Berry, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Berry New South Wales
Berry Location in New South Wales
Population	2,467 (2021 census)
Postcode(s)	2535
Elevation	20 m (66 ft)
Location	143 km (89 mi) S of Sydney 23 km (14 mi) SW of Kiama 19 km (12 mi) NE of Nowra 11 km (7 mi) N of Shoalhaven Heads 214 km (133 mi) ENE of Canberra
LGA(s)	City of Shoalhaven
State electorate(s)	Kiama
Federal Division(s)	Gilmore
Localities around Berry: Bundewallah Broughton Vale Broughton Berry Mountain Berry Tasman Sea Jaspers Brush Far Meadow Shoalhaven Heads

Berry is a charming village in the Shoalhaven area of New South Wales, Australia. It is located about 143 kilometers (89 miles) south of Sydney. The village is known for its many old buildings listed on the New South Wales Heritage Register.

Berry attracts many visitors who enjoy its diverse scenery. You can find beautiful beaches, rich dairy farms, and forested mountains nearby. The village also hosts a local Produce Market twice a month. It is held on the second Saturday and fourth Sunday. Berry is a gateway to other towns along the South Coast of NSW. Major highway upgrades have made travel easier. This means less traffic in the village itself. Plans are underway to make the main street, Queens Street, more friendly for walkers.

History of Berry

Berry in 1896

The original people of this area were the Wodiwodi people. They are part of the Dharawal nation. The area was known as Boon-ga-ree. In the 1810s, a government surveyor named George William Evans explored the Berry district. He noted it was a good place for settlement. He also found valuable red cedar trees. Timber cutters soon came to harvest the cedar and send it to Sydney.

Alexander Berry and his business partner, Edward Wollstonecraft, started European settlement in the Shoalhaven region. This began in 1822. They received land grants south of the Shoalhaven River. Later, they got land north of the river, which included the Berry district. The area was first called Broughton Creek. It started as a private town in 1825. It was part of a large farm called "Coolangatta".

The first European settlers were seven free sawyers. They worked for Alexander Berry and camped there in 1825. Soon after, a tannery opened. A sawmill powered by a water wheel started in the 1840s. By 1866, Broughton Creek had grown into a substantial town. It had a post office, school, tannery, and store. An inn also opened across the creek. The population reached 300 people. The area was then declared a Municipality.

In 1873, Alexander Berry passed away. His brother, David Berry, became the owner of the estate. He helped the town grow. He created an Agricultural Showground. He also gave land to four churches. This allowed them to build places of worship in the town.

The town's name changed from Broughton Creek to Berry in 1889. This was done to honor the Berry family after David Berry's death. After his death, parts of the Coolangatta Estate were sold. The town continued to grow. It served the sawmilling and dairy industries. Since the 1980s, these industries have become less important. Now, tourism is a major activity for Berry.

Historic Places in Berry

Berry has several places listed for their historical importance. These include:

• Beach Road: David Berry Hospital
• Illawarra railway: Berry railway station
• 135 Queen Street: Berry Museum
• 58 Victoria Street: Berry Courthouse

Geography and Landmarks

April Sunrise in Meroo Meadow, just outside of Berry

The town of Berry is located on the South Coast railway line. It is also on the Princes Highway (Highway 1). This highway connects Nowra and Kiama. In the past, Berry relied on timber cutting and dairy farming. There was also a tannery and boat building.

Today, Berry thrives on tourism. It has many souvenir shops, art galleries, and antique stores. You can also find cafes, restaurants, and hotels. The David Berry Hospital was given to the town by the Berry family. It now serves as a rehabilitation hospital and a hospice.

People and Culture

In 2021, Berry had a population of 2,467 people. Most people (78.6%) were born in Australia. The next largest group (7.4%) was born in England. Almost everyone (93.3%) spoke only English at home. For religion, many people chose No Religion (37.0%). Anglican (21.0%) and Catholic (20.9%) were also common choices.

Berry has become more of an urban community than a farming one. Many city people have moved here. They enjoy a country lifestyle but can still easily visit Sydney. These people are sometimes called 'sea changers' or 'tree changers'. Most dairy farms have been divided into smaller 'hobby farms'. Berry's businesses now focus on tourists and the growing hospitality industry.

Berry is the first truly rural town south of Sydney. It sits on a coastal plain. Mountains are to the west, and the Tasman Sea is to the east. Berry is surrounded by many smaller districts. These include Broughton Vale, Foxground, and Toolijooa to the north. To the east are Far Meadow and Back Forest. Along the coast are the beaches of Gerroa and Seven Mile Beach. To the south are Jaspers Brush and Meroo Meadow. In the mountains to the west are Bundewallah and Kangaroo Valley.

Events in Berry

Berry hosts several regular events that attract both locals and tourists. These include:

• Country markets: Held on the first Sunday of each month.
• Berry Agricultural & Horticultural Show: Takes place on the first weekend in February.
• Musicale festival: Held throughout May and June.
• Garden Festival: Happens in October.

Berry is also home to sports teams. The Berry Magpies play rugby league. There is also a Berry netball team.

During the annual Berry Agricultural & Horticultural Show, there is a Showgirl Competition. Young women aged 18 to 25 participate. They are judged on their personality, knowledge of rural life, and communication skills. They also discuss local and international news. The judging includes a luncheon and individual interviews. The event ends with a formal dance. The winner is announced on Saturday night at the show. The winner then represents Berry at a regional competition. Winners from the region compete at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. This event promotes and encourages young rural women. It is not a beauty contest.

Notable People from Berry

• Alexander Berry (1781–1873): A Scottish merchant. He helped start European settlement in Shoalhaven.
• David Berry (1795–1889): Alexander Berry's brother. He helped develop farming in the Shoalhaven area.
• Jeff Carter (1928–2010): An Australian author, filmmaker, and photographer.
• Dorothy Cawood (1884–1962): A nurse and matron of the David Berry Hospital from 1928 to 1943.
• Bill Collins (1934–2019): A film critic, historian, and television presenter.
• Bettie Fisher (1939–1976): An Australian Aboriginal activist, singer, and theatre administrator.
• Garry McDonald (born 1948): An actor and comedian, known for "Norman Gunston".
• John McDonell (born 1943): A rugby league player.
• Broughton O'Conor (1868–1953): A politician and lawyer.
• Jennifer Robinson (born 1981): A human rights lawyer and Rhodes Scholar.