends on recent rainfalls), and evenings still invite a fire. Summer can be toasty, yet the rivers and shady forest walks do their best to cool you off. Winter nights can be chilly, but sunny winter days are wonderful for hiking, paddling, and sightseeing.

What to bring: Don’t forget the wide‑brim hat, sunscreen, swimmers, and mozzie spray — the must haves on any Aussie outdoors adventure. Bring a dry bag or phone pouch if you plan to go paddling or swimming, and also that novel you’ve meant to start (or finish) for years. A soft picnic blanket comes handy anywhere with a good view.

Local happenings:

• February – Kangaroo Valley Show: country charm, wood smoke, and prize‑winning scones.
• October – Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival: guitars, poetry, and open‑air dancing.
• Year‑round: taste the local honey, olives, wine, and handmade chocolates.

The magic of a Kangaroo Valley romantic getaway

It’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing enough — paddling, wandering, tasting, and simply letting time stretch a little longer between good food and the sound of river water below the bridge. Slowing down and looking each other in the eye. Taking some of that deep calm home.